Phi Kappa Phi Announces Inaugural Fall Service Project Initiative

Beginning tomorrow, Oct. 1, The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi chapters will take part in the inaugural Fall Service Project initiative. Established by the Society’s Council of Students, chapters are encouraged to focus on a community need with a literacy component and to establish a partnership with a community organization.

Interested chapters can participate in the service project by addressing literacy needs of the community. Some examples include adult literacy, environmental literacy, computer literacy or financial literacy.

“The new Fall Service Project is a natural extension of the very successful book drives led by student vice presidents for the past six years,” said Society Executive Director Dr. Mary Todd. “It offers our chapters the opportunity to partner with and support a literacy-focused cause in their local communities and aptly reflects Phi Kappa Phi’s mission of excellence, engagement and service.”

The service project can take place for any length of time during the month of October. One chapter from each division will be honored for their commitment to the community. The national office will provide a $200 monetary contribution to each chapter’s partner community organization.

Click here to learn more.

Photo provided by Chapter 157, Nicholls State University – NSU collected books to benefit a local library as a community service project. Participating are Brigett Scott, left, and Celia Andresen.

Free GRE Strategy Webinar on Oct. 15

Are you preparing for the GRE? If so, you don’t want to miss this free GRE Strategy Session Webinar hosted by the University of Nevada, Las Vegas Phi Kappa Phi Chapter and Honors College.

On Tuesday, Oct. 15, at 6 p.m. P.T., a Princeton Review instructor will review strategies and share tips on how to prepare to maximize your score.

Topics will include GRE misconceptions and truths, test structure, question types, scoring methods and tips for how to dodge traps. There will be a live question and answer session available to all attendees at the end of the webinar.

The webinar is available for anyone to attend remotely, and students on the UNLV campus can attend in person in the Gateway Building, Second Floor, Gather Room #1. Refreshments will be provided beginning at 5:30 p.m. P.T.

Click here to register now. If you cannot attend the live webinar, register and a free recording will be emailed to you.

Is your chapter interested in hosting a test prep or graduate school admissions webinar at no cost? Hosting a webinar for students on your campus is a great opportunity to bring visibility to your chapter, promote membership and get in front of prospective members.

To schedule a webinar, email Jamie Chapman, membership director, at jchapman@phikappaphi.org with the date and time your chapter would prefer to host a webinar and the topic to be reviewed. We will reach out to The Princeton Review to find an instructor and have the online webinar registration set up.

Questions? Email Jamie Chapman at jchapman@phikappaphi.org or call (800) 804-9880, ext. 217.

ΦΚΦ Member Spotlight – September 2019

Registered dietitian Rochelle Werner was initiated at the University of California, Davis, in May 2019. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in nutritional science, dietetics from the University of California, Berkeley, in 2014 and is enrolled in the Institute for Global Nutrition at UC Davis.

As a doctoral student, Rochelle’s research interests are dietary assessment and the long-term health effects of nutrition-based interventions directed towards mothers, infants and children at the global level. After graduate studies, she plans to work internationally to improve the nutritional status of children living in communities impacted by health disparities.

Get to know Rochelle!

