Member Mentions – August 2020

The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi's international community is a unique blend of students, academicians, and corporate and civic leaders from all fields of endeavor. Membership in Phi Kappa Phi recognizes and rewards academic success. That recognition doesn’t end after initiation. From their time in school to their professional career, Society members’ hard work continues to pay off and be acknowledged.

Phi Kappa Phi would like to congratulate these members on their recent achievements:

Stephen Howard (University of Utah) has been chosen to serve on the judging panel for the 2020 R&D 100 awards program. The panel is tasked with honoring research and development pioneers and their ideas in science and technology.

Heather LaBouve (McNeese State University) was elected to the Acadia Parish Chamber of Commerce in Louisiana. She will serve as secretary/treasurer.

Johnathan Lo (Texas A&M University) has been awarded a 2020 Astronaut Scholarship from the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation. The scholarship supports students in STEM while commemorating the legacy of America’s pioneering astronauts.

Greg Pease (University of Memphis) has been reappointed associate general counsel of the Tennessee Bar Association's Board of Governors. Pease was also recognized for his corporate law practice in the 2020 edition of Best Lawyers in America.

Chartice Wyatt-Thermil (Indiana University of Pennsylvania) was named director of Seaber Raiders Academic Center for Student-Athletes at Shippensburg University. The position provides programming to ensure that student-athletes are connected with resources that support success.

Do you have an accomplishment you’d like to share? Email your member news to news@phikappaphi.org to be considered for inclusion.

 

8 Tips for a Great School Year

It’s here again! The time to return to learn! The weather is cooling, the pages are turning, and many of you are starting a new semester. We want all our members to succeed, and we’re happy to provide the following tips to ensure you have a great school year.

Take amazing class notes from day one. Get all the supplies you need to do your best! Members can shop Office Depot for school supplies and save up to 80% on more than 93,000 items. Plus, members can receive free next-day delivery on online orders over $50. Visit OfficeDiscounts.org/PKP/ to view current specials and promotions, access a 10% coupon, and register for your member account today!

Keep up your grades! Research top study tips in Link, the Society’s online member community. Share your best advice for making the grade in The Study Group, and read what has worked for other members.

Don’t procrastinate! Stay on top of your assignments with a planner or organization system from Society partner Franklin Planner. Members have access to a 15% discount year-round when shopping at www.FranklinPlanner.com. Use promo code PKPMEMBER when checking out to apply the discount to your order.

Make at least one new friend. Attending classes virtually this semester? That doesn’t mean you can’t meet new faces! Search the Society’s member directory in Link by chapter to find other members affiliated with your school.

Better your chances of getting an internship! Use our internship resources to find the perfect internship today. From the ΦΚΦ Internship Board to scholarships up to $2,500 from our partners, our resources can help you land the perfect internship!

Create new school year goals and stick to them! Accountability is the key to success, and you can stay accountable by sharing your 2020 goals with us. Check in throughout the year to update us on your progress and let us know how far you’ve come at the end of the year in Link! Many members have already shared their goals, so what are you waiting for? Tell us what you hope to accomplish today!

Look into studying abroad; the sooner you investigate the better! Phi Kappa Phi Study Abroad Grants are designed to help support undergraduates as they seek knowledge and experience in their academic fields by studying abroad. Seventy-five $1,000 grants are awarded each year. The next application period will open in the winter 2020, and you can sign up to receive a notification email when the application is available.

Finally, keep your technology fast and your computer files safe! Power up with discounts of up to 50% from the Society’s technology partners, including Dell, HP, and Lenovo, and protect your assignments with an online backup plan from Carbonite. The Society is partnered with these companies to extend exclusive member discounts, so login and save today!

We hope you find these tips useful and we wish you the best this school year! If you need assistance logging in to access any of the webpages mentioned above, visit www.PhiKappaPhi.org/MyLogin.

Questions? Email Jamie Chapman, membership director. 

ΦΚΦ Member Spotlight – August 2020

Originally from Lake Charles, Louisiana, James Miller was initiated in 2013 at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette while pursuing a bachelor's degree in nursing. He graduated in 2015 and currently works at the Mayo Clinic as a cardiac surgery and transplant ICU registered nurse.

In June 2020, James was awarded one of fifteen Circle of Excellence awards by the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses due to his commitment to achieving excellent outcomes in the care of acutely and critically ill patients.

James served as a signal support system specialist with the United States Army and Army National Guard for eight years while also participating as a cadet in the Army ROTC program at ULL. He has volunteered with many organizations throughout his life and recently served as a reviewer for the Rochester chapter of the Minnesota Council for the Gifted and Talented 2020 GATEway Science Fair and as a volunteer nurse with the Good Samaritan Clinic.

