Omicron Tau Theta, a national honorary professional graduate society in vocational 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 education in America.
Omicron Tau Theta, incorporated in 1976, in the State of Tennessee, was founded by Anthony G. Porreca, faculty advisor, and vocational education graduate students at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Omicron Tau Theta was the outgrowth of the professional spirit of the vocational 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 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 there was a need for a national honorary professional society in vocational 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 education in America. It represents the professional achievements which vocational educators have established. Ethical standards of a 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 education can contribute to the individual, to society, and to the workplace, as well as to foster the increased development of vocational education in our society.
Omicron Tau Theta was established to improve and extend vocational 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 education;
•promote the benefits of vocational education in relation to the individual, society, and work;
•render service to members in their professional development;
•encourage research in the field of vocational 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 education.
The goals of Omicron Tau Theta, along with the goals of vocational educators, provide a unified effort for all special-interest groups. Commonalities of several professional endeavors are aimed at the improvement of vocational education for youths and adults.
Alpha Chapter, the first chapter of Omicron Tau Theta, was chartered February 27, 1976 at The University of Tennessee with the initiation and installation of officers. On March 3, 1976, 22 charter members were initiated, making the idea conceived by the group of graduate students and Dr. Porreca a reality. During the same year, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, also petitioned, received its charter and initiated 21 charter members.
Word of the inception of Omicron Tau Theta was announced at the 1976 American Vocational Association Convention in Houston, Texas, where EPDA fellows from Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and representatives from Rutgers State University, New Brunswick, New Jersey, became interested in forming chapters at their respective schools.
1977: Gamma Chapter, Temple University, and Delta Chapter, Rutgers University, received their charters at the 1977 AVA Convention in Atlantic City, New Jersey, giving Omicron Tau Theta a total of four chapters. Gamma Chapter began with 45 charter memberships and Delta Chapter initiated 27 charter members.
The first OTT national officers were elected in 1977. There was a great deal of competition among graduate students at the four Chapter institutions to be elected to positions of leadership at the national level.
1978: Epsilon Chapter, State University of New York, Buffalo, New York, was the only chapter to be chartered at the 1978 AVA Convention in Dallas and began operation with 10 charter members. Epsilon started will a small membership and soon became inactive. However, Epsilon shall forever be reserved for the State University of New York at Buffalo.
1979: At the 1979 AVA Convention in Anaheim, California, two new chapters received their Omicron Tau Theta charters. Zeta Chapter, University of Connecticut, initiated 61 members at its first official meeting in April, 1980. Eta Chapter, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, began operation with 25 charter members.
Discussion began at the National Council meeting to publish a journal. Several individuals were named to begin work to structure the policies and procedures for a journal.
1980: Theta Chapter, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois, received its charter at AVA in New Orleans in 1980. With the addition of Theta Chapter, Omicron Tau Theta had grown to include eight chapters and over 400 members in six years. Its membership consisted of leaders involved in all phases of vocational education.
1982: At the National Council of Omicron Tau Theta held in conjunction with the AVA Convention in St. Louis, December 1982, Iota Chapter, Virginia Polytechnic Institute, Blacksburg, Virginia, was chartered.
1983: At the December 1983 meeting in Anaheim, California, Kappa Chapter, University of Wisconsin--Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, received its charter. Four noted leaders in vocational education were initiated as honorary members of OTT.
Dr. Robert Worthington, Assistant Secretary of Vocational and Adult Education, U.S. Office of Education
Dr. Gary Meers, University of Nebraska, current president of the American Vocational Association
Dr. Ray D. Ryan, Assistant Superintendent of Special Services in Arizona
Dr. Ralph Ruby, Arkansas State University
By virtue of their simultaneous initiation, these honorary members are affiliated with Kappa Chapter.
At the 1983 meeting, the first annual graduate research award was presented. Recipient of the award was Haskel Zeloff, graduate of the Rutgers University doctoral program. This award gives national recognition to outstanding research in vocational education.
Through the efforts of Anthony Porreca, a national advisor, and Alice Clark, Zeta Chapter, OTT pins were designed and are now available in gold or silver.
