History of AED
Alpha Epsilon Delta
The First Eighty Years- 1926-2006
Rev. Joseph L. Walter, CSC - Honorary National President
Donald Schreiweis, Ph.D. – National Treasurer
Dr. M. L. Moore was affiliated with Alpha Epsilon
Delta almost from its founding and so was well-qualified to give the
history of AED, "The First Sixty Years," which he published
in The Scalpel, Spring 1986. This is a most comprehensive history of
the first sixty years of AED. The reader should refer to that issue for
a detailed history of AED from 1926 to 1986. The Rev. Joseph L. Walter,
CSC, Honorary National President prepared a history of AED to commemorate
the 75th Anniversary of AED. In, Alpha Epsilon Delta, The First Seventy-five
Years – 1926-2000, Fr. Walter summarized
Dr. Moore’s history and added some detail for the next fifteen
years. In the following historical account, the history of AED is updated
to provide details for the past five years as we approach the 80th Anniversary
of AED.
The birth of AED occurred in the spring of 1926 when Dr. Sidney
A. Mitchell discussed his idea of forming an honorary fraternity at the
University of Alabama with fellow premedical students and Dr. Jack Montgomery,
professor of organic chemistry and premedical advisor. Minutes of the
first formal meeting appeared under the date of April 28th, 1926 and
state: " A
meeting of about 15 premedical students was held in the lecture room
of Toumey Hall for the purpose of further organizing the AED honorary
premedical fraternity which has been under way for some time. The proposed
constitution which had been drawn up by Mr. Mitchell was read, discussed
and referred to a committee which included Mr. Mitchell with instructions
to make any necessary alternations and draw up a ritual and by-laws
for the fraternity. The 1926-27 school year was devoted to completing
the organization of the new fraternity and developing a program of
activities. The first initiation of new members was held on March 4th,
1927 following the election of eight students who had completed at
least three semesters of premedical work and whose grades placed them
in the upper fifth of their class and one faculty member.
The University
of South Carolina became the first organization from another school to
petition for a chapter and a charter and membership certificates were
sent to the club which arranged a program and banquet on May 20th, 1928
and became the South Carolina Alpha Chapter. Expansion continued at that
time with Alabama Beta at Stamford University in Birmingham, Texas Alpha
at the University of Texas on January 20th, 1929 and Texas Beta at Baylor
University on April 11th, 1929.
An interesting note in the history was
that the original constitution as drawn up by the founders had limited
membership to male students; however, in February 1929 an amendment was
adopted which admitted women to membership and two women were initiated
on February 15th, 1929.
A convention was called for April 18-19th, 1930
at the University of Alabama so all chapters could share in the responsibility
of forming a body to govern the society. During the planning for that
convention, a petition was received from the premedical club of the University
of Florida and their representative, Maurice L. Moore, was initiated
at the meeting and the group installed Florida Alpha on May 3rd, 1930.
This was the first participation in Alpha Epsilon Delta of Dr. Moore,
who continued his most important involvement in the society until his
illness in 1996. At this first convention, delegates from five chapters
and the representative from Florida, met to transfer the national administration
from Alabama Alpha to the national officers which adopted a national
constitution and by-laws and provided for holding national conventions
at regular intervals. The selected first national officers were Maurice
L. Moore, National President, James Norwood of South Carolina Alpha,
National Vice President, Almon C. Stabler, Alabama Alpha, National Secretary,
William H. McMurray, Alabama Beta, National Treasurer, Leland S. Evans,
Texas Alpha, National Historian, and Dr. Jack P. Montgomery, Alabama
Alpha, the Honorary National President. Among his first actions as national
president, Dr. Moore initiated a policy of stimulating the individual
chapters to develop a program of activities to benefit their members
and other premedical students so as to become a strong organization among
the students and faculty on their campus. The convention authorized
publication of a journal to be known as The Scalpel and Dr. Moore undertook
preparation of the first issue and continued to edit the magazine, along
with his wife Charlotte M. Moore, until their retirement from the editorship
in 1987 at which time Dr. Hugh Bateman of the University of Mississippi
continued the publication.
