ΦKΦ Member Spotlight

Stephen Hawthorne, from Freehold, New Jersey, has always had a passion for entrepreneurship. That interest led him to major in both finance and entrepreneurship at Elon University where he joined Phi Kappa Phi in 2020 and graduated earlier this year.

As a financial advisor with an independent wealth management firm, he works to help clients achieve their financial goals. But for himself, one of his biggest accomplishments was achieved during college when he joined with his roommates to start an apparel business. Their company, Good to See You, was founded with the goal of sharing a positive and uplifting message, and the greeting now adorns shirts, hats and other products which are sold in three states and online. The partners are also two-time recipients of grants from the Acorn Fund which gives entrepreneurs at Elon starting capital to expand their ventures.

Stephen has also been an active volunteer lending his assistance to Habitat for Humanity, the Positive Youth Center, Kopper Top, Relay for Life and more. In high school, he volunteered with a the I Can Bike program and taught individuals with disabilities how to ride traditional two-wheels bicycles.

Let's get to know Stephen!

Why did you accept the invitation to join Phi Kappa Phi?
I accepted the invitation to join Phi Kappa Phi because being invited to join such a highly renowned honor society was a huge honor. I consider the invitation a testament to all the hard work and countless hours of studying I put in to attain high academic standing. I also knew that being a part of an honor society would be an amazing resource for expanding my network with like-minded, high-performance individuals.

Who is your favorite band?
My favorite band is the Zac Brown Band! I really enjoy how they take different elements of country, classic and modern rock music to create a unique sound that does not conform to any one genre. They are also amazing to see in concert!

What is your favorite holiday?
My favorite holiday is Christmas! I grew up in an Italian-American household and we follow the Italian tradition of the Seven Fishes so the food is always excellent. It is also the time of year where I find myself reflecting the most and truly giving thanks for everything I have.

What is something you’re impressively good at?
I have always been a good swimmer and was the captain of my varsity swim team in high school. Swimming remains my favorite way to exercise and work out.

What is your drink of choice?
Iced coffee. It is essential to maintaining a high level of productivity throughout the day.

What do you do when you’re in the mood to do nothing?
When I am in the mood to do nothing, I will typically either listen to entrepreneurial podcasts or watch an episode or two of whatever show I am into at the time. Most recently, I have been really into Suits and it has become one of my most favorite TV series.

What do your friends love most about you?
I think my friends enjoy my humor and ability to plan ahead. Whenever we go on trips as a friend group, I really enjoy making sure that our time away is the best it possibly can be. I like finding great places to stay, activities to do and places to eat to make sure everyone has a great time!

What is the best advice you have ever received?
The best advice I have received is that you have to love what you do or you will give up. I have seen this play out the most in my clothing brand, Good to See You. Starting a business from scratch while being a full-time student took a lot of hard work, but the joy and passion I have for building our company has given me a true sense of purpose and fulfillment, unlike anything I have ever experienced. I found myself working 10-hour days over and over throughout my senior year trying to pursue this dream, but it never felt like work for a second because I love the process.

What’s one thing you still have from your childhood?
I have a necklace that I received from my grandparents for my confirmation. I still wear it every single day.

What is something that makes you feel like a kid again?
Riding my motorcycle. I have been riding and racing motorcycles since I was a kid, and every time I go out for a ride it gives me the same amount of joy and excitement as I had when I first started riding.

To learn more about Stephen 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.

Member Mentions – September 2021

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:

Charlotte Hinger (Fort Hays State University) was inducted into the Colorado Authors Hall of Fame. Hinger has published both fiction and nonfiction primarily focused on the Western experience with an emphasis on the Black experience in the historical West.

Audrey Cielinski Kessler (The University of Texas at Austin) has been elected the vice chair of the Portage County Board of Building Appeals in Portage, Ohio.

Tanzilya Oren (Fordham University) was awarded the 2021 Community Partnership Action Award by the Council on Social Work Education. The award is given to honor the contributions of schools and departments of social work and social work students in advancing community partnership action.

