University of Findlay Recognized as a Phi Kappa Phi Chapter of Merit

The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi — the nation’s oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines — recently recognized The University of Findlay chapter of Phi Kappa Phi as a Chapter of Merit. The award is given to chapters that excel in recognizing and promoting academic excellence in all fields of higher education and engaging the community of scholars in service to others.

The Chapter of Merit distinction is a part of the Society’s Chapter Recognition Program, which acknowledged 73 chapters, including 54 as a Chapter of Merit. Thirty-two chapters received chapter recognition in 2011.

“The sharp rise in the number of chapters that have achieved recognition this year is impressive. It shows our chapters aspire to live Phi Kappa Phi’s mission to recognize academic excellence, starting on their own campuses,” said Society Executive Director Dr. Mary Todd. “Chapter officers are volunteers with a deep commitment to Phi Kappa Phi — they are to be commended for their tireless effort on behalf of students.”

By receiving the Chapter of Merit distinction, The University of Findlay chapter is recognized as a thriving organization that meets frequently, holds annual initiations and applies frequently for Phi Kappa Phi’s select scholarships, grants and fellowships.

“The University of Findlay’s chapter of the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi is exceedingly pleased and honored to receive the organization’s Chapter of Merit award,” said Anne Albert, chapter president and assistant professor of mathematics. “The award comes just two years after the charter class was initiated and reflects the dedication of the officers and members. Our chapter has strived to foster academic excellence and service to others on our campus. Recent activities include the Honors Tournament, Graduate Funding event, Operation Christmas Child and Soles for Souls. Each February, a new class of high achieving students and faculty/staff/alumni is initiated.”

Chapters achieving the Chapter of Merit distinction receive:
• a commendation letter from the Society sent to chapter officers and campus administration
• special recognition on the Society’s website and publications • specially designed logo for use in chapter communications
• recognition advertisements in local media and educational journals
•$500 award

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. The Society has chapters on more than 300 select colleges and universities in North America and the Philippines.

More About Phi Kappa Phi

Founded in 1897 and headquartered in Baton Rouge, La., Phi Kappa Phi is the nation’s oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines. Phi Kappa Phi inducts annually approximately 32,000 students, faculty, professional staff and alumni. The Society has chapters on more than 300 select colleges and universities in North America and the Philippines.

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 million members have been initiated. Some of the organization’s more notable members include former President Jimmy Carter, NASA astronaut Wendy Lawrence, novelist David Baldacci and YouTube cofounder Chad Hurley. The Society has awarded approximately $14 million since the inception of its awards program in 1932. Today, nearly $1 million is awarded each biennium to qualifying students and members through graduate fellowships, undergraduate study abroad scholarships, member and chapter awards and grants for local and national literacy initiatives. The Society’s mission is “To recognize and promote academic excellence in all fields of higher education and to engage the community of scholars in service to others.”

For more information on Phi Kappa Phi, please call 800/804-9880 or visit www.PhiKappaPhi.org.