Chapter Update - February 2018

By Kay White
Chapter Development Director

Chapter officers at the University of the Philippines recently shared that they celebrated the 85th anniversary of their chapter by planning a campus-wide “jubilee” which included a presentation of awards and contests promoting excellence. This celebration of excellence kicked off with an Opening Salvo called “Pagdayaw” (meaning roughly "to celebrate" or "to cheer").

Awards were given as a special recognition to members of Phi Kappa Phi who exemplified excellence for lifetime achievement, distinguished achievement in their fields, and exemplary service. The categories of awards were chosen to strongly echo the mission of Phi Kappa Phi—to recognize and promote academic excellence in all fields of higher education and to engage the community of scholars in service to others.

The chapter also sponsored contests of excellence, about excellence, or for excellence in the arts, sciences, social sciences, engineering, and technology for students on all campuses of the University of the Philippines. Categories included best visual arts, literary works, significant research in the fields listed above, and best lyrics for a new hymn for the chapter. All categories were open to all disciplines highlighting the interdisciplinary nature of the Society. The contests were opened six months prior to the celebration to give applicants time to have materials ready.

We at the National Office hope that all events culminated in truly a celebratory time at Chapter 045!

If you have an activity from your chapter or a chapter member that you would like to highlight, please email Kay White.

Photo provided by Phi Kappa Phi Chapter 045, University of the Philippines

Connect with the Phi Kappa Phi Network

As a member of Phi Kappa Phi, you have access to the Society’s global network of more than 100,000 members—including great minds in science, government, law, education, business, sports, literature, the arts and just about every other field imaginable. Take advantage of the resources below to connect with fellow members across the globe!

Social Media
Join the conversation online by visiting our Social Media Directory where you'll find links to national and chapter social media accounts. Whether you are looking to read the latest news, see photos of Phi Kappa Phi happenings, network with other members or stay up-to-date on chapter events, Phi Kappa Phi social media is the place to be. Click here to connect with us today!

Link
Link is Phi Kappa Phi's exclusive members-only community where you can share ideas, discuss hot topics, post questions, search for and connect with other members, and more. Visit Link.PhiKappaPhi.org to sign in using your Phi Kappa Phi login credentials and complete your profile to become a part of the community today!

Access Link Anytime, Anywhere
The Link app allows you to network on the go! Select your device below to download the app and access the community anytime, anywhere:

   

Expert Directory
The Expert Directory is a searchable database designed to help members connect with potential speakers, authors, and other authorities across all disciplines and topics.

If you are an expert in your field, we invite you to customize your expert profile. Getting started is simple. Click here to log in and edit your expert bio and professional status, select the topics in your field of expertise, customize your expert profile URL, and upload past presentations. A simple step-by-step guide is available should you need assistance. Click here to download it now.

Visit Link.PhiKappaPhi.org/Network/ExpertDirectory to start browsing the Expert Directory today.

We look forward to connecting with you soon!

Questions? Contact Jamie Chapman at jchapman@phikappaphi.org or 800.804.9880, ext. 217.

Apply to Serve on Phi Kappa Phi’s Council of Students

Phi Kappa Phi is now accepting applications for its 2018-2020 Council of Students. The Council, comprised of student vice presidents from chapters across the nation, serves as the student engagement committee for the Society.

Established in 2007, the Council is tasked with enhancing communication with student vice presidents, planning and hosting a student leadership conference, and interacting with student vice presidents in the Society’s five divisions, among other tasks.

The Council of Students, per the Society Bylaws, consists of no fewer than five members, representative of the student membership as a whole. These students will gain valuable leadership skills and will communicate regularly with staff at the national office and the two student representatives who serve on the Board of Directors.

“Being part of the Council made me feel an important part of my chapter. I made sure to help others feel important and essential as well,” said Ana Lu Ramirez, a 2016-2018 Council of Students member. “I mobilized my chapter and we accomplished events and chapter growth. We hosted a book drive and a member drive. It was a fantastic experience, and I highly recommend it to all the students.”