1. Why did you accept the invitation to join the Society? 
   Persuasive communication and endorsement from Chancellor Gary May to all invited members at UC Davis helped me see that Phi Kappa Phi is a noteworthy and distinguished society.
2. Which Phi Kappa Phi benefit have you found most useful since joining? 
   Reading and contributing to the advice within the members’ network (Link) has been both helpful and fun.
3. Where is your hometown? 
   I am fortunate to consider Monterey, California, my hometown. Though Monterey Bay is often best known for its aquarium, I know it more for the regional and state parks like Point Lobos, Garland Ranch, and Jacks Peak; the coastal recreation trail; tide pools and beach bonfires; and concerts at the Sunset Center.
4. Who inspires you? 
   The people I work with in the nutrition department at UC Davis inspire me every day. From distinguished faculty members to the professors who mentor me as a teaching assistant to the post-doctoral scholars who provide technical expertise, they all inspire and challenge me to keep growing.
5. What was the best vacation you’ve been on? 
   My favorite vacation was a weekend safari in Liwonde National Park, Malawi, while I was conducting field research. My colleagues and I saw hippos, crocodiles, elephants, impala, waterbucks, and a variety of birds. I will never forget seeing an elephant for the first time in the wild.
6. What do you like to do in your spare time? 
   I stay involved with my church, helping where needed and building friendships. I’d like to work more on developing proficiency in Mandarin.
7. What was the first concert you attended? 
   My first concert was a music festival called Spirit West Coast at Laguna Seca Raceway in Salinas, California. As a third grader, my favorite part of the outdoor concerts was hitting the beach balls released into the crowd.
8. What would you most like to tell yourself at age 13? 
   When you see broken systems, challenge yourself to find better alternatives and be part of the solution. Spend more time contributing in productive ways than critiquing others or wishing to escape from “dumb rules” or school cliques.
9. What is your hidden talent? 
   I can make oboe reeds.
10. When are you the happiest? 
    I love receiving snail mail from friends and family members. It makes my day that someone would take the time to handwrite a note. And I appreciate the way each person’s handwriting is unique.

To learn more about Rochelle and connect, visit her member profile within the Phi Kappa Phi online community here.

The ΦΚΦ Member Spotlight gives members the opportunity to share more about themselves and how they have benefited from membership in the Society. The spotlight is a great way for members to learn about each other and connect with others who have common interests and goals.

Would you like to be featured, or do you know someone you would like see in the spotlight? If so, email Jamie Chapman, membership director, at jchapman@phikappaphi.org. Be sure to include basic information for the nomination.

2019 Literacy Grant Spotlights

As September and National Literacy Month draw to a close, we’re taking a look at some of the 2019 Literacy Grant Recipients and the work they’re doing to make a positive impact in the world.

This year, Phi Kappa Phi awarded Literacy Grants of up to $2,500 to 13 projects around the globe. Their focus ranged from helping teachers in their first three years of service to providing literacy support to villages in Tanzania. Here’s a closer look at three of the projects:

Renee Bogschutz
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
Interprofessional Toy Fair and Expo
One in six children in the U.S. has one or more developmental disabilities or delays. The Interprofessional Toy Fair and Expo gives those children from birth to age 3, and their families, hands-on demonstrations of how playing and reading can be incorporated into the learning environment to increase growth and development. “At Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, we believe that helping people in our communities is a primary goal of health professions education. By partnering with service organizations like Phi Kappa Phi, we are able to make tangible differences in the lives of children with delays and/or disabilities that live and grow in our community,” shared Bogschutz.

Tyler Leng
South Dakota State University
Improving Health Literacy and Safety Through Infographic Fact Cards for Underserved Populations
The Health Literacy Project will focus on undereducated, poor communities; recent immigrants; and migrant workers to improve health literacy with user-friendly fact cards using free graphics and information from the National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The cards will address nutrition and food safety, medication adherence and how to talk to health care providers, and vaccines.

Federica Zanet Wilhelm
University of Maryland University College
SoJust: A Zine on Social Justice Literacy
This project hopes to produce a literary publication by teens and young adults in Princeton, New Jersey, to advocate, educate, and inspire readers on issues of gender, civil rights, discrimination, and inequality. SoJust stems from a collaboration between the Bayard Rustin Center for Social Justice, the Princeton Public Library, and is made possible by the Literacy Grant, which will allow for workshops, publication, and a wider reach in the community.

Read more about the Phi Kappa Phi Literacy Grants program and see what literacy initiatives are being championed by all of 2019 grant recipients.

Photo provided by award recipient - Nursing, occupational therapy, and speech-language pathology students from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center demonstrate the use of a toy to a family who has a child with Down’s Syndrome.

Fall into Savings from GEICO

Autumn days are here again, and so are the savings! Phi Kappa Phi members could fall into savings up to 8% on auto insurance with a special member discount from GEICO.

As the second-largest private passenger auto insurer in the United States, GEICO provides auto insurance coverage for over 13 million policyholders and insures more than 22 million vehicles. Phi Kappa Phi and GEICO have a long-standing partnership that allows our members to take advantage of a special member discount, including a free, no-obligation auto and homeowners quote.