Under Dr. Carmichael's initiative, AED became
an associated society of the American Association for the Advancement
of Science on October 28th, 1936. During the next several years there
were several national treasurers who worked very hard for the society
and under their direction the financial affairs of the society became
established on a very firm foundation.
The 25th chapter, Mississippi
Gamma, was established at Mississippi State University on December 10th,
1938 and AED reached the west coast with the installation of California
Alpha at the University of Southern California on March 19th, 1939 and
California Beta at the University of Redlands on March 20th, 1939. By
September 1940 there were 31 chapters with a membership of 2500.
The
1942 convention was held under World War II restrictions at West Virginia
University with delegates from 28 of the 33 chapters in attendance as
well as three national officers. Since Dr. Poe, the National President,
was on active duty in the Army, Dr. Moore, the National Secretary, served
as presiding officer during the convention. At that convention, Dr. Norman
F. Witt, faculty advisor of Colorado Alpha and professor at the University
of Colorado was elected National Treasurer and began his long tenure
as a national officer. Due to the drafting of many premedical students
and various specialized training programs affecting many universities,
it was decided to postpone the 1944 and the 1946 conventions, although
the national officer’s
reports were published in The Scalpel and distributed to the chapters.
Following
efforts over several years, AED was elected to membership in the Association
of College Honor Societies (ACHS) April 23rd, 1945. Dr. Moore served
as the AED representative to the ACHS Council from 1945 to 1980 and was
president of ACHS in 1952-53. The total membership of AED passed the
5,000 mark in April 1946 and the Society was incorporated as a non-profit
educational organization in Michigan August 1949 and re-incorporated
in the District of Columbia in 1962. The 50th Chapter, Indiana Alpha,
was installed at Indiana University on November 5th, 1949.
March 21-24
1951 was a great occasion for AED as 286 members, guests and national
dignitaries attended and participated in a four day program at The University
of Alabama in celebration of the 25th Anniversary of the society's founding.
Special recognition was given to the founding members and their advisor,
Dr. Jack Montgomery. A luncheon was held for the 25 chapter faculty advisors
attending the convention in appreciation of their cooperation and contribution
to the local chapters and national society. This custom has been continued
at subsequent conventions. The total membership passed the 10,000 mark
in spring 1951, reaching 25,000 in 1954 and was over 50,000 at the time
of the 50th anniversary convention in 1976.
Four regional conferences
were sponsored by AED in December 1954 and spring 1955 for medical, dental,
preprofessional advisors and educators to discuss, question and evaluate
the findings and recommendations of the Severing House Survey Report
of that time. Over 750 educators attended and AED received considerable
favorable national publicity and recognition for the program. The 25th
volume of the Scalpel was completed with the publication of the summer
1955 issue. The 75th chapter, Arizona Alpha, was installed at Arizona
State University on May 24th, 1960.
Two very important national officers
and leaders in AED for many years were elected at the 1960 convention.
Dr. Norman Witt was elected as National President and Fr. Charles V.
Reichert, faculty advisor of Rhode Island Alpha and professor of biology
at Providence College was elected to begin a long term of distinguished
service as National Treasurer.
As the number of chapters increased and
widely distributed throughout the nation, the 1962 convention designated
a grouping of chapters into five regions of the country with a director
to be elected for each region and voted to hold national conventions
on the divided basis as deemed desirable by the national officers. The
first divided convention was held in the spring of 1964 with sessions
at the University of North Carolina, Baylor University, University of
Kentucky, Lehigh University and the University of Nevada, Reno. The wisdom
of holding divided sessions was evidenced with a combined attendance
totaling 304 persons for the largest attendance in AED's history at that
time.