The Council will meet for the first time at the 2018 Convention in Minneapolis, Minnesota, August 1-4, with all expenses covered by Phi Kappa Phi. The Council will also be expected to attend and take a leadership role in the Student Leadership Summit held in July 2019 at a location to be determined. The opportunity to serve on the Council requires a commitment to serve through the 2020 biennium, when the Society selects its next Council of Students.

“The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi has given me numerous opportunities to expand my horizons outside the academic setting and get engaged in the community services,” said Amreen Mughal, a 2016-2018 Council of Students member. “Council of Students is a platform for me to connect with hundreds of other chapters to learn and effectively share new ideas to fulfill the motto of the Society, ‘Let the love of learning rule humanity.’ ”

Interested in applying? Download the Council of Students application for full eligibility requirements and submission instructions. All applications must be submitted via email to kwhite@phikappaphi.org by May 25, 2018.

Last Call for Board Nominations

Phi Kappa Phi is currently seeking nominations for its Board of Directors and Divisional Vice Presidents for the 2018-2020 biennium. 

Nominations will be accepted through Thursday, February 15.

Society members can serve a two-year term in one of 14 positions:

• President-elect 
• Vice President for Chapter Development 
• Five (5) Directors 
• Two (2) Student Representatives 
• Five (5) Divisional Vice Presidents 

If you are interested in nominating a candidate for election, please visit the Call for Nominations page.

Beyond Books: Phi Kappa Phi Literacy Grants

The very definition of literacy, in addition to the ability to read and write, is competence or knowledge in a specified area. Phi Kappa Phi's Literacy Grant Program recognizes the many facets of literacy and encourages applicants to go beyond books.

Grants of up to $2,500 are currently available for Phi Kappa Phi chapters and individual members to fund ongoing literacy projects or to create new initiatives. The Literacy Grant Program welcomes proposals for projects ranging from traditional reading initiatives to those fostering learning in cultural, digital, financial, health, historical literacy and beyond.

Click each icon below to see previous grant winners spanning a number of fields:

                           

                             

The deadline to apply for a Literacy Grant is April 1, 2018. To learn more and apply, click here. If you have questions, contact Kelli Partin at kpartin@phikappaphi.org.

Vote for Your Favorite Graduation Photo

Thanks to everyone who submitted photos to the 2017 Fall Graduation Photo Contest! We received more than 200 submissions of Phi Kappa Phi members proudly wearing Society recognition apparel on their big day.

After much deliberation, Phi Kappa Phi staff members narrowed the field to 10 outstanding entries. Now we need your help to pick the winners!

Click here to vote now! (Please note the system limits entries to one vote per device/IP address.)

If you are on a shared internet connection, such as an office or university, you may need to cast your vote from a mobile device not connected to Wi-Fi.

Voting closes Sunday, February 25, at 11:59 p.m. Central time. The winning entries will receive an Amazon gift card and appear in various Society marketing and promotional materials.

Secrets to Grad School Admissions Webinar

Do you know what it takes to get into grad school? The process isn’t always easy, and the number of applicants and test scores are on the rise at many of the top schools. You’ll need great advice along the way and The Princeton Review can help!

Join us on Monday, February 12, at 9 p.m. EST, as a Princeton Review instructor shares expert tips and insights into the grad school admission process, and learn exactly what it takes to get accepted. Along with a special offer from The Princeton Review, topics will include:

• Insight into the Medical, Law, Business and Grad School admissions process (GPA, test scores, extracurriculars)
• Required entrance exams tips
• Advice on improving your chances of gaining admission to the school of your choice
• A review of the admissions timeline and when you should be taking your exams and applying
• Question and answer session

Click here to register now.

Can't attend the webinar live? Sign up to receive a free recording!

Questions? Contact Jamie Chapman, member engagement director, at jchapman@phikappaphi.org.

Featured Fellow: Brooke Boisseau

Phi Kappa Phi’s Featured Fellow for February is Brooke Boisseau, a 2017 Marcus L. Urann Fellow. Brooke was awarded the Urann Fellowship as an undergraduate at The University of Southern Mississippi and went on to pursue a J.D. in Human Rights Law at the University of Virginia School of Law.

