Phi Kappa Phi’s Season of Renewal

With this first issue of 2023, Forum begins a series of editions aimed at celebrating the seasons of the year. This issue, devoted to the theme of spring, has special resonance with me because spring is a particularly active season in the life of Phi Kappa Phi. It’s the time of year when many of our chapters initiate new members, a joyous occasion on campuses across our Phi Kappa Phi community.

As colleges and universities limited physical gatherings during the worst days of COVID-19, our traditional initiation ceremonies were understandably impacted, and we initiated fewer students than we typically do.

Now, with most students back on campus, Phi Kappa Phi is in a much better posture to grow its membership, and our recent trends in that regard are encouraging. This sense of renewal, which has always been at the heart of spring, has an even deeper meaning for me right now as I reflect on the resilience our Society is continuing to demonstrate in rebounding from the pandemic.

Here in our national office, a spirit of renewal is also touching our stewardship of Phi Kappa Phi’s membership and the Society’s resources. Our staff is implementing a new Association Management System, or AMS, that will enable us to better connect with our members and serve their needs. We’ve also realigned our staffing to better serve our chapters. A wall map at our national office prominently displays the location of every one of our active chapters – approximately 325 in all, extending across the United States and its territories, Guam and Puerto Rico, as well as the Philippines. That map is a daily reminder to us of the breadth of the Society’s community – and our obligation to meet the needs of our members at the grassroots level.

Beyond the chapters where they were initiated, our members live around the globe, making us an international community. At a time when civic disengagement is widely lamented, I’m heartened – as I hope you are, too – by Phi Kappa Phi’s global network of scholars and volunteers who are doing so much good in the world.

I hope that this spring is a time of renewal and bright possibilities for each of you. Speaking of renewal, should you need to renew your membership or explore other ways to sustain Phi Kappa Phi’s mission through giving opportunities, feel free to visit our website, phikappaphi.org.

Should you have any suggestions, I encourage you to reach me at bnewcomer@phikappaphi.org.

Featured Fellow - Elizabeth Ritchie

Phi Kappa Phi is proud to feature 2022 Fellow, Elizabeth Ritchie. This past fall, Ritchie began work on her master’s in Collaborative Piano at Arizona State University.

As an undergraduate Ritchie earned her bachelor's degree in Piano Performance from James Madison University in May 2022. During her undergraduate tenure, she participated in the JMU Honors College and worked as a peer instructor for JMU Academic Success Program. Additionally, she won the James Madison University Piano Area Concerto Competition twice and played with various ensembles. Her goal is to use music as a medium to bridge communication barriers.

The deadline to apply for one of 62 Phi Kappa Phi Fellowships is April 15, 2023. The Society will award 54 Fellowships of $8,500 each, six at $20,000 each, and two at $35,000 each to members entering their first year of graduate or professional study.

Since its creation in 1932, the Fellowship Program has become one of the Society's most visible and financially well-supported endeavors, allocating $649,000 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.

Ritchie stated, " making music with another human is intrinsically a practice in empathy, as I must work to simultaneously communicate my own story, understand my partner’s story, and mold both of them into one coherent story for our listener.”

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 15. Applicants must apply through their local chapter. Chapter deadlines vary, typically two weeks prior to the national deadline. Check with your chapter.

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

Member Mentions - Elizabeth Sumiec

Elizabeth Sumiec hails from Sussex, Wisconsin, and is passionate about cancer research. In 2021, she completed the first step of her journey to becoming a medical doctor when she received a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

While at UW-Madison, Elizabeth completed three years of human oncology research into radiation and immunotherapeutic interventions against melanoma and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. She was also initiated into Phi Kappa Phi, volunteered with children from low-income housing to improve their math and reading skills, served as a chemistry and biochemistry teaching assistant, and worked with multiple clubs on campus to raise food donations.

Elizabeth went on to earn a master’s degree in global health systems theory and policy from Queen Mary University of London in 2022. While attending QM, she worked in Dr. Belinda Nedjai’s cancer lab to identify prognostic markers and low-cost screening tests for cancers with a high burden in low- and middle-income countries.