1984: The first issue of Journal of Vocational and Technical Education was published in November of 1984. JVTE is a refereed publication that emphasizes vocational education philosophy, theory, research and practice. It is sponsored and financed by Omicron Tau Theta. The successful fruition of a project of this magnitude requires the cooperation of many people. Special recognition to:
Penny L. Burge, Acting Editor
Maureen E. Kelly, Acting Editor-Elect
Jeffrey R. Stewart, Acting Publisher
Editorial Board Members: William G. Camp, Chair; J. Dale Oliver; Kaye Woodward; Dewey R. Adams; Charles Drawbaugh; and James R. Stone.
Lambda Chapter, Southern Illinois University at Carbondale was the eleventh chapter of Omicron Tau Theta when it was chartered at the 1984 council meeting in New Orleans. Dr. Marcia Anderson-Yates provided the leadership required for Southern Illinois University to become a chapter. She was the first sponsor of Lambda Chapter.
1985: The National Council meeting of Omicron Tau Theta was held in conjunction with the AVA convention in Atlanta, Georgia, in December, 1985.
The Journal of Vocational-Technical Education met with good response during the year and continued to receive recognition as an outstanding publication.
More OTT members attended the national meetings scheduled at AVA than in the immediate previous years, and the reception was especially well attended. Discussions relative to visibility included that of having a booth at the AVA exhibits.
Inactive status was accepted for two chapters, Epsilon at S.U.N.Y, Buffalo, and Theta at the University of Illinois.
Dr. Dewey Adams was named Executive Director in 1985 and several standing committees were appointed to formalize the organizational structure of the National Chapters. As is often the case in organizations, introspection is needed to explore avenues for further growth; 1985 marked this period of introspection.
1986: The 1986 National Council meeting was held in December in Dallas, Texas.
For the first time, the general membership meeting was held just prior to the annual reception. The reception was well attended. The National membership committee worked very hard during the year, developing a promotional package and corresponding with prospective chapters. Representatives from prospective chapters were invited to attend the reception to talk with OTT members.
Jeffrey Stewart, National Treasurer and Publisher, centralized the national mailing list so that copies of the Journal of Vocational-Technical Education could be mailed to individual members rather than to chapters for distribution.
1987: The 1987 National Council meeting was held in Las Vegas, Nevada, during the AVA convention. Theta chapter at the University of Illinois asked that its chapter be reactivated. All OTT supplies and official records from the files of each National Officer for the period 1977-1986 were updated, organized, and transferred to the Office of the Executive Director at The Ohio State University. A procedure was developed by National President Annell L. Simcoe for maintaining updated records and files in the Office of the Executive Director.
The first OTT Distinguished Service award was presented in 1987. It was awarded to Jeffrey R. Stewart, Iota Chapter, Virginia Tech. His outstanding contributions included serving as Treasurer of National OTT and first Publisher of the JVTE.
Dr. Charles H. Buzzell, Executive Director of AVA, was initiated as an honorary member of Delta Chapter during the general business meeting.
Two new chapters were chartered in 1985: Mu Chapter at the University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, and Nu Chapter, California State University, Long Beach, Long Beach, California.
The membership committee expanded its work under the leadership of Bill Price, Iota Chapter, Virginia Tech. Members of each of the Standing committees and Ad Hoc Committees were actively involved in their respective assignments. Committee membership and local chapter involvement was evident during each of the National meetings.
Annell L. Simcoe, National President, facilitated the work of local chapters, National Officers, and standing and ad hoc committees by compiling a National Officers' Handbook. The Handbook was mailed to each local chapter president and advisor, members of the National Council, members of the Editorial Board, and chairs of each standing and ad hoc committee.
OTT was experiencing growth and maturity as its members looked for and pursued opportunities to effect positive movement to improve and enhance the contribution of vocational education to the nation.
1988: For the first time in the history of Omicron Tau Theta, four chapters were chartered at the National Conference held in St. Louis. This reflected the commitment and work of Bill Price and Dewey Adams and members of the New Chapter Recruitment committee. North Carolina State University was chartered as the Xi Chapter; Pennsylvania State University the Omicron Chapter; University of Houston the Pi Chapter; and the University of Minnesota, the Rho Chapter.
For the first time Anthony G. Porreca was not in attendance at the National Council meetings. Dr. Porreca passed away during the summer. Jeffrey Stewart recommended that the "Outstanding Service to National Omicron Tau Theta" award be renamed the "Anthony G. Porreca Award for Distinguished Service to OTT" as a tribute to the founder and leader of Omciron Tau Theta.