Brooke earned the top freshman honor at USM, the Presidential Award, because of her outstanding high school success. With the award, she began her undergraduate education guided by two principles: first, to take advantage of every opportunity afforded her, and second, to embrace both Hattiesburg and the rest of the world as her life’s platform. She graduated with the highest academic standing in three majors—international studies, French and religion—while completing two semesters of study abroad in India and France.

The deadline to apply for one of 57 Phi Kappa Phi Fellowships is April 16, 2018. The Society will award six $15,000 grants and 51 $5,000 grants to students nationwide.

Since its creation in 1932, the Fellowship Program has become one of the Society's most visible and financially well-supported endeavors, allocating $345,000 annually to deserving students for first-year graduate or professional study. The competition is open to all active Phi Kappa Phi members who meet the eligibility requirements.

“Receiving the Marcus L. Urann Fellowship means so much to me,” shared Brooke. “Now, not only do I have my family supporting me every step of the way, I also have Phi Kappa Phi who believes in my ability to succeed so much that it granted me this fellowship.”

Each active Phi Kappa Phi chapter may endorse one candidate from among its local applicants to compete Society-wide for a fellowship. The national deadline for chapters to submit an applicant is April 16. Chapter deadlines vary. If you are a student interested in applying for a fellowship, visit www.phikappaphi.org/chapterlist to contact your chapter for local deadline information.

For more information, visit www.phikappaphi.org/fellowship or contact Kelli Partin at kpartin@phikappaphi.org.

Member Benefit Highlights – February 2018

Who doesn’t love a sweet discount? Phi Kappa Phi members are sure to fall in love with these sweet savings available throughout February.

Collette
Fall in love with Italy during the Collette Italy Flash Sale. Members can access incredible savings on 12 air-inclusive tours to Italy from February 5th through the 12th. This offer is not available online, so call Collette at 1.855.389.8687 to book your trip of a lifetime and use offer code ITALY299. Mention ‘The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi’ and save an additional $50-$100 per person. Visit www.Collette.com/PhiKappaPhi to learn more.

Lenovo
Phi Kappa Phi members can access sweet savings of up to 45% off Lenovo’s most popular products throughout February. Shop now at www.Lenovo.com/PhiKappaPhi!

Living Language
Impress your Valentine and say “I love you” in a new language! Members can access exclusive savings on all online language-learning course subscriptions, including 50% off one-year subscriptions and 20% off all other subscriptions. Living Language offers books, audio, apps, community forums, online courses, and e-tutors to provide a comprehensive language learning experience. Visit www.LivingLanguage.com/Online-Courses to choose the language you want to learn and enter promo code PKP50 at checkout for a one-year subscription or PKP20 for all other subscriptions.

Lumosity
Train your vocabulary with Lumosity’s language games and never run out of words to describe how you feel about your special someone. Members receive an exclusive 25% discount on individual yearly and lifetime subscriptions, and Lumosity is available on iPad, iPhone and Android. Visit Lumosity.com to set up your free account. Once you’ve created your account, click here to activate the 25% discount.

Mercer
Let Mercer help make sure your loved ones are protected and taken care of if something happens to you. Visit www.PhiKappaPhi.org/Mercer to learn more about the life, long-term care, disability, medical, pet and travel insurance plans available to Phi Kappa Phi members.

The Princeton Review
Do you have a study date this Valentine’s Day? If so, make plans with The Princeton Review and save up to $150 on classroom courses, small group instruction, tutoring, and self-guided courses for the MCAT, LSAT, GRE, GMAT, and more. To access the appropriate promo code, click here or call 1.800.2.REVIEW and mention The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi.

Ticket Monster Perks
Plan a fun date night for your special someone with Ticket Monster Perks! Members can receive a 15% discount on over 2.5 billion sports, concert and theater tickets worldwide, and access discounts up to 25% off movie tickets and over 70 theme parks nationwide. Visit www.PhiKappaPhi.org/Ticket-Monster-Perks to learn more and sign up today!

Want to access more savings? Visit www.PhiKappaPhi.org/Discounts to view all of the discounts available to active members year-round. Please note, discounts are reserved for active members and you will be required to log in to access many of the partnership pages within the website.