For many years AED maintained close contact with
the Association of American Medical Colleges and for many years, at the
annual AAMC meeting, usually in Washington, D.C., the National President
hosted a luncheon for GSA members, AED members, medical admissions committees
and chapter faculty advisors in attendance as well as student members
of chapters in the area. The response was encouraging and was continued
on an annual basis until 1990 when the agenda of the AAMC meeting became
so crowded that a mutually convenient time for the luncheon was almost
impossible.
Through the generosity of loyal alumni, the first
alumni medical school expense scholarships were awarded in 1966 to five
members entering their first year of professional school, one award to
each of the five regions. Over the years, more Alumni Scholarships have
been awarded and up to five per region.
A landmark was reached when the
100th chapter was added to the role with the installation of South Carolina
Gamma at Clemson University on February 20th, 1971, just 45 years after
the founding of AED. At the 1972 convention, Dr. Norman F. Witt of Colorado
Alpha retired after 45 years on the faculty at the University of Colorado
and was honored with a plaque and citation in recognition of his thirty
years of devoted service as a national officer of AED and was named Honorary
National President. Dr. Virgil L. Tweedie, faculty advisor of Texas Beta
at Baylor University, the National Counselor, was elected National President
to succeed him.
The University of Alabama was selected for the festive
occasion March 30th-April 3rd, 1976 when more than 500 members and guests
met for the 21st National Convention to celebrate 50 years of service
to premedical students and premedical education. The program is outstanding
with many distinguished leaders of the health professions and 90 chapters
were officially represented with 58 chapter faculty advisors also attending.
Five of the ten past National Presidents were present; certificates of
appreciation were presented to the founders and to the five national
presidents (Drs. Gerhed, Moore, Carmichael, Witt and Tweedie). With 112
chapters and a membership of over 50,000 the founders and members could
celebrate the Golden Jubilee with pride and pleasure in the Society’s
accomplishments. Mrs. Charlotte M. Moore, executive secretary 1936-1980,
was honored with a citation at the convention luncheon and Dr. M. L.
Moore was presented with a gold watch by the national officers.
Major
changes were made in the leadership of AED at the 1980 convention at
the University of Kentucky when there was an attendance of over 500.
Dr. and Mrs. M. L. Moore announced their desire to step down as National
Secretary and Executive Secretary, pointing out that the operations of
the national office were outgrowing the facilities of their home. As
a result, arrangements were made with the University of Alabama in Huntsville
to provide a home for the national office under the direction of Dr.
Bobby G. Moore, formerly faculty advisor of Alabama Alpha Chapter at
Tuscaloosa and local chairman for the 50th Anniversary Convention in
1976. Dr. and Mrs. M. L. Moore agreed to continue editing The Scalpel
and the AED Newsletter as well as handling alumni affairs, including
the Scholarship Program. In recognition of the many years of their devoted
service in helping build, promote and develop AED, the convention established
the Maurice and Charlotte Moore Scholarship Fund and from that time on
one Moore Scholarship has been awarded to an outstanding graduating premedical
students in each of the five regions. Paul R. Elliott, Ph.D., of Florida
Alpha was elected National President succeeding Virgil L. Tweedie who
then became National Counselor. Dr. Elliott was a founder member of the
Southeastern Advisors to the Health Profession and served as chairman
of the AAMC Group on Student Affairs and on many AAMC committees and
study groups. Rev. Joseph L. Walter, C.S.C., Ph.D., Indiana Gamma and
Chairman of the Department of Preprofessional Studies, University of
Notre Dame was elected National Vice President, Charles V. Reichert,
0.P., Ph.D., Rhode Island Alpha, was re-elected National Treasurer. By
the 1980 convention, the total membership of the society passed the 70,000
mark.
