Phi Kappa Phi chapter receives national honor
Bloomsburg University’s chapter of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation’s oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines, is now considered among the nation’s best after receiving the society’s highest commendation.
The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi recently recognized BU’s chapter as a Circle of Excellence Platinum Chapter in recognition for exceeding expectations in chapter operations and demonstrating sustainability and vitality as a chapter.
In its second year the Circle of Excellence program recognized 108 chapters, including 32 with the Platinum distinction. The Platinum honor is given to chapters that scored a perfect 100 on a criteria scale that evaluates chapter health indicators. Phi Kappa Phi currently has chapters on more than 300 campuses in the United States and Philippines.
By receiving the Platinum distinction, BU’s chapter is recognized as a thriving organization that holds annual initiations, upholds the society bylaws, regularly attends chapter training opportunities and submits a chapter-endorsed nominee to the Phi Kappa Phi Fellowship Program.
“This achievement is a testament to our student chapter members who value scholarship and our faculty chapter members who mentor these scholars," said Christina Force, chapter president, associate professor of business education. "In addition, our chapter has a dedicated officer team that works to uphold Phi Kappa Phi’s mission — 'Let the love of learning rule humanity.'"
Among the chapter’s highlights, according to Force, include:
Megan Burns, student vice president, was selected to be on the national organization's Council of Students. In that capacity she attended the national Student Leadership Summit and Bienneial Phi Kappa Phi Convention in Minneapolis, Minn.
Lisa Stallbaumer-Beishline, director of TALE, professor of history, served on the national selection committee for the Phi Kappa Phi Graduate Fellowship.
Force attended the Biennial Phi Kappa Phi Convention in Minneapolis, Minn.
The chapter participated in Phi Kappa Phi Visibility Day and conducted a book drive, as well as donated non-perishable items to the Hungry Husky Food Pantry.
The chapter held a recognition ceremony for sophomores based on outstanding academic performance in the freshman year.
The chapter gave a cash award to our graduate fellowship nominee.
The chapter held a lunch for members and several executive board meetings.
The chapter held an information meeting for invited students.
The chapter initiated 150 undergraduate and graduate members and six faculty members in a ceremony in Mitrani Hall with a guest speaker.
“In the past, we’ve had individuals who received literacy, graduate fellowship, Love of Learning and Study Abroad Awards,” Force said.
Chapters achieving the Circle of Excellence Platinum distinction receive:
a commendation letter from the Society sent to chapter officers and campus administration
special recognition on the Phi Kappa Phi website
specially-designed logo for use in chapter communications
choice of a $300 cash award or applicable event registration grant
About Phi Kappa Phi
Founded in 1897 at the University of Maine, Phi Kappa Phi is the nation's oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines. Membership is by invitation only to the top 10 percent of seniors and graduate students and 7.5 percent of juniors. Faculty, professional staff and alumni who have achieved scholarly distinction also qualify. Since its founding, more than 1.5 million members have been initiated. Some of the organization's more notable members include former President Jimmy Carter, NASA astronaut Wendy Lawrence, novelist John Grisham and YouTube cofounder Chad Hurley. Each year, Phi Kappa Phi awards nearly $1 million to qualifying students and members through graduate and dissertation fellowships, undergraduate study abroad grants, and grants for local and national literacy initiatives.