Elizabeth has been accepted to the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health and plans to graduate in 2027. Her long-term goal is to actively care for the cancer community while investigating early detection and screening methods that are low-cost and widely accessible to reduce instances of late-stage cancer.

Let’s get to know Elizabeth!

Why did you accept the invitation to join Phi Kappa Phi?

I decided to accept my invitation to join Phi Kappa Phi not only because I knew of the reputation and community formed through the Society from older peers but also because I valued the opportunity to join a globally-connected, multidisciplinary group that I could draw from as I advanced into a professional career and beyond.

Who is your hero?

Although I have never been one to have heroes, I really look up to the female mentors I have had in my field, including Amber Bates, Claire Baniel, Dorota Scibior-Bentkowska, and Belinda Nedjai. They have not only tirelessly shared advice and supported my aspirations, but also, they have set an example for the types of things women working in cancer care and research, a heavily male-dominated field, can achieve.

What is your favorite sport to watch?

My favorite sport to watch is basketball. I played competitively until I started university, so I can cheer like I’m on the court. Of course, I have to say my favorite team is my alma mater–the Wisconsin Badgers.

What is the best gift you have been given?

The best gift I have been given was tickets to the Chelsea Flower Show in London. Although I am a terrible gardener, I absolutely love admiring flowers, especially lupines, and this was one of the largest displays I had ever seen.

When did you develop a passion for cancer treatment accessibility?

My first experience working with cancer patients was at eighteen when I was a certified nursing assistant in the Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin cancer clinic and hospital. Then, I became intimately involved in cancer research at the University of Wisconsin and eventually traveled to study population health in Nepal. These experiences created my passion for improving prognosis and screening techniques to significantly reduce the burden of late-stage cancer.

What is your favorite food or type of cuisine?

My favorite cuisine is Indian–the only food I have found that can surpass my spice limits, and I love testing my limits on different curries with naan.

What accomplishment are you most proud of?

I am most proud of my decision to move to London to earn a master’s degree. It was scary at first to move as far away as I did, but since being here, I’ve had the opportunity to work with and become friends with people from across the globe–drawing from their experiences to inform how I see the world and how I hope to connect with my future patients. I wouldn’t have had such experiences if I had remained in Wisconsin.

What’s the best vacation you’ve ever been on?

The best vacation I have been on was this past summer when my family visited where I live in London. It was special as they finally got to see the places I’ve grown to love over the year, and it concluded with a one-on-one trip with my older sister. We backpacked through the Dolomites, staying in huts dotted along the Northern Italian Alps.

What are you most thankful for?

I am most thankful for my family. Because of their encouragement, motivation and support, I have been able to continue pursuing my career aspirations, no matter if they’ve taken me an hour away from our hometown or across the globe. I couldn’t have achieved what I have without them.

What is your favorite movie?

My favorite movie is Hillbilly Elegy; however, Marvel’s Thor Ragnarok and Disney’s Finding Dory are a close second and third.

To learn more about Elizabeth and connect, visit her 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 include background information for the nomination.

Forum Features: The Wonder of Spring

The latest edition of the Phi Kappa Phi Forum will be arriving in your mailbox soon. Forum 2023 starts with a celebration of the seasons, beginning with “The Wonder of Spring.” The featured stories, regular columnists, and even our custom crossword puzzle will all dive deeper into that idea.

The feature articles discuss:

A LEGACY OF LEARNING-A major gift from the late Evelyn Margaret DeMuynck will help Phi Kappa Phi extend the love of learning she embraced throughout her life.

FLEETING LIGHT- In spring’s transient brilliance, artist Adam Van Doren sees a big part of its allure.

SO FAR, THE CENTER HOLDS – For Georgia naturalist Janisse Ray, spring still brings familiar patterns even in a world disrupted by change.

HEROES UP CLOSE – At spring training, writer Peter Funt and many other fans have sometimes seen baseball icons face to face.

TWO POETS – Since spring tends to be a banner season for poets, Forum caught up with Rita Dove and Billy Collins.

As always, we welcome letters to the editor, member news, poetry submissions and story ideas for upcoming themes. Visit our Forum page to learn more.

