Jack W. Thornton
| Jack W. Thornton | |
 | |
| Name | Jack W. Thornton |
| Chapter | Tau East Carolina University |
| Date Inducted | 02/02/1977 |
| Roll Number | T 862 |
| Alumni Chapter/Assoc | |
| Honorary Member | |
| Major | |
| Birthdate | |
| Spouse | |
| Nicknames | |
| Awards | Distinguished Service Key |
Dr. Jack W. Thornton (born DD MMM YYYY) is an Honorary Member of Tau Chapter (T 862) at East Carolina University.
Contents
Early Fraternity Life and Career
Jack Thornton received his Bachelor of Arts from Blackburn College in Carlinville, Illinois in 1960. Dr. Thornton went on and received his Ph.D in Resource Economics in 1968 from University of Missouri.
Dr. Thornton came to East Carolina University in 1965 as an "ABD" candidate (all but dissertation). He progressed through the ranks of professor from Assistant Professor, Associate Professor and Full Professor. He was granted Full Professor Emeritus in 1998 when he retired from East Carolina University. Although retired, Dr. Thornton continued to teach through 2001 under a phased retirement plan offered by East Carolina University.
Dr. Thornton became an honorary member of Tau Chapter in January 1977 and took over the Faculty Advisor role in May 1977. He served in this capacity for 21 years until his retirement in 1998.
National Involvement
- National Historian (1977-1978)
- National Vice President (1978-1980)
- National President (1980-1982, 1986-1988)
Bigs and Littles
Dr. Thornton never served as an official big brother to any one initiate at Tau Chapter but served as role model and father figure to countless brothers over his time as Faculty Advisor. Dr. Thornton continues to engage the initiate class as he extends an invitation to each initiate class for food and discussion of past years.
Further Resources
Other Interesting Facts
Dr. Thornton and Mary Kathryn Thornton started an endowment at East Carolina University in 1982 called the Jack Welland and Mary Kathryn Thornton Phi Sigma Pi Scholarship. This scholarship was first given in 1983 to Tammy King and Denise Gerad as the outstanding initiate for their respective initiate classes.
Dr. Thornton and Mary Kathryn Thornton also organized and conducted a service project that raised money for the endowment that was called Exam Survival Packages. This was done for five years in the late 1980's and early 1990's. It was canceled when the university saw how successful it was and decided to do their own exam packages through the housing department.
Mary Kathryn Thornton also taught at East Carolina University and was made an honorary member of Tau Chapter in 1989.
Dr. Thornton was honored as the Outstanding Alumni for Tau Chapter in 1998. That same year, Dr. Thornton received the Tau Chapter Service Key for all of his hard work as Faculty Advisor and his continued presence with the Chapter after his retirement.
In 2008 Dr. Thorton received a Distinguished Service Key for his outstanding service to the fraternity. He was presented the award by David Batts and Jeffrey L. Johnson.
| National President | ||
| Preceded By Gerald W. Burkhardt, Sigma |
Term 1986-1988 1980-1982 |
Succeeded By Steven A. DiGuiseppe, Sigma |
| National Vice President | ||
| Preceded By Richard Robinson, Beta Gamma |
Term 1978-1980 |
Succeeded By Richard J. Donald, Iota |
| National Historian | ||
| Preceded By Charles Kordonowy, Pi |
Term 1977-1978 |
Succeeded By Richard J. Donald, Iota |
| Tau Chapter Advisor | ||
| Preceded By Richard C. Todd |
Term 1977-1998 |
Succeeded By David L. Batts |