Each time a Phi Kappa Phi member receives a quote, GEICO makes a contribution to the Society in support of our mission to recognize and promote academic excellence through our award programs totaling nearly $1 million each year.

To request your free quote, visit www.GEICO.com/PhiKappaPhi. Existing GEICO customers, you may also be eligible for the discount. To find out, call (800) 368-2734 to speak with a GEICO representative and reference your membership in The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi.

Please note, the discount is not available in Michigan, Mississippi and Tennessee.

Is Your Member Profile Up-To-Date?

Did you know that as a member of Phi Kappa Phi you have a profile in our membership database? Your profile information was collected at the time you accepted our invitation to membership.

Since you were initiated, you may have moved, married, changed careers, received a promotion or completed a graduate degree. If so, we want to know!

Please take a moment to update your profile, including your preferred contact information. Accessing your member profile is as easy as 1, 2, 3:

1. Visit Members.PhiKappaPhi.org/Profile
2. Log in using your Phi Kappa Phi credentials created when you joined*
3. Complete the fields in each tab of your profile

*Can’t remember your login credentials? Visit www.PhiKappaPhi.org/MyLogin or email webmaster@phikappaphi.org for assistance.

Your member profile and preferences help the Society deliver customized communications to meet your needs, and updated contact information will ensure you don’t miss out on important Phi Kappa Phi news and member benefit offerings.

Don’t forget to visit the Preferences tab in your profile, and let us know your participation preferences. You have the option to let us know if you are interested in serving as a volunteer or contributing to the Phi Kappa Phi Forum magazine.

Update your profile today! The process should take no more than 5 minutes.

Promote Your Chapter on Campus

The most successful chapters are often the ones whose members take the time to promote visibility on campus. Both members and chapter officers alike can bring attention to Phi Kappa Phi and share with others all the benefits of membership.

Do you already participate in campus visibility initiatives? Visit our member-exclusive Link community to share ideas to grow your chapters and get members involved.

Looking for ways you can help? Try one of these:

• Share your chapter’s social media posts online.
• Host a campus event such as the Fall Service Project.
• Sport your favorite Society-branded gear.
• Wear Phi Kappa Phi graduation regalia to your big day.
• Tell others about our awards programs! Whether you point a friend in the direction of a program that would be perfect for them or help hang informational posters around campus, share the news of the nearly $1 million we give away each year.
• Hold a test prep webinar with The Princeton Review. Click here to learn more.

How have other chapters promoted visibility? Read more about each in the links.

• Florida Institute of Technology held a reception for Phi Kappa Phi’s Scholar, Morton Ann Gernsbacher.
• Louisiana State University hosts an annual Evening with Great Authors.
• Many chapters hold annual book drives.
• Marshall University publishes a newsletter.
• Slippery Rock University created a social-media based campus-wide contest.
• The University of North Alabama held a Midterm Coffee Break to give away a morning coffee and treats. "It was a big success," shared Chapter President Stephanie Montgomery.
• Eastern Kentucky University set up a table at a campus event. They offered a photo booth and Tweeted out students’ pictures. Andrew Stofleth shared, “We had a flyers with a QR code to our Twitter site, so the students could go and find their picture on our Twitter page.”

Got a great idea about chapter promotions on campus? Share with us at news@phikappaphi.org.

Photo provided by Stephanie Montgomery - Student Vice President Chandler Mordecai, left, and Dr. Butler Cain greet students at University of North Alabama during Chapter 132's Midterm Coffee Break.

Application Period Open for $100,000 Excellence in Innovation Award

The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation’s oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines, is now accepting applications for its 2020 Excellence in Innovation Award. The deadline for interested institutions to apply for the $100,000 award is Dec. 11, 2019.

Awarded each biennium, the Excellence in Innovation Award recognizes one college or university for achievement in finding powerful substantive solutions to improve the lives of others and create systematic large-scale change. The recipient institution will receive $100,000 in tangible recognition of its best practice in response to the changes and challenges facing higher education in the 21st century.