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

Literacy Spotlight: Readers to Leaders

In addition to being National Literacy Month, September is also peak hurricane season for the Atlantic Ocean. In September 2017, two hurricanes made their way across the Turks and Caicos Islands causing extensive damage. For Anna Handte-Reinecker, earning a Phi Kappa Phi Literacy Grant meant the opportunity to help those impacted recover some of the losses.

The small fishing island of South Caicos was hit particularly hard by the hurricanes with schools, homes and public buildings sustaining severe damage. "The Iris Stubbs Primary School and island library were completely destroyed, while the other schools were left in various states of destruction and disrepair," said Handte-Reinecker. Though years have passed since, the island continues to rebuild and the negative impacts of the hurricane still linger.

Handte-Reinecker applied for a Literacy Grant and set out to make a difference. In support of the approximately 400 students on the island, the project's main focus was to provide literacy supplies that included bilingual material, activity books, Caribbean literature and more. "By providing teachers with a wide variety of books, the goal is for students to leave the classroom better prepared to succeed in their exams and throughout their lives," she said.

With support from the School for Field Studies Center for Marine Resource Studies, on South Caicos, and a Literacy Grant from Phi Kappa Phi, Handte-Reinecker was able to purchase more than 200 books that were sent to the island earlier this summer. The materials were delivered to three schools on the island to prepare for the students' return this fall.

Looking to the future, Handte-Reinecker hopes that the book delivery will "will help students explore different cultures, nurture a love of reading, and support teachers in various subjects from pre-kindergarten through high school."

Click here to learn more about Phi Kappa Phi Literacy Grants or to sign up for a reminder when applications open in December.

Panel Discussion: Phi Kappa Phi and Peace Corps - A Commitment to Service

Since 1961, the Peace Corps has provided a service opportunity for motivated individuals to visit communities abroad and create long-lasting change. In keeping with Phi Kappa Phi's mission of being in service to others, the two organizations have partnered to highlight the skills that Society members have to contribute to Peace Corps service. Join us online for a panel discussion on Oct. 20 at 3 p.m. CT to hear from Peace Corps volunteers who are also Phi Kappa Phi members.

Though Peace Corps service asks a lot of its volunteers, it also has a lot to give. Your service to others reaps countless rewards that can also advance your studies and career. Not only can you immerse yourself in a new culture and learn a new language, but you can have the experience of a lifetime.

Randi Dermo is a Phi Kappa Phi member and Peace Corps volunteer. "I feel both organizations are dedicated to service and attract individuals with a strong curiosity about the world. Like Phi Kappa Phi, Peace Corps offers people of all ages the opportunity to use their knowledge to serve others, and to gain further experience and skills abroad, which can then benefit their communities at home," she said. "By attending this event, I hope that honor society members will gain a deeper understanding of Peace Corps’ mission, how its values overlap with those of Phi Kappa Phi, and how they, too, can potentially serve others as Peace Corps volunteers.”

The benefits for volunteers last through your time in service and well beyond. While serving abroad, volunteers receive housing, a stipend, health and dental benefits and more. When returning home, volunteers have the opportunity to bring their newly-gained skills into the work force, as well as access Peace Corps career support, networking and graduate school benefits.

Want to hear more and see how Peace Corps service can make an impact on your own life and the world at large? Visit the Peace Corps website at www.peacecorps.gov or join us at the panel discussion on Oct. 20 by registering at this link today.

Fall into Savings from GEICO

As the temperatures go down, so could your cost on auto insurance! Phi Kappa Phi members could fall into savings on auto insurance with a special member discount from GEICO.

As the second-largest private passenger auto insurer in the United States, GEICO provides coverage for millions of policyholders and vehicles. For more than a decade, the Society has partnered with GEICO to extend a special member discount, including a free, no-obligation auto and homeowners quote.

In keeping with our ongoing partnership, GEICO makes contributions to the Society in support of our mission to recognize and promote academic excellence through our awards program totaling more than $1 million each year.

To request your free quote and see if you qualify for the discount, visit www.GEICO.com/PhiKappaPhi. Existing GEICO customers may also be eligible for the discount. Call 800-368-2734 to find out and be sure to mention your membership in The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi.