Questions? Contact Jamie Chapman, member engagement director, at jchapman@phikappaphi.org.

Take Part in the Annual Book Drive Competition

Beginning today, February 1, Phi Kappa Phi chapters across the nation will take part in the annual Phi Kappa Phi Book Drive competition. Established by the Society’s Council of Students, the competition aims to encourage and promote literacy in the communities and campuses served by Phi Kappa Phi’s chapters.

Interested chapters can participate in the competition by hosting a drive to collect books or funds to be applied toward literacy materials. To be eligible, the drives must take place any time between February 1 and April 30, 2018.

“The book drive competition is a fitting extension of the Phi Kappa Phi mission,” said Society Executive Director Dr. Mary Todd. “The competition provides an opportunity for our chapters to engage in service to others while enabling access to resources and opportunities that promote lifelong learning.”

The Phi Kappa Phi chapters that collect the most books or monetary donations throughout the competition will receive a “Little Free Library” to be placed at a location of their choice. The Little Free Library is a freestanding box where anyone can donate and borrow books in an effort to promote literacy throughout communities—a prize that fits well with the Society’s love of learning and literacy. In lieu of the Little Free Library, winning chapters can opt to receive a waived registration fee to attend the upcoming Phi Kappa Phi convention.

“This book drive has given our campus a way to take action on behalf of children who have had to face too many obstacles in their young lives,” said Jeanne Zarucchi, president of the University of Missouri–St. Louis chapter. “Over the past three years, we have shared the donations with children affected by the protests in Ferguson, children of ex-offenders, children receiving therapy as victims of abuse, and children involved in family court cases. It has been very moving to see the outpouring of generosity, and to know that so many people believe in the power of reading as an agent for positive change.”

The annual competition, now in its fifth year, has donated more than 35,000 books to organizations both locally and abroad. Organizations that have received donated books as part of the competition include schools, libraries, hospitals, correctional centers, tutoring and mentoring programs, shelters and more.

To learn more about the competition or to locate your local chapter, visit www.phikappaphi.org/bookdrive.

Volunteer Spotlight – February 2018

Erin Sanchez

University of Maryland University College

Chapter Position: Coordinator

University Position: Assistant Director, Administration for the Graduate School Dean's Office

Years of Service to the Chapter: 3

Degree(s)/Discipline: M.B.A., M.S. in Management

How did you become involved as a chapter officer? I was nominated by our Chapter President.

What has your chapter done that has made you proud? Our chapter has been working very hard the past few years to increase our visibility and engagement with both our faculty and students. We created a dedicated Google page for the chapter which our members are invited to join. We post various news announcements and updates on this page to help engage our members. The university also has a webpage dedicated to Phi Kappa Phi. This is a great resource for faculty and staff as they advise students and is easy for students to find.

Our chapter provides two scholarships each year. The scholarships are awarded in the spring and help pay for tuition in the following fall semester. Our chapter recognizes an applicant’s promise of success in graduate or professional studies as shown by academic and personal achievement, career and educational goals, and related experiences.

In addition, this will be our second year holding the Phi Kappa Phi book drive. Our first year was very successful with many donations from students and faculty. Therefore, we have decided to continue this tradition. It is a great way for our members to remain involved in the chapter as well as for our chapter to give back to the community.

What does Phi Kappa Phi mean to you? Phi Kappa Phi signifies a love of learning and service to others. I come from a family of educators, so I think these values were instilled in me at an early age. I can certainly identify with the mission of Phi Kappa Phi, and I enjoy volunteering for an organization that practices these values.

What do you enjoy most about being a chapter officer? As a chapter officer, I enjoy coordinating our Phi Kappa Phi induction ceremony that we hold each year. It is such a joy to see the happiness on students’ faces as they celebrate their outstanding scholastic achievements by being inducted into this prestigious honor society. It is a wonderful evening in which students are able to celebrate their accomplishment with their family and friends as well as the chapter officers.

What advice would you give to a new chapter officer? Having one officer attend the convention each biennium is a great way to network with others who are committed to the Society as well as learn about new information to bring back to chapter members and officers.

Where are you from? Originally from Massachusetts and now residing in Maryland.