At the convention awards luncheon, Dr. Julian Frankenburg,
faculty advisor of Illinois Gamma, University of Illinois and executive
director of the National Association of Advisors to the Health Professions
(NAAHP) presented a plaque from NAAHP to Dr. Maurice L. and Mrs. Charlotte
M. Moore for their many years of service in promotion of premedical education.
With
the fall 1981 issue The Scalpel completed the publication of its 50th
volume. An examination of the material appearing in The Scalpel during
its first 50 years reveals a rich heritage. It has been the source of
information for students on medical and dental school applications and
admissions requirements and procedures, general articles on premedical
and medical education and articles of general interest. Recent editors
have continued the excellent and professional publication of The Scalpel.
The 25th National Convention of AED convened at the University of Alabama
at Birmingham March 22-24, 1984 with an exceptional program and attendance
of 472. Dr. Bobby G. Moore had asked to be replaced as National Secretary
and Thomas L. Pearce, Ph.D., Ohio Theta, Virginia Gamma, preprofessional
health advisor at the University of Virginia was elected to succeed him
and the national office was relocated to the University of Virginia.
Rev. Joseph L. Walter, C.S.C., Ph.D., Indiana Gamma, University of Notre
Dame and National Vice President, was elected National President to succeed
Dr. Paul R. Elliott. Dr. Bobby Moore was elected National Vice President,
Dr. Reichert was re-elected National Treasurer, and Dr. Tweedie as National
Counselor. In February 1984 the 144th chapter was installed at Saint
Louis University and on March 11th the 145th chapter was installed at
the University of New Orleans.
In 1985, two new chapters were installed,
bringing the chapter roll to 147 and by December 31st 1985.
As the 60th year approached, AED membership totaled 83,379.
The 60th
Anniversary National Convention was held as divided sessions at three
sites: Fort Worth, Texas, Chapel Hill, North Carolina and Columbus, Ohio.
All three conventions participated in celebrating AED's 60th Anniversary
and service to the preprofessional student with educational programs,
business sessions, social functions and great premedical fellowship.
The National Vice President, Bobby G. Moore, Ph.D., provided the leadership
for the development of the educational program format for "Convention
86" with input from other national officers, regional directors
and individual chapters. The convention theme was "Undergraduate
Preparation for the Study of Medicine: Opportunities, Limitations and
Horizons”. In
all, seventy-six of the one hundred thirty-four chapters sent 431 members,
including faculty advisors to the split session conventions of 1986.
Texas Zeta, Texas Christian University, North Carolina Beta, University
of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Ohio Alpha, Ohio State University,
were presented certificates of appreciation as the host chapters of the
60th Anniversary Convention at the awards luncheon.
The 28th National
Convention was divided into three regional conventions. There was a large
turnout and a most lively convention in Atlanta as Region III gathered
in early March of 1990 at Emory University with a great keynote address
given by Dr. William Roper from the Center for Disease Control. The second
meeting of the 28th National Convention was held in a very warm and sunny
Tucson, Arizona, where Regions IV and V had a fairly large turnout to
hear several panels discussing the problems of medical ethics as well
as discussions of admissions and discussions of the various practices
of medicine available, such as HMO, academic role and solo practices.
The third meeting of the convention was held in April 1990 in Philadelphia
and included members from Region I and II. Also, during this past biennium,
the membership in AED increased with the installation of several chapters,
including Southern Methodist University, Southern Utah State University
and the University of West Florida installed in 1990 and in 1991 there
chapters were installed at San Diego State University, University of
Tulsa and George Mason University. This great expansion during a ten-year
period from 1980 to 1990 represented a 19% increase in the number of
chapters, which had risen to 162 at the end of 1991 and also saw the
initiation of the 100,000th AED member in the spring of 1991. Also during
this biennium, Dr. Charles V. Reichert, the very capable treasurer of
AED, retired after some 25 years of dedicated effort. Dr. Eugene Jeckel,
Michigan Beta, Hope College, Holland, Michigan, became National Treasurer
of the society. Dr. Norman F.Witt, who served the society for 30 years,
passed away in October 1990 and was very much missed at the 28th National
Convention.