Let’s get to know James!

1. Why did you accept the invitation to join Phi Kappa Phi?
   I joined the Society to continue to build on the camaraderie that I felt throughout the halls of Judice-Rickels, the honors building of my alma mater. Phi Kappa Phi has a global community of scholars and professionals, and being able to share my thoughts and connect with professionals across the world in support of one another is a unique opportunity.


2. What movie title best describes your life?
   The Pursuit of Happyness best describes me because I believe one of the answers to life is to be happy. I actively pursue happiness and believe that having the ability to wake up every day within your happiness is beautiful.


3. What phone app do you use most?
   I use the Calm app to practice mindfulness and focus. It allows me to find my balance.


4. What is the most important lesson you learned in the past year?
   I had the opportunity to partner with physicians and medical students working on a research project investigating how patients are represented in medical education curricula to identify sources of unintentional bias or misrepresentation. I also worked on a research project with physicians in gastroenterology investigating the role of bile acid replacements in inflammatory gastrointestinal diseases. The most important lesson I learned through these research projects was understanding the level of diligence necessary to produce quality research.


5. At a party, where can someone find you?
   At a party, I can be found by the vinyl record player listening to jazz saxophonist John Coltrane’s masterpiece A Love Supreme.


6. What is the first concert you attended?
   The first concert I ever attended was by the pianist Ludovico Einaudi. It was fascinating and heartwarming, and I probably spent the concert with my eyes closed visualizing the music taking me on a reassuring journey while shifting my perspectives.


7. What is your hidden talent, and how do you use it to your advantage?
   My hidden talent is attention to detail, and it has allowed me to be thorough and accurate throughout my life. My talent can be used in any situation, from working through complex clinical problems at the hospital to playing the board game Monopoly against my siblings.


8. If you could travel anywhere, where would you go?
   If I could travel anywhere it would be to the Galápagos Islands. I was first introduced to the Galápagos as a child reading National Geographic magazines, and I found the island’s unique ecosystem fascinating. Fast forward to my freshman year in high school when I was on the Quiz Bowl team, I remember the winning question that came my way—where are the world’s oldest giant tortoises found? I hesitated at first because I could not believe I knew the answer. After encouragement from my team, I answered the Galápagos Islands and we won the match. So, I have fond memories of learning about the Galápagos Islands and am planning to visit sometime soon as a learning photographer with hopes my photos can give someone inspiration like the National Geographic magazine gave me.


9. What was the best book or series you’ve read or watched?
   The best series that I have watched is the Qatsi trilogy. It is a series of three non-narrative films titled Koyaanisqatsi: Life Out of Balance, Powaqqatsi: Life in Transformation, and Naqoyqatsi: Life as War. Watching these films was like watching a visual poem unfold right before my eyes.


10. Who is your hero?
    My hero is my older sister U.S Army Capt. Rita C. Miller who would always tell me, “no excuse, just results.” At a young age, she had to accept many responsibilities and make sacrifices for her younger siblings and the unconditional love that she has for us is truly remarkable. I would not be as successful as I have been without the foundation she established for me. I admire Rita for her many unique values, including her strength, integrity, and determination.

To learn more about James and connect, visit his profile within our online member community, here.

Is there someone you would like to see in the spotlight? Send your nomination to engagement@phikappaphi.org and be sure to include basic information for the nomination.

Announcing the Link Engagement Contest Winners

Phi Kappa Phi is excited to announce the winners of our Link Engagement Contest. Members were invited to participate in the Society's exclusive members-only online community for a chance to win one of three branded items.

Lisa Ryan, from James Madison University, is our first-place winner after introducing herself in The Quad. She won a ΦKΦ backpack valued at $70.

Alexia Franky, from Florida Atlantic University, is the second-place winner. Her contributions to The Study Group earned her a lightweight jacket valued at $50.

Jill Harer, from Bradley University, joined a "What's your favorite coffee?" discussion in The Quad and scored a messenger bag valued at $35 in the process.

Join Lisa, Alexia, Jill and other Society members in the exclusive community for networking, casual chit-chat and more. Log in today and join the conversation!

Note, the community is available to active members only, and your member login will be required. For assistance with your login, email webmaster@phikappaphi.org.

Members Could Save Even More with GEICO

Through the Society’s partnership with GEICO, active Phi Kappa Phi members have access to an exclusive member discount on auto insurance and now members could save even more with the GEICO Giveback Credit!

As the second-largest private passenger auto insurer in the United States, GEICO is committed to supporting its customers during COVID-19 by providing approximately $2.5 billion through policy credits. The 15% credit will be automatically applied to new and renewing auto, motorcycle, and RV policies effective through Oct. 7. Click here to learn more and use the GEICO Giveback Estimator to calculate your credit and the date you’ll receive it.