The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi Announces 2023 Dissertation Fellows

The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation’s oldest and most selective all-discipline collegiate honor society, today announced the recipients of a 2023 Phi Kappa Phi Dissertation Fellowship. The $10,000 fellowships are designed to support active Society members in the dissertation writing stage of doctoral study.

This year’s class of fellows represents a group of 15 students spanning a number of academic disciplines from science and technology to arts and humanities.

The 2023 Phi Kappa Phi Dissertation Fellows are:

• Petra Banks, Texas State University
• Cassandra Beattie, Kansas State University
• Paige Figanbaum, University of Nevada, Las Vegas
• Justin Z. Goldstein, Texas State University
• Jessica N. Hoyle, University of North Carolina at Charlotte
• Sojung Huh, Texas State University
• Wesley Jeffrey, University of California, Irvine
• Hong-My Nguyen, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
• Dylan O’Hara, University of Maine
• Iqra Pervaiz, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
• Rotana M. Radwan, Virginia Commonwealth University
• Keyur Savla, University of Alabama at Birmingham
• Elliot Varney, University of Mississippi Medical Center
• Rachel Washburn, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
• Emily Wiedenmeyer, Texas State University

“In its mission to support academic excellence and engage the community of scholars in service to others, Phi Kappa Phi created its Dissertation Fellowship to enable doctoral students to have the necessary resources to support the writing phase of their studies. By providing financial assistance to these doctoral students, our Society supports their continued academic and service journey,” said Society Executive Director and CEO Bradley Newcomer. “We are proud to support these scholars and look forward to seeing their completed dissertations in the not-so-distant future.”

The recipients were selected based on a number of criteria including how the fellowship will contribute to the completion of the dissertation, the significance of original research, and endorsement by the dissertation chair.

Established in 2014, the dissertation fellowships are part of the Society’s robust award and grants portfolio, which gives $1.3 million each year to outstanding students and members through study abroad grants, graduate fellowships, funding for post-baccalaureate development, member and chapter awards, and grants for local, national and international literacy initiatives.

To learn more about the Phi Kappa Phi Dissertation Fellowship Program and this year’s recipients, please visit www.phikappaphi.org/dissertation.

The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi Announces 2023 Graduate Research Grant

The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation’s oldest and most selective all-discipline collegiate honor society, today announced the recipients of its Graduate Research Grants. The grants of up to $1,500 are designed to support graduate students who are active Society members seeking funding for research in support of career development opportunities.

The 20 grant recipients include students spanning a number of academic disciplines:

• Sabrina Rahman Archie, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
• Elisabeth Cuerrier-Richer, Texas State University
• Lacy Dolan, Mississippi State University
• Emma Erwin, University of Maine
• Shreyas Gaikwad, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
• Mario Jackson, North Carolina State University
• Ashley Jellison, University of Louisiana at Monroe
• Arjun Kafle, Texas Tech University
• Elizabeth L. Leclerc, University of Maine
• Aubree Marshall, Radford University
• Hong-My Nguyen, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
• Donovan Nichols, The University of Toledo
• Aine Norris, Old Dominion University
• Dylan O’Hara, University of Maine
• Mariam Oladejo, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
• Kartik Kumar Rajagopalan, Texas A&M University
• Alexandra C. Sheldon, University of Texas at San Antonio
• Brannon Smithwick, University of Southern California
• Natasha Strydhorst Unsworth, Texas Tech University
• Xinwen Zhang, University of Texas at Arlington

“The Graduate Research Grant program has had another amazing year. This year’s recipients represent a diversity of institutions and disciplines. I am excited to see this award program fill an important need for our graduate student members. It is a privilege to part of their academic journey, and we look forward to seeing their works mature in the future,” said Society Executive Director and CEO Bradley Newcomer.

Established in 2018, the grants are part of the Society’s robust award and grant portfolio, which gives $1.3 million each year to outstanding students and members through study abroad grants, graduate fellowships, funding for post-baccalaureate development, member and chapter awards, and grants for local, national and international literacy initiatives.

To learn more about the Phi Kappa Phi Graduate Research Grant and this year’s recipients, please visit www.PhiKappaPhi.org/GraduateResearch.

Free GRE Practice Test

Preparing for the GRE? If so, you don’t want to miss this free GRE