“The Phi Kappa Phi Excellence in Innovation Award extends our mission to recognize and advance excellence in higher education by lifting up the transformative work being done on college and university campuses across the country,” said Dr. Mary Todd, the Society’s executive director.

Since 1932, Phi Kappa Phi has awarded fellowships and grants to members and students on its chapter campuses. The Society awards nearly $1 million each year to outstanding students through programs that last year recognized over 355 individuals. The Excellence in Innovation Award, first awarded in 2016 to Tulane University, is the Society’s only award for institutions.

The application period for colleges and universities to apply for the Excellence in Innovation Award is open until Dec. 11, 2019. For more information including award criteria, eligibility, and timeline details, visit www.PhiKappaPhi.org/Innovation.

If you have questions about the award, please contact Kelli Partin at kpartin@phikappaphi.org.

For the Love of Literacy

September is National Literacy Month, and Phi Kappa Phi continues its month-long celebration by looking back at some of the 2018 Literacy Grant recipients’ projects.

In 2018, Phi Kappa Phi awarded Literacy Grants of up to $2,500 to 13 projects around the country. Read how some of those recipients are making a difference:

Measurement Literacy Enrichment Program
Steve Elliott
This partnership between Chapter 127 at The University of Tennessee at Martin and the staff of the Martin Enrichment Academy strives to improve children’s concept of measurement using literature. Weekly visits by UTM mathematics and science faculty to the MEA after-school program involved reading measurement-themed books to the students and conducting measurements suggested by the books. Students measured length, mass, volume, and density and were able to keep the books, measuring tapes and rulers used in the exercise.

Book Club Kits for Adult Literacy
Amy C. Nickless
This project allowed for the creation of book club kits for Wolfner Talking Book and Braille Library patrons. Each kit was designed to include activities and discussion questions to support the selected titles. The activities incorporate multisensory elements, such as tactile and scented objects, music, and audio described DVDs to illustrate the books in an accessible format for visually and physically disabled Missourians. The project has generated national interest among other Talking Book and Braille Libraries after a preview was shared at the 2019 KLAS Users Conference.

Islanders Helping the Early Acceleration of Readers Together (iHeart)
Bethanie C. Pletcher
The iHEART program is a tutorial initiative between the Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi Phi Kappa Phi chapter and Kennedy Elementary School in West Oso Independent School District. Undergraduate teacher candidates provide supplemental instruction to small groups of elementary students who struggle with literacy tasks. The mission is to provide children with early reading intervention and to give teacher candidates opportunities to implement strategies they’ve learned. The Literacy Grant paid for more than 1,000 guided reading books for use by the program tutors.

Read more about the Phi Kappa Phi Literacy Grants program and see what literacy initiatives are being championed by all of the 2018 grant recipients.

Photos provided by award recipients

Top photo – University of Tennessee at Martin volunteers work with children at the Martin Enrichment Academy as part of the Measurement Literacy Enrichment Program

Middle photo – Book club kits created for Wolfner Talking Book and Braille Library patrons include multisensory elements to support the selected title.

Bottom photo – Bethanie Pletcher, left, works with elementary students in Texas as part of the iHEART program.

Win Your Favorite Piece of Phi Kappa Phi Gear

Have you had your eye on a certain piece of Phi Kappa Phi merchandise? Participate in our Pin to Win contest for your chance to win the item of your choice!

Between Sept. 9-30, simply follow Phi Kappa Phi on Pinterest and pin your favorite merchandise item from our "ΦKΦ Merch" board. One winner—selected at random—will receive the item they have pinned.

How to Enter:

1. Follow Phi Kappa Phi on Pinterest.
2. Select your favorite item on our "ΦKΦ Merch" board.
3. Repin the item.

Only one entry per user will be accepted, and you must be an active Phi Kappa Phi member to enter.

Click here for official rules and details. Happy pinning!

Spruce Up Your Electronics with Society-Branded Wallpapers

Tired of staring at the same old background on your PC? Want a fresh new look for the new semester? If it’s been a while since you changed your wallpaper on your computer or mobile device, it’s time to spruce things up with a little Phi Kappa Phi pride.