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

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

Phi Kappa Phi is now accepting applications for its 2022 Excellence in Innovation Award. The deadline for interested institutions to apply for the $100,000 award is Dec. 15, 2021.

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 highlighting inventive and inspiring programs on college and university campuses across the country,” said Traci Navarre, the Society’s acting executive director.

The Excellence in Innovation Award, first awarded in 2016 is the Society’s only award for institutions. The Society gives more than $1 million each year to outstanding students and members through study abroad grants, graduate fellowships and funding for post-baccalaureate development.

For more information including award criteria, eligibility, and timeline details, visit www.PhiKappaPhi.org/Innovation.

Extend the Conversation: What Are Your Keepsakes of Friendship?

Our summer 2021 issue of Forum, which is devoted to the theme of friendship, includes an essay by Stephanie Powell Watts which mentions a stuffed zebra she got from a friend long ago, a keepsake she continues to treasure. If you missed her essay, you can read it here.

What are the physical treasures you keep to remind you of a friendship? It might be an old record album you once enjoyed with friends, a pan or coffee pot passed between roommates, a piece of jewelry made at summer camp.

We'd love to hear from you. Extend the conversation in our online member community Link.

The community is available to active members only, and you will be required to log in with your Phi Kappa Phi credentials. For login assistance, email webmaster@phikappaphi.org.

Not active? Click here to renew your membership and gain access to this exclusive benefit.

Literacy Spotlight: An E-Café for Nurses in India

Today is International Literacy Day – a day which has been celebrated on Sept. 8 since its founding in 1966 by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. The Society embraces UNESCO's goal of striving for a more literate world. As we mark the day, along with our monthlong celebration of Literacy Month, we're shining a spotlight on a past Literacy Grant recipient.

In Bengaluru, India, amid a culture where nurses are often marginalized due to the historic suppression of women, Shelby Garner and her colleagues are working to provide the technology needed to enhance an e-café for students at the Bangalore Baptist Hospital. The e-café will be located in a living and learning center at the hospital. The program recruits qualified young women from rural villages who have little opportunities for higher education and provides scholarships for them to attend the nursing institute.

Garner, who was initiated into Phi Kappa Phi at Texas Woman's University, is an associate professor at the Baylor University. Baylor has formed a team of professors who are setting up online classrooms for the BBH students.

She shared that even though the grant would help purchase technology such as tablets and laptops for the e-café, the scope of the project will involve much more. "This technology will give these students the resources they need to collaborate with experts globally. One goal of this project is to uplift nursing students by providing the latest technologies to improve their health literacy and improve learning through collaboration with experts worldwide," she reported.

Though the COVID-19 pandemic has slowed their progress, the project remains on track to launch in January. She hopes to travel to India to help with the launch but feels confident it can proceed even if she's prevented from doing so. "Currently in India, many of the students were sent home under the mandatory shutdown but things are improving," she shared. "We hope to have the Living and Learning Centre with Smart Classrooms fully occupied by January. Even if it is not occupied, the modules will be launched for students to access from their homes as some have availability of technology there."

Looking into the future, Garner added, "My hope is that this project will be sustainable where students have free access to technology in their living spaces to use to increase their health literacy as they prepare to care for and teach patients, improving the health literacy of an entire community."

To hear more about the project from Garner, click here. To learn more about the Literacy Grants program or to sign up for a reminder when applications open, click here.

Celebrate National Literacy Month with Phi Kappa Phi

September is National Literacy Month, and Wednesday, Sept. 8 marks the celebration of International Literacy Day. The worldwide event's goal is to draw attention to the importance of literacy and build a more literate society.

As part of Phi Kappa Phi's ongoing support of education and lifelong learning, the Society will devote the entire month to literacy awareness. Want to join us? Here are some ways to get involved:

• Follow our blog as we highlight various literacy projects launched by our members.
• Connect with us on social media to share your literacy initiatives using #PKPLovesLiteracy.
• Join the conversation in our online community to tell us about literacy programs championed by you or your chapter.
• Sign up to receive a reminder when our Literacy Grant applications open for next year.
• Plan a literacy-based project for your chapter’s Fall Service Project.
• Read about our 2021 Literacy Grant recipients and their projects.

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