The 29th National Convention of AED was held in Region
II in St. Louis, Missouri, March 19-21, 1992, with Missouri Beta as the
host chapter. The attendance was quite good with 375 delegates, faculty
advisors and members attending and representing 77 active chapters. A
highlight of the convention was a three-hour cruise on the Mississippi
River aboard the Belle of St. Louis riverboat. A career fair was held
with admissions representatives from many professional schools present
to meet with students, advisor, and guest and provide them with information
about medicine, dentistry, optometry, podiatry, and veterinary medicine.
At the 1992 National Convention Rev. Joseph L. Walter, CSC, retired as
National President and became Honorary National President for life as
well as having Dr. William Dorgan, the National Vice President, also
retiring in order to take up responsibilities with the NAAHP. Dr. Norman
G. Sansing, the premedical advisor at Georgia Alpha at the University
of Georgia, was elected as National President with Thomas G. Davenport
remaining as National Secretary. There was growth again in chapter expansion
with Washington University in St. Louis being installed on March 18,
1992, Stephens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, New Jersey, becoming
New Jersey Beta on May 6, 1992, University of Texas at San Antonio becoming
Texas Lambda on May 11, 1992, and the University of Minnesota-Minneapolis
becoming Minnesota Alpha and chapter 166 on April 30, 1993. With these
installations and memberships from all chapters, the society's total
membership was 109,000 as of December 31, 1993. Also at the 29th National
Convention, Dr. P. Wayne Ayres at East Carolina University was elected
National Treasurer a position he held until he retired in February 2000.
A 30th National Convention of AED, held in 1994 again was a meeting
in split sessions in Tampa, Florida and Houston, Texas. The host chapters,
Florida Delta and Texas Delta and Texas Epsilon had outstanding programs
with the keynote speaker, Dr. Harry Jonas, Director of Undergraduate
Medical Education of the American Medical Association at the Tampa Meeting,
and Dr. "Red" Duke,
a trauma surgeon at the University of Texas in Houston for the Houston
Meeting. Dr. Duke is a former medical school dean and chaired the LCME,
the committee that accredits U.S. Medical Schools. Dr. Duke is probably
best known as a TV personality who gave medical news over CNN and is
highly sought after as a banquet speaker. Both keynote speakers are outstanding
physicians and excellent in other medically related endeavors.
The 1994-95
biennium again saw growth in the society with the installation of Pennsylvania
Mu at Franklin and Marshall College at Lancaster, Pennsylvania, on January
29, 1994, Rhode Island Beta at the University of Rhode Island in Kingston,
Rhode Island, on April 30, 1994, Texas Mu at Trinity University in San
Antonio, Texas, on December 2nd, 1994, and Pennsylvania Nu at Muellenberg
College at Allentown, Pennsylvania, on October 15th, 1995, representing
Charter 170. With this installation and registration of new members,
the society membership was 116,580 as of December 31st, 1995.
This brought
AED to the 31st National Convention in March 1996 with the host chapter,
Alabama Delta at the University of Alabama, Birmingham, and Dr. Bill
Dorgan, the National Vice President as program chairperson. Dr. Harry
Jonas, M.D., of the American Medical Association was the keynote speaker
for this convention. Dr. Norman Sansing and Dr. William Dorgan were re-elected
as National President and National Vice President, Thomas Davenport remained
as National Secretary and Dr. Wayne Ayers remained National Treasurer.
Dr. Virgil L. Tweedie, National Counselor and Rev. Joseph L. Walter,
CSC, rounded out the national officers of the 31st National Convention.
The
regional directors at this convention represented faithful regional directors: Annette
O'Connor, Ph.D. of Pennsylvania Delta at LaSalle University, Region I,
elected 1990, Dr. Donald 0. Schreiweis of Missouri Beta at Saint Louis
University, Region II, elected 1988, Dr. T. G. Jackson, Alabama Zeta,
University of South Alabama, Region III, elected 1992, Manfred G. Reineke,
Ph.D., Texas Zeta, Texas Christian University, Region IV, elected 1984,
and Charles P. Rose, Ph.D., Nevada Alpha, University of Nevada-Reno,
Region V, elected in 1990. Dr. T. G. Jackson of Region III was elected
in the 32nd National Convention as the National Vice President and was
replaced by Mrs. Jeannie Thomley of the University of Alabama as the
new Region III Director.
