Chapter 19: William Ross Palmer (1984-1986): Standing in Front of Lions

William Ross Palmer served as president of Kappa Delta Pi from 1984-1986, leading the society towards its 75 th year anniversary. During the 1986 Convocation in Denver, Colorado, the theme, “75 Years of Commitment to Excellence in Education: Continuing the Quest” was present in all aspects of the meeting, from the presentations and speakers to the d’shirts and gold-trimmed coffee mugs which were for sale at the event (Palmer 1986a). For Ross Palmer, these lines from the KDP initiation ceremony embodied the ideals of excellence: “We greet you as fellows in the quest for a full, knowledgeable, and useful life. We are united in a profession whose challenge is to inspire young and old to grow by using their heritage” (Palmer 1984b, 96). Rather than simply being knowledgeable, excellence requires making a contribution to one’s society and community. In making such a contribution, the professional educator exhibits not only competence, but caring and diligence. Hence, only good persons, those concerned with the betterment of children and society, make for great teachers.