UA Welcomes Return of Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The University of Alabama chapter of Phi Kappa Phi honor society will hold an initiation ceremony Sunday, Oct. 5.

The chapter became inactive nearly five years ago, but now thanks to a new slate of officers, the chapter has been revitalized and will continue its tradition of recognizing outstanding students at UA.

“As a member of Phi Kappa Phi, I am honored to be part of this special community of scholars,” said UA President Robert E. Witt. “As a teacher, I value the opportunity to facilitate learning and community engagement that make a difference. As president of the University of Alabama, I am pleased that we will once again be able to recognize our best and brightest students with this distinguished and meaningful honor.”

Dr. Mark Nelson, interim vice president for student affairs, assistant provost for academic affairs and Phi Kappa Phi member, said reactivating the chapter brings positive opportunities to campus. “It is important for us to support membership in organizations like Phi Kappa Phi which recognize individual academic achievements and provide opportunities for service and engagement beyond the classroom. Having an active chapter of Phi Kappa Phi will enable our students to link into a network of relationship opportunities that will last a lifetime,” he said.

UA was granted a chapter of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation’s oldest, largest and most selective all-discipline honor society, in 1986. Since that time, more than 2,500 students who met the high academic standards of the organization have been initiated at UA.

Dr. Stacy L. Jones, director of student leadership in the UA Office of Student Involvement and Leadership, is coordinating the reactivation of the UA chapter of Phi Kappa Phi. Members interested in participating are encouraged to contact Jones at 205/348-6114 or phikappaphi@ua.edu.

Phi Kappa Phi 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.

More about Phi Kappa Phi
Founded in 1897 and headquartered in Baton Rouge, La., Phi Kappa Phi inducts annually more than 30,000 students, faculty, professional staff and alumni. The Society has chapters on more than 300 select colleges and universities in North America and the Philippines.

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, The Ohio State University head football coach Jim Tressel, writer John Grisham, opera singer Renee Fleming, journalist and broadcaster Deborah Norville and Netscape founder James Barksdale. The Society has awarded approximately $13.2 million since the inception of its awards program in 1932. Today, more than $800,000 is awarded annually to qualifying members and non-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.”