Under the leadership of Maureen E. Kelly, the procedures for the "Outstanding Journal Article" award were begun. It was decided that awards for two previous volumes would be given each year until an award had been given for each volume of the Journal.
Annell L. Simcoe was named National Advisor.
1989: Prudence Holton and Milton Natusch worked very hard to review and update the Constitution and By-Laws. Changes were made to separate the work of the Publications Editor. That is, the Editor would be responsible primarily for the publication of the Journal of Vocational-Technical Education and an Editor-elect would be responsible for all other publications, including the newsletter.
Two chapters were chartered at the 1989 annual meeting held in Orlando, Florida. University of Nebraska was chartered as Sigma Chapter and Kent State University was chartered Tau Chapter. Dr. Patrick O'Connor provided the leadership required for Kent State University to become an Omicron Tau Theta Chapter.
The first Anthony G. Porreca award was given to Annell L. Simcoe. Approval was given for granting a research award for the outstanding master's thesis each year.
1990: Members celebrated the fifteenth anniversary of Omicron Tau Theta at the annual meeting held in Cincinnati, Ohio. Under the leadership of William G. Camp, Omicron Tau Theta would begin new linkages with the American Vocational Education Research Association and the National Council on Vocational Teacher Education.
Membership dues were increased from $7 to $10.
1991: B. Harold Anderson was instrumental in negotiating the first OTT, AVERA, and UCVE jointly sponsored reception. A joint program featured the "Dewey-Snedden Debate--A Recreation--" dramatized by Robert Beck (John Dewey), Bill Camp (David Snedden), James Benson (Charles Prosser), and Richard Lakes (Eugene Davenport).
Dewey Adams announced that he would end his term as Executive Director of Omicron Tau Theta at the end of 1992. B. Harold Anderson, OTT National President, asked William Hull to name a committee to search for an Executive Director.
1992: William Hull, National President, announced that a search committee to replace Dewey Adams as Executive Director had recommended Nevin Frantz, Jr. as the successor to Dr. Adams, effective in 1993.
The first international chapter was installed at the 1992 annual meeting held in St. Louis.
Ann Vail submitted a proposal for a 1993 program session sponsored by OTT. David Craig volunteered to assist with the project.
Member dues were increased from $10 to $15.
1993: The first OTT Professional Studies Seminar was held. David Craig and Barbara Malpiedi-Kirby led the initiative to solicit and referee papers. Research presentations at the first seminar were given by Mary Jo Belenski, Delta Chapter; Ann E. Echols, Donald E. Elson, and F. Marion Asche, Iota Chapter; Debra D. Bragg, Theta Chapter; B. June Schmidt, Iota Chapter; Mary K. Benedixen-Noe, B.J. Mitias, and William L. Hull, Eta Chapter; Arthur Monegain and Larry R. Jewell, Xi Chapter; Robert A. Sills, Delta Chapter; Donald L. Sloan, Theta Chapter; Barbara M. Kirby and Larry R. Jewell, Xi Chapter; and Beverly Richards, Terrance O'Brien, and Duane Akroyd, Xi Chapter.
Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, under the leadership of Dr. Reynaldo Martinez, Jr., was chartered Phi Chapter.
1994: Randy L. Joyner, Chair, JVTE Editorial Board, appointed Bob McGee, Jerry Gandis, Mary Jane Evers-Lush, and Blannie Bowen to a task force to study and make recommendations for electronic publishing of the Journal of Vocational-Technical Education.
President-Elect Wesley Budke was charged to oversee a By-Law change to include two new standing committees: the National Research Awards Committee and the New Chapter and National Development Committee.
1995: The Scottish School of Further Education, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, Scotland was initiated as the Chi Chapter.
1996: William G. Camp, JVTE Journal Editor, announced that the JVTE had gone online with its own home page at http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/ejournals/JVTE/jvte.html
Barbara Kirby was named Executive Director after Nevin Frantz resigned that position.
Two new standing committees were approved: the National Research Awards Committee and the New Chapter and National Development Committee.
Annell Simcoe, National Advisor since 1988, announced that she would step down as National Advisor effective with the December 1997 annual meeting in Las Vegas.