Click here to check out all the new, Society-branded wallpapers now available as free downloads for your devices.

Six different desktop wallpapers let you show off your membership and are available in a variety of sizes to suit assorted monitor resolutions. There are also six freshly-minted images available for backgrounds on all your mobile devices.

Grab your free download today!

Phi Kappa Phi Celebrates National Literacy Month

September is National Literacy Month, and Sunday, Sept. 8 marks this year’s celebration of International Literacy Day. The annual, worldwide event aims to remind the public of the importance of literacy and to work toward a more literate society. Each year, the event brings together communities, organizations, educators and students to raise awareness for literacy and its importance as a foundation for lifelong learning.

International Literacy Day was established by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization as a way to promote awareness about and find solutions for illiteracy. Since its creation in 1966, the day has been celebrated internationally each year.

Because more than 750 million adults worldwide remain illiterate, the day is an opportunity to highlight literacy rates and reflect on literacy challenges. Phi Kappa Phi will extend the celebration beyond International Literacy day and devote the entire month to literacy awareness.

Want to join us in our month-long celebration?

• Follow our blog for upcoming literacy posts
• Connect with us on social media using #PKPLovesLiteracy
• Tell us about literacy initiatives championed by you or your chapter
• Consider a literacy-based project for your chapter’s Fall Service Project
• Read about our 2019 Literacy Grant winners

We look forward to celebrating literacy and our love of learning all month long, and we hope you’ll join us!

Member Benefits Highlights – September 2019

Fall is in the air! The smell of warm apple cider, the colors of the leaves as they begin to change and the sound of excitement as members learn about these exclusive savings that autumn brings!

Budget Car Rental
As an active member, you can save up to 25% off Budget base rates. Visit www.Budget.com/PhiKappaPhi to make your reservation online, or call (800) 527-0700, and mention Budget Customer Discount number R023600.

Carbonite
Carbonite backs up your irreplaceable computer files—like term papers, business documents, photos, music and more—securely and automatically to the cloud, and allows you to access them from any computer, smartphone or tablet. Access a 10% discount on any Carbonite business and personal plan subscription, with additional discounts available for multi-year purchase. Members can also try Carbonite free for 15 days! Visit www.Carbonite.com and enter promo code PKPOFFER10 when signing up for your free trial or purchasing a subscription.

Collette
Collette is a guided travel pioneer, taking travelers across the globe for the last 100 years. With tours to all seven continents, and excursions like African safaris, whale watching in Iceland, or trips through the Irish countryside, Collette can help you make memories that will last a lifetime. Save up to $600 per person when you book a Collette tour. Visit www.GoCollette.com/PhiKappaPhi to browse all of the travel destinations available, view current travel deals and more. Use offer code SOCIETYSAVE, and mention that you are a member of The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi to save an additional $50-$100 per person!

Fluenz
Fluenz offers interactive language learning software for Spanish (Latin American), French, Italian, German, Portuguese, Mandarin, and Spanish (Spain). Products are available in on CD, as a download and via mobile apps. Fluenz can also be streamed online and has supplemental audio MP3s and online flashcards. Save 20% on any Fluenz purchase with promo code PKPOFFER20 at Fluenz.com.

Lenovo
Lenovo's product lines include the legendary Think-branded commercial PCs and Idea-branded consumer PCs, as well as servers, workstations and a family of mobile internet devices, including tablets and smart phones. Access exclusive monthly offers up to 45% at www.Lenovo.com/PhiKappaPhi. Click here to view their monthly offer flyer.

MemberDeals
Spend September singing with savings of 50% or more on the hottest concerts nationwide! Click here to view the September music flyer now. And remember, MemberDeals is your one stop for great discounts on movie tickets, shows and attractions, sports and concert tickets, hotels, theme parks and more. Click here to find your perfect deal today!

The Parking Spot
The Parking Spot offers convenient long-term airport parking facilities with fast check-in/out, and all-day shuttle service to 21 major airports across the country. Join the Phi Kappa Phi Spot Club Exec program and access a 15% discount at all Parking Spot locations nationwide. Click here to order your card, view discounted rates, get directions and make reservations.

