Michael Weiss, three-time U.S. National Champion Figure
Skater, accepted Phi Theta Kappa’s 2005 Distinguished
Alumnus Award during the Society’s International Convention
in Dallas April 15.
Weiss received the 2005 Distinguished Alumnus Award during
the Opening Ceremonies of the Phi Theta Kappa International
Convention on April 14. The Olympic skater and two-time
World Figure Skating Championship Bronze Medalist was nominated
by his Phi Theta Kappa chapter at Prince George's Community
College in Maryland.
“We do not bestow this prestigious award based on
accomplishments alone, instead we choose a nominee who also
lives out the ideals of Phi Theta Kappa,” said Society
Executive Director Rod Risley, in making the presentation.
“Michael Weiss certainly meets that criteria. In spite
of keeping a hectic travel and performance schedule, he
has found time to reach out to others and earned his reputation
as a champion BOTH on and off the ice.”
Michael has been honored for his support of charitable
and service organizations, including the Special Olympics,
the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, and Best Buddies, an organization
benefiting persons with developmental disabilities. He also
established the Michael Weiss Foundation to provide financial
support and inspiration to young skaters.
“For all of this, we wish to add another medal to
Mr. Weiss’s large collection of them,” Risley
said. “This medal does not proclaim a national or world
skating championship, but it does convey our Society’s
highest honor given to an alumnus.”
Dr. Charlene M. Dukes, Vice President for Student Services
at Prince George’s Community College, brought greetings
on behalf of the college, and Anson Kausenberger, President
of the Phi Theta Kappa chapter at Prince George’s Community
College, presented Weiss with a Phi Theta Kappa pin.
Weiss expressed his gratitude to the group and said that
in a world filled with athletic honors he was proud to be
inducted into Phi Theta Kappa for his academic achievements.
“Although my siblings and I were all athletes, my
father always stressed the importance of academics”
Weiss said. “Before very long my athletic career will
be over – I’m fortunate that I had the opportunity
for an outstanding education at Prince George’s Community
College.”
Weiss holds many firsts for skating achievements, including
being the first to land a back flip with a full twist -
a move known as the Tornado - in a professional competition,
in December of 2002.
He is also one of the first skaters to have earned the
U.S and World Junior Champion and U.S. Senior Champion titles.
Weiss is known as one of the few American men who can successfully
land a quadruple jump in competition.
His honors include a Skater of the Year Award and four
Performance of the Year Awards from Skating Magazine; U.S.
Olympic Committee Skater of the Year; and 1999 Father of
the Year, presented by the National Fatherhood Initiative.
Phi Theta Kappa was founded in 1918 and in the past 87
years has inducted almost 2 million honor students. The
Society began formally recognizing its Most Distinguished
Alumni in 1970. When appropriate, the Society has selected
a recipient who has, through their professional or personal
endeavors, provided substantive contributions toward improving
the quality of life on national or international levels.
In its 87 years of existence, Phi Theta Kappa has bestowed
this honor on only 34 individuals.
Past recipients have included journalist Jim Lehrer of
the McNeil-Lehrer Newshour, former United Nations Ambassador
Jeane Kirkpatrick, country music entertainers Rudy Gatlin
and Trisha Yearwood, industrialist H. Ross Perot, oceanographer
Dr. Sylvia Earle and musical conductor Gerald Steichen.
Headquartered in Jackson, Mississippi, Phi Theta Kappa
includes 1,200 chapters on two-year and community college
campuses in all 50 of the United States, Canada, Germany,
and U.S. territorial possessions. Approximately 100,000
students are inducted annually.-30-
http://www.ptk.org/about/
