History
OMICRON TAU THETA
http://www.ott.vt.edu/
http://people.ehe.ohio-state.edu/ott/
http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/ejournals/JCTE/
Omicron Tau Theta, a national honorary professional graduate society in vocational/career-technical education, was established at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville. The establishment of Omicron Tau Theta was commensurate with the growth and the valued public contribution of vocational/career-technical education in America.
Omicron Tau Theta, incorporated in 1976, in the State of Tennessee, was founded by Anthony G. Porreca, faculty advisor, and vocational/career-technical education graduate students at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Omicron Tau Theta was the outgrowth of the professional spirit of the vocational/career-technical education graduate students at The University of Tennessee. Recognizing the need for an organization which represented the commitment of vocational educators to furthering the purposes of vocational/career-technical education, Dr. Anthony Porreca, with the assistance of Ernest Brewer and Ruth Volz and other graduate students, made the first steps in the formation of the organization.
The idea for the organization was conceived by Dr. Porreca, who was serving as faculty sponsor of the Graduate Student Organization in the Vocational-Technical Education Department of The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, during the school year 1975-76. A committee was formed to study the feasibility of a national organization and to examine the constitution, by-laws, and operating procedures of other graduate honorary organizations. After determining that there was a need for a national honorary professional society in vocational/career-technical education, work progressed resulting in the development of a charter on February 22, 1976. Special credit should be given to Ruth Volz for the name Omicron Tau Theta; Ray Isenburg and Ernest Brewer for the constitution and by-laws; and Dr. Porreca, Ernest Brewer and Ruth Volz for the logo and its symbolism.
The establishment of Omicron Tau Theta came at a time when there was a need to unify the purposes of vocational/career-technical education in America. It represents the professional achievements which vocational educators have established. Ethical standards of professional, positive values in regard to human resources, and competency as a result of education, training, and experience characterize the members of Omicron Tau Theta. The organization was designed to represent the benefits vocational/career-technical education can contribute to the individual, to society, and to the workplace, as well as to foster the increased development of vocational/career-technical education in our society.
Omicron Tau Theta was established to improve and extend vocational/career-technical education by striving to:
- foster a closer relationship in the vocational environment, among schools, government,
business and industry, and members of the society; - further the professional influence of Omicron Tau Theta throughout universities, colleges,
schools, government agencies, and communities; - promote leadership in the field of vocational/career-technical education;
- promote the benefits of vocational/career-technical education in relation to the individual,
society, and work; - render service to members in their professional development;
- encourage research in the field of vocational/career-technical education and to acquaint the
membership with research achievement; - promote the friendly and helpful association of all members; and
- further the general welfare of those in the profession of vocational/career-technical education.
The goals of Omicron Tau Theta, along with the goals of vocational/career-technical educators, provide a unified effort for all special-interest groups. Commonalities of several professional endeavors are aimed at the improvement of vocational/career-technical education for youths and adults.
Omicron Tau Theta encourages chapters to be established at colleges and universities offering programs of vocational/career-technical education on the graduate level and where graduate vocational teacher education is a recognized area of instruction. Each chapter shall have an alphabetical name selected from the Greek alphabet and assigned in a sequence based on chapter establishment. At established chapters, eligibility for candidacy to membership in Omicron Tau Theta is available to any person who meets the following minimum requirements:
- The holding of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
- The completion of eight semester hours of graduate work, at least three hours of which shall
have been in professional vocational/career-technical education courses, in institutions in
which chapters of this society have been formed. The grade average in these eight semester
hours of credit shall be at least B or 85 percent. - Evidence of vocational/career-technical education as the candidate’s major field of interest.
Any regular member of the vocational/career-technical education instructional and supervisory staff of an institution at which a chapter of this society is located is eligible for candidacy. Outstanding leaders in vocational/career-technical education and government, in business and industry are eligible for honorary membership in the society, subject to conditions prescribed in the• By-laws. Each chapter is authorized to add to these minimum qualifications any which it deems desirable.
The name Omicron Tau Theta represents special significance to vocational educators. Omicron represents the cycle of human resources in society. It is human resources that are most valued to vocational educators and are a paramount resource in the world of work. Tau represents truth which each vocational educator must maintain when working with learners. Vocational educators must prize truth in decision making and truth in providing vocational programs for all people. Theta represents you, the individual vocational educator. You are needed to assure that the value of human resources is maintained and that truth in decision-making are assured for future generations.
Eta Chapter of Omicron Tau Theta
On December 1, 1979, Eta Chapter (The Ohio State University) of Omicron Tau Theta was formally chartered by National President Dr. Donald Richardson at the American• Vocational Association Convention in Anaheim, California.•
As the seventh chapter, the following members were initiated as charter members: Dewey A. Adams, Martin B. Parks, Larry E. Miller, Mark D. Harbaugh, Otto Santos, Jr., Donald Brannam, Gail M. Hamrick, Thomas R. White, Anthony A. Olinzock, James E. Sage, M. Eugene Hall, Daniel J. O’Brien, Blannie E. Bowen, Gerald F. Fisher, Eva L. Stomski, Roger L. Blaylock, Jerry G. Davis, Jynee L. Foust, Janice G. Granecki, William L. Hull, Elizabeth L. Kendall, Virginia T. Clay, and Susan C. Willis.
Nearly 500 career-technical educators have been initiated into Eta Chapter to date. Nearly 100 remain in the Central Ohio area or keep in contact. There have been five National Presidents of OTT from Eta Chapter: Maureen Kelly, William Hull, Wesley Budke, Debra Bragg, and Kirk Swortzel. The following individuals have served as president of Eta Chapter and provided leadership for Eta Chapter since its beginning:
1980-81 Martin Parks
1981-82 Jon Persavich
1982-83 Patricia Fornash
1983-84 George Wardlow
1984-85 Paul Unger
1985-86 Debra Bragg
1986-87 Steve Tirpak
1988 Linda Lee Buck
1989 Gayle Shibano
1990 Wes Budke
1991 Ann Vail
1992 Larry Farley
1993 Louise Vetter
1994 Mary Jo Paugh
1995 N.L. McCaslin
1996 Larae Watkins
1997 Robin White
1998 Andy Rezin
1999 C. Michael Loyd
2000 Sheila Thompson
2001 Vicky Warner
2002 Rebecca Parker
2003 Julie Novel
2004 Barbara Reardon
2005-06 Margaret Owens
2007-09 Advisor – Dr. Chris Zirkle
Document constructed by Dr. Wes Budke, May 11, 2004
Revised January, 27, 2009 by Dr. Chris Zirkle