In the fall of 1994, Dr. M. L. Moore suffered
a serious stroke and Charlotte Moore had some serious health problems
requiring hospitalization and very slow recovery to health. Dr. M. L.
Moore was not able to attend subsequent conventions. AED suffered a great
loss with the death of Dr. M. L. Moore December 24, 2004. Dr. and Mrs.
M. L. Moore dedicated much of their lives to AED as a labor of love and
all who knew them miss their insights and contributions to the success
of AED. At the Convention 1996, there were approximately 400 present
from the five regions and the members were educated with good informative
topics such as "How Medicine Will Be Affected by the HMOs," "Financing
a Medical Education," "Medical Jurisprudence," and "How
to be a Smart Test Taker". There were also sessions on careers such
as public health, osteopathic medicine, dental school, optometry, interviewing
skills and how to take a physical exam. Music and dancing was part of
the social time allotted. Dr. Neil Schulman of Emory University
School of Medicine and the author of "Doc Hollywood" was the
banquet speaker.
On January 17, 1997, another pillar of AED passed
away. The Rev. Charles V. Reichert, OP, the faculty advisor of Rhode
Island Alpha and premedical advisor at Providence College was also the
National Treasurer from 1960 until 1988. He never missed an AED convention
from 1954 to 1988, attended many AED chapter installations and also spent
many hours meticulously assisting in the financial growth of AED. Dr.
M. L. Moore, at that time, put this loss in words: "Charlie Reichert's
passing leaves a void in all our lives."
The 1998 AED National Convention
was held March 19-21, 1998, in Fort Worth, Texas, and hosted by Texas
Zeta Chapter at Texas Christian University. The convention was fairly
well attended by advisors, chapter delegates and other members of the
chapters from around the nation with an attendance of some 400 total.
Dr. Mike Magee, the senior medical advisor for the Pfizer Company, gave
the keynote address. It was a great motivational and inspiring address.
After the business meeting and lunch on Friday, there were group workshops
which covered many topics including the professions of dentistry and
optometry as well as the allied professions of pharmacy and physician's
assistants as well as topics about foreign medical schools, participation
in community service was discussed, how to take tests was covered and
the business aspects of medicine was also discussed. Another general
assembly was held at which Dr. Ray Olson, D.O., spoke about virtues in
medicine. There was an evening barbeque dinner at the Stockyards Station.
At the business meeting, Dr. Sansing was elected again as National President,
Dr. T. G. Jackson of Alabama Zeta, University of South Alabama was newly
elected as Vice President, Dr. Cletus Sellers, Jr., Virginia Epsilon,
James Madison University, was newly elected as the National Secretary,
while Dr. Wayne Ayers was retained as the National Treasurer, Dr. Virgil
Tweedie remained as National Counselor and Rev. Joseph L. Walter as Honorary
National President. The University of Texas-Dallas was installed as the
newest AED chapter, Texas Nu, at the convention. The
convention was closed in the evening with the AED Award Banquet in the
Grand Crystal Ball Room. With the end of that biennium, AED had a total
of 172 chapters and a society membership of approximately 125,000.
As
the 75th Anniversary Convention approached several notable changes occurred.
One of the most important was the relocation of the National Office to
the campus of James Madison University under the leadership of the National
Secretary, Dr. Cletus Sellers and the Administrative Assistant, Mrs.
Fonda Weaver. The relocated National Office was quickly established with
positive effects resulting in rapid and efficient response to questions,
processing of National Memberships, and issuing of membership certificates.