Want to save with the GEICO member discount? Visit www.GEICO.com/PhiKappaPhi to get your free quote today and the member discount will be automatically calculated. As a Phi Kappa Phi partner, GEICO helps support the Society’s mission of recognizing and promoting academic excellence so be sure to use our link to get your free quote.

Already have a GEICO auto policy? Call 800-368-2734 to have the member discount applied. Be sure to mention your membership in The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi.

Have you taken advantage of the GEICO member discount? Share your savings story with us today!

Questions? Email Jamie Chapman, membership director.

Travel Tales: Lance Anenson

Though international travel may not look quite the same this year, the opportunity to study abroad is still a dream for many students. With the support of Phi Kappa Phi, Lance Anenson, a past Study Abroad Grant recipient, was able to make that dream a reality in the spring of 2019, and shared his adventures in Spain with us.

“For four weeks, I studied in Spain and completed a course which explored how the immigration, local history, and global crossings of Spain have affected the diversity of Madrid and shaped it into the cultural melting pot that the city has become," he said. "I attended various lectures by historians and professors, completed walking tours throughout Spain, and presented art at the Prado museum to gain first-hand experience and knowledge of the history and culture of the country."

Looking back on his experience, Anenson realized the impact it had on his education. "By visiting different buildings across Andalusia, I was able to see how different cultures influenced architecture and art when they were in power throughout the history of the Iberian Peninsula. I lived with a host family for three weeks in Madrid, and by speaking Spanish with natives each day, and I significantly improved my speaking and comprehension skills."

Phi Kappa Phi awards nearly $1 million each year to outstanding students, professionals, chapters and institutions and offers a diverse award portfolio to support members throughout their educations and careers. Anenson encourages others to apply for Society awards. "I feel very blessed to have received [the grant]. The application process was clear and straightforward, and it was definitely worth the time it took to complete."

Could you be a future award recipient? Visit www.phikappaphi.org/awards to find out which award is right for you, or click here to sign up for a reminder when award applications open.

2020-2022 Society Board of Directors, Divisional Vice Presidents and Council of Students

Voting for the Society's 2020-2022 Board of Directors and Divisional Vice Presidents was held electronically Aug. 3-6. Chapter delegates voted to elect the following positions: President-elect, Vice President for Chapter Development, five Directors, a Graduate Student Representative, an Undergraduate Student Representative and a Foundation Board of Trustees member. Voting delegates also elected the five Divisional Vice Presidents and a Council of Students has been named.

2020-2022 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

President
Dan Sandweiss, University of Maine

President-elect
Lora Becker, University of Evansville

Vice President for Chapter Development
George Randels, University of the Pacific

Director
Mahalley Allen, California State University, Chico
Edina Oestreicher, University of Connecticut
June Pilcher, Clemson University
Sharhonda Rush, BlackLine
Leslie Zenk, University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Graduate Student Representative
Christopher "Neil" Pritchard, University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Undergraduate Student Representative
Aly Nguyen, University of South Alabama

Divisional Vice Presidents
Division I – Jonathan Kotinek, Texas A&M University
Division II – Jamie Byrne-McCollum, University of Arkansas at Little Rock
Division III – Lesley Casarez, Angelo State University
Division IV – Ron Tulley, University of Findlay
Division V – Alison Gregory, Marymount University

Member, Foundation Board of Trustees
Morton Ann Gernsbacher, University of Wisconsin

2020 COUNCIL OF STUDENTS

Established in 2007, the Council is comprised of seven student vice presidents from chapters across the nation who are tasked with enhancing communication with SVPs, planning and hosting a student leadership conference, and interacting with SVPs in the Society's five divisions, among other tasks.

The new members of the council include:

• Quinn Ceilly, State University of New York at Oswego (Division III)
• Caglar Erdogan, Florida Institute of Technology (Division II)
• Tristan Hightower, University of Maryland at College Park (Division I)
• Matthew Melton, University of Kentucky (Division I)
• Aly Nguyen, University of South Alabama (Division II)
• Vivian Osei Poku, South Dakota State University (Division I)
• Christopher "Neil" Pritchard, University of North Carolina at Greensboro (Division II)

To learn more about Society leadership, visit www.phikappaphi.org/leadership.

New Member Benefit: US News Grad Compass

The Society is excited to announce that we’ve added U.S. News Grad Compass to our member benefits offerings. Thousands of students rely on Grad Compass for expanded school rankings, data and advice, and now our members can save 20% on one full year of unlimited Grad Compass access!

Let Grad Compass help you find the right graduate school and connect your education to your dream career through:

Expanded Profiles | Get expanded data and rankings for law, business, engineering, education, medical and nursing programs.

