President Emeritus of Dickinson College Receives Distinguished Achievement Award
Carmel, IN - On June 11, 2016 Theta Chi Fraternity presented Dr. Bill Durden (Pi/Dickinson 1971) with the Distinguished Achievement Award. The distinction was presented by Executive Director Michael Mayer during Pi Chapter’s Centennial Celebration.
Brother Durden received a bachelor’s degree in German and philosophy from Dickinson College in 1971. He then received his Ph.D. in German Language and Literature from John Hopkins University. Following his graduation, he became a Fulbright Scholar at the University of Basle in Switzerland. Brother Durden also served as a Klingenstein Fellow at Columbia University and an American Council of Learned Societies Fellow in Wolfenbuettel, Germany. Additionally, he was an officer in the U.S. Army working in the intelligence branch.
Most recently, Dr. Durden was the founding Dean of the School of Business and Entrepreneurship at Bath Spa University (UK). He had a 14-year tenure as President of Dickinson College and currently serves as a professor in the liberal arts college. Prior to this, Brother Durden served as the President of Sylvan Learning Systems, Inc. (now known as Laureate Education, Inc.) and Vice President of Academic Affairs at the Caliber Learning Network. Before his leadership with these two companies, Dr. Durden was a member of the German Department at John Hopkins University and the Executive Director of the Center for Talented Youth (which he founded).
The U.S. State Department consulted Brother Durden for 11 years as he chaired an advisory committee on exceptional children and youth. It was during this time that he also was consulted by former Prime Minister Tony Blair for the same topic in the UK.
Dr. Durden has published a number of works ranging from liberal arts, German literature, international education policy, and gifted education. He continues to speak at events across the world and publish work.
"It was my pleasure and privilege to present Brother Durden with Theta Chi’s Distinguished Achievement Award," said Executive Director, Mike Mayer. "His accomplishments are a true testament to Theta Chi's Maxim of Alma Mater First and Theta Chi for Alma Mater."
Of the over 180,000 members who have been initiated into Theta Chi Fraternity, only 63 men have received the Distinguished Achievement Award. Dr. Bill Durden is number 64. The Distinguished Achievement Award was created to recognize alumni for extraordinary accomplishments outside of the Fraternity, which may include success in business, government, academia, athletics, entertainment, in the community, and/or any other appropriate field.
Pictured above is Dr. Bill Durden receiving the Distinguished Achievement Award from Executive Director, Mike Mayer.
Founded in 1856, Theta Chi Fraternity is a men’s collegiate fraternity with more than 180,000 initiated members and has established 235 chapters. Leadership development, personal development, and service to alma mater are fundamental to Theta Chi Fraternity’s mission.