Efforts were initiated to organize Society records and computerize record
keeping. An excellent system was established. The 75th Anniversary Convention
was held in Memphis, Tennessee March 23-25, 2000, with Tennessee Delta
Chapter as the official host. Planning for the convention was under the
capable leadership of Dr. T. G. Jackson, National Vice President. This
was an excellent and memorable convention. In February 2000, Dr. Wayne
Ayers retired from the position of National Treasurer. Dr. Donald Schreiweis
of Saint Louis University and Director of AED Region II, was appointed
by the Board of Directors to complete Dr. Ayers term. Dr. Schreiweis
was elected to the position at the National Convention and continues
to serve as the National Treasurer. Dr. T. G. Jackson was elected National
President and Dr. David Pennington of Baylor University was elected National
Vice President. Dr. Sellers remained National Secretary and Dr. Virgil
Tweedie remained as National Counselor. Mrs. Karen Paulsen of the University
of Illinois-Urbana-Champaign was elected Region II Director.
The 2002
National Convention was held in Orlando, Florida. This 34th National
Convention was an excellent convention organized by David Pennington,
National Vice President. Many excellent speakers presented inspiring
talks. An evening at the Florida Mall highlighted the Friday evening
free time. The warm Orlando weather, gave the students an early
start on a Spring break outside in the hotel pool, while the speakers
provided some insight into the changes in the medical profession.
Dr.
Pennington resigned as National Vice President and Suzette Combs of Xavier
University/University of Cincinnati was elected National Vice President
and program chairperson for the 2004 National Convention. Dr. T.G. Jackson
was re-elected National President, Dr. Sellers was continued as the National
Secretary, Dr. Donald Schreiweis continued as the National Treasurer
and Dr. Virgil Tweedie as the National Counselor. Dr. Frank Dyer retired
Chapter Advisor of Tennessee Delta Chapter, University of Memphis was
appointed by the Board of Directors to replace Dr. Sellers as the National
Secretary in June 2003.
The 35th National Convention was held March 2004
in Crystal City, VA (Washington, D.C.). This was a truly outstanding
convention and very well attended convention. The highlight of this convention
was the keynote presentation by The Surgeon General of the United States,
Dr. Carmona. He talked about his education and struggles and the difficulty
of entering medical school and his eventual success. He remained after
the presentation to meet individually with students and faculty advisors,
sign autographs, and have pictures taken with convention attendees. Dr.
Mike Magee of Phizer Pharmaceutical Company also presented an excellent
talk that was also inspiring. The AED Constitution and By-Laws were extensively
rewritten and updated by the National Officers to reflect the current
administrative structure of the Society and bring them into agreement
with governing documents such as the Articles of Incorporation. Voting
delegates at the convention unanimously approved the revised Constitution
and By-Laws. Dr. Virgil Tweedie was recognized for his many years of
service to Alpha Epsilon Delta. Dr. Virgil Tweedie retired from his many
years of service as Regional Director, National President, and National
Counselor. His steady, calm approach to problems and issues is greatly
missed by the AED Board of Directors. The institution of a new $5,000
scholarship in honor of Dr. Virgil Tweedie was announced by the National
Treasurer at this convention. The first recipient of the Virgil Tweedie
Scholarship was Chad Coe of Michigan Gamma Chapter at the Michigan State
University.
Expansion of chapters through 2005 brought the number of
installed chapters to 190 with this installation of California Theta
Chapter at the University of California Los Angeles
Dr. Virgil Tweedie
announced his retirement after many years of outstanding service to AED.
Dr. T.G. Jackson, Dr. Donald Schreiweis were re-elected to their respective
offices. Suzette Combs, National Vice President was elected National
Secretary. Dr. Frank Dyer was elected National Counselor and Sharon Schnarre
of the University of Toledo was elected National Vice President and chairperson
for the 2006 convention to be held in St. Louis, Missouri. Missouri Beta
Chapter at Saint Louis University will be host c.
Organization of AED