Career & Salary | Find out how much you'll make with your degree by researching employment rates and average salaries for graduates.

Test Scores | See what it takes to get into your dream school by researching average scores for the LSAT, MCAT, GMAT and GRE.

Financial Aid | Find out the average aid available in the form of grants, scholarships, student debt, fellowships and research appointments.

Student Body | Learn the breakdowns for each program between international students, gender proportions and underrepresented minorities.

Advanced Search | Search all schools and programs based on test scores and other expanded search options.

If you’re in the process of researching graduate schools, let Grad Compass help you find the perfect fit today! Click here to learn more, and use promo code PKP2020 to apply the savings to your order.

Questions? Email Jamie Chapman, membership director, at jchapman@phikappaphi.org.

Book Lovers Day Is on the Way

Do you have big plans for the weekend? You should! Sunday is National Book Lovers Day and we suggest carving out a chunk of time for diving into a great new read. Looking for ideas? How about the latest publications written by (or about) these Phi Kappa Phi members?

• Walk the Wire by David Baldacci (Virginia Commonwealth University) – The newest thriller in the Memory Man series finds Amos Decker investigating a murder in a North Dakota oil town.
• A Grand Madness: U2 Twenty Years After by Dianne Ebertt Beeaff (University of Arizona) – A memoir and travel narrative of the Irish rock band U2 from a fan's perspective.
• President Carter: The White House Years by Stuart Eisenstat – Jimmy Carter's (Georgia State University) Chief Domestic Policy Adviser shares his intimate view on how the presidency works.
• Exercise of Power by Robert Gates (Texas A&M University) – The former secretary of defense examines power in all its manifestations and how it has been exercised by American presidents in the post-Cold War world.
• Four Principles for Facing Life's Challenges by Cheryl Godley (Colorado State University) – Advice for coping with stress and making healthy choices from a licensed psychologist.
• Camino Winds by John Grisham (The University of Mississippi) – Let the master of the legal thriller sweep you away to paradise for a little sun, sand, mystery and mayhem.
• Lincoln's Informer by Carl J. Guarneri (Saint Mary's College of California) – The North's military campaigns and backroom politics, as described by President Abraham Lincoln's confidential reporter.
• Elementals by Robert J. Lima (Pennsylvania State University) – Explore the myths and physical realities of the elements that make our world – earth, air, fire and water.
• Still by Sandra Meek (Berry College) – The Forum poetry editor subverts Renaissance still-life paintings to illuminate the consequences of colonialism.
• How Language Saved Me: A Polish Story of Survival by Stefanie Nauman (Louisiana State University) – How a teen orphan's knowledge of nine languages helped him survive World War II on the run.

Share what you're reading in our exclusive member community, Link. Join the conversation!

Note, the community is available to active members only, and your member login will be required. For assistance with your login, email webmaster@phikappaphi.org.

The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi Awards 2020 Fellowships

Phi Kappa Phi today announced the recipients of its 2020 Fellowships. The fellowships, totaling $615,000, were awarded to 58 of the nation’s top scholars at institutions with an active chapter of Phi Kappa Phi. 

Established in 1932, the Phi Kappa Phi Fellowship has become the Society’s signature award, providing funding for the first year of graduate or professional study. This year’s program awarded 50 fellowships of $8,500, six $20,000 Marcus L. Urann Fellowships, named for the Society’s founder, and two awards at $35,000 each, the 1897 Fellowship and the Sherrill Carlson Fellowship.

“The Phi Kappa Phi Fellowship is the only one of our awards that requires the endorsement of an applicant’s chapter. We are proud to have the partnership of our chapters in identifying the gifted students whose applications are submitted to the Fellowship committee for review,” said Society Executive Director Dr. Mary Todd. “Since the establishment of the program, the Society has helped fund graduate education for more than 2500 Phi Kappa Phi Fellows, everyone an emerging scholar with a promising future.”

The 2020 class of fellows represents students from 58 colleges and universities across the nation. The recipients—drawn from all academic disciplines—are pursuing post-baccalaureate programs of study ranging from science and engineering to arts and humanities.

The selection process for a fellowship is based on the applicant’s evidence of graduate potential, undergraduate academic achievement, service and leadership experience, letters of recommendation, personal statement of educational perspective and career goals, and acceptance in an approved graduate or professional program.

Phi Kappa Phi Fellowships are part of the Society’s robust awards program, which gives nearly $1 million each year to outstanding members and students on chapter campuses through study abroad grants, dissertation fellowships, funding for post-baccalaureate development, member and chapter awards, and grants for local, national and international literacy initiatives.

To see the complete list of 2020 Phi Kappa Phi Fellows and learn more about the program, visit www.PhiKappaPhi.org/Fellowship.