Questions about member benefits? Contact Jamie Chapman at jchapman@phikappaphi.org or (800) 804-9880, ext. 217, with all of your member benefit inquiries.

Chapter Update – September 2019

Register a Student Organization!

Chapter 155 at The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio, established a registered student organization in 2006 to be affiliated with the chapter. At that time, the chapter also moved their initiation from spring to fall so seniors could have more time as active members and participate in chapter activities.

Officers of the organization include the two elected student vice presidents from the chapter who typically serve in the roles of president and treasurer. The student group has their own officers, budget and meetings throughout the year and most activities are planned in conjunction with the Executive Board. All members are invited to the organization’s community service and social events, which include reading to children, serving meals at Faith Mission homeless shelter, tailgating, holiday parties, group attendance at campus festivals and more.

Some of the benefits available to registered student organizations at Ohio State include:

• use of university facilities for free
• $250 to use in the resource room on organizational supplies
• participation in student involvement fairs
• technology support including free website hosting, email address, and group email lists
• marketing support including graphic design, photography, and videography

Michael Shearer, chapter president, said “If food and beverages are ordered by the student group in the student unions, they receive up to a 30 percent discount. For open campus events, student groups can make requests for free Coke beverages for events since the university has a contract with Coca-Cola. Prior to the student group’s existence, room charges were incurred and food was purchased at full price.”

If your chapter needs support like this, talk to the Student Affairs office on your campus about benefits available to registered student organizations.

Test Prep with the Princeton Review

Chapter 100 at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, has partnered with the Princeton Review and the UNLV Honors College to host a free GRE strategy webinar on October 15. A Princeton Review instructor will review strategies and share tips on how to prepare for the test and maximize your score. Some topics include test structure and how to dodge traps, scoring methods and question types, test misconceptions and truths, and a live Q&A session. The chapter also plans to provide refreshments to guests thirty minutes before the webinar begins.

The Society has been a partner with the Princeton Review since 2005. Hosting a test prep webinar is a great way to engage your members, increase the visibility of Phi Kappa Phi on your campus, and provide an academic service to students. If your chapter is interested in hosting a webinar with the Princeton Review, contact Jamie Chapman at the Phi Kappa Phi national office. She will work with Princeton representatives to confirm the instructor, coordinate online registration, and create flyers or other promotional materials. Your chapter will be responsible for setting the date, time, and viewing location (unless hosted completely online).

UNCC Faculty and Staff Rotate Presidency

Chapter 228 at the University of North Carolina in Charlotte, North Carolina, has adopted a new practice of rotating the presidency each year between a faculty and staff member. The past president, Ron Smelser, is a faculty member/administrator. The president, Leslie Zenk, is a staff member. The president-elect, Richard Leeman, is a faculty member.

The intent of this new practice is to help actively engage both faculty and staff in the leadership of the organization and share the responsibility of carrying on the work of the organization.

“It's important to have diverse voices and experiences present on the board to help generate the best ideas for our organization and create the best opportunities for our students. Faculty and staff also often have different experiences with and access to campus resources, offices, and partners which can create a richer collaboration,” said Zenk.

Share Your Chapter’s Events, Resources and Practices

Please share your chapter news and events with Michelle Lowery, Chapter Development Director, so it can be included in future chapter updates and shared on social media. Pictures are encouraged!

Top photo by Michael A. Shearer - Nick Carcione, treasurer, left, and Selina Vickery, president, officers for the Phi Kappa Phi registered student organization at The Ohio State University, are pictured at the spring 2019 Student Involvement Fair.

Bottom photo by Cress Photography – Officers from the chapter at UNC-Charlotte during initiation include, from left, Dr. Malin Pereira, scholarship coordinator; Dr. Leslie Zenk, president; Dr. Misty Hathcock, treasurer; Dr. Kelly Powers, member-at-large; Dr. Lisa Walker, member-at-large; Dr. Ron Smelser, past president; Dr. Tamara Johnson, communications officer; and Abey Dessie, member-at-large.