Greencastle native Perry named to Chi Alpha Epsilon

Monday, April 19, 2010

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio -- Owens Community College assistant professor of mathematics Dr. James "Rusty" R. Perry of Perrysburg has been chosen by the Chi Alpha Epsilon National Honor Society to serve as Deputy National Executive Director for the Ohio/Midwest Region.

Perry's responsibilities, along with that of fellow Board of Deputies members, is to provide leadership and guidance to the Chi Alpha Epsilon National Honor Society and its chapters with the overall goal being the continued advancement of the organization at the highest level of academic excellence.

The Chi Alpha Epsilon National Honor Society was founded at West Chester University of Pennsylvania in 1989 in response to the increasing need to acknowledge the continuing successes of students within the academic institution's academic development program. Recognizing that students who share similar experiences could serve as models for others, founder Dr. Elbert Saddler proposed a Greek letter honor society.

In 2001, Chi Alpha Epsilon received official endorsement from the National Association for Developmental Education. Today, there are over 150 chapters of the national honor society.

Owens' Gamma Zeta Chapter of the Chi Alpha Epsilon National Honor Society held its first induction ceremony in 2006.

The honor society promotes continued high academic standards, fosters communication among its members and encourages community service and participation in academic support programs where individuals may serve as role models to entering students.

"We are pleased that Dr. Perry will be bringing his enthusiasm for Chi Alpha Epsilon to the two-year institutions," said Dr. Elbert Saddler, founder and national executive director of Chi Alpha Epsilon National Honor Society. "The society extends its gratitude and looks forward to his contributions of energy, wisdom and insight in enabling Chi Alpha Epsilon to recognize deserving students and equipping them to serve as leaders at their institutions and for the nation."

Perry began his career at Owens as a faculty member in 1996. Since then, he has held several positions, which includes serving as Assistant Chair and Chair of the Math, Life and Natural Sciences from 2000-08.

Perry currently serves as Assistant Professor of Mathematics where he is responsible for teaching academic courses in statistics, developmental mathematics and accounting.

He has served on a number of committees and organizations at Owens, including Planning Council, the North Central Association Focus Group and the Chair Load Task Force. He currently serves as Chair of the Academic Standards Committee and the Mathematics Department Operations and Technology Committee. Additionally, Perry, an Owens Leadership Academy graduate, is a Co-Advisor for the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and one of several Advisors for Chi Alpha Epsilon Honor Society.

His community and professional involvement includes serving as past president of the Ohio Association of Two-Year Colleges, a principle investigator for the National Science Foundation Grant for Computational Sciences and a Higher Learning Commission AQIP peer reviewer.

Perry, a 1975 Greencastle High School graduate, earned his doctorate in higher education administration from the University of Toledo. Additionally, the Greencastle native holds master's and bachelor's degrees in educational administration and accounting, respectively, from Indiana State University. He is the son of James F. Perry and the late Roberta Perry.

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