Membership
Admission to the Honor Society
of Phi Kappa Phi is by invitation only and requires nomination and approval
by a chapter in accordance with the bylaws of both the chapter and the
national society. Both require superior scholarship and good character
as criteria for membership. Phi Kappa Phi is an honor society, not an honorary
society or fraternity. Membership is earned; it is a true honor. Meeting
Phi Kappa Phi criteria signfies excellence which, in turn, signifies distinction.
Because of their outstanding records, members of Phi Kappa Phi often are
preferred candidates for grants, scholarships and fellowships for graduate
study. When they seek jobs, they find their Phi Kappa Phi membership is
widely accepted as an indicator of academic ability and motivation.
Click
here to update your membership information.
Eligibility
To be considered for membership
in Phi Kappa Phi, a student must be in the top 10 percent of the senior
or graduate class or a second-semester junior in the top 7.5 percent of
his/her class. Sound character is a supporting criterion. Faculty and alumni
are chosen for outstanding contributions to their fields.
Our
purpose
The Honor Society of Phi
Kappa Phi's primary objective is the recognition and encouragement of superior
scholarship in all academic disciplines. The society is convinced that
in recognizing and honoring those persons of good character who have excelled
in scholarship, in whatever field, it will stimulate others to strive for
excellence. Moreover, the society serves the interests of the student capable
of excellence by insisting that in order to acquire a chapter of Phi Kappa
Phi, an institution provide the means and atmosphere conducive to academic
excellence.
Our
history
In 1897 a group of 10 students
at the University of Maine, who perceived a need for an honor society on
broader lines than any then in existence, was assisted by interested professors
to organize the Lambda Sigma Eta Society. A year or so later the name was
changed to the Morrill Society, in honor of the sponsor of the Congressional
Act which provided for land-grant colleges.
In 1900 it was transformed
into a national society by action of a committee composed of the presidents
of the University of Maine, the University of Tennessee, and Pennsylvania
State College (now The Pennsylvania State University). The chapters in
these institutions are the founding chapters.
The society was renamed Phi
Kappa Phi, from the initial letters of the Greek words forming its adopted
motto: "Philosophia Krateito Photon," roughly translated as "Let the love
of learning rule humanity." Phi Kappa Phi currently has chapters in institutions
from Maine to the Philippines and from Alaska to Puerto Rico.
Southeastern's chapter was
chartered and installed on May 11, 1956.
Our
badge
Phi Kappa Phi's badge, which
apprears on the key, is a globe against the background of the sun, whose
rays form an expansive corona and radiate in a number of symmetrical concentrations
from behind the globe. These signify equivalence among the various branches
of learning and represent the dissemination of truth as light. Encircling
the globe is a band containing the Greek letters for Phi Kappa Phi and
symbolizing a fraternal bond which girds the earth and binds the lovers
of wisdom in a common purpose.
Publications
As a benefit of membership,
Phi Kappa Phi produces two major publications.
Its printed magazine, Phi Kappa Phi Forum, features in each issue
a variety of articles on topics of interest, both timely and timeless,
designed to appeal to the diverse membership of The Honor Society of Phi
Kappa Phi. An electronic magazine called the Honor Cord is
posted three times-per-year and focuses on topics such as job search techniques,
presentation skills, and post-graduate study. A monthly e-mail communication,
Monthly
Mentions, also was created to keep members informed of exclusive Phi
Kappa Phi activities and opportunities.
Scholarship
& Award Information
The Honor Society of Phi
Kappa Phi's ongoing commitment to excellence is reflected in its scholarships
and awards programs. More than $800,000 is awarded each year to outstanding
Phi Kappa Phi members and chapters through the Society's various awards
competitions: the Fellowship, Phi Kappa Phi Scholar & Artist, Emerging
Scholar Awards, Study Abroad Grants, Literacy Grants, and Love of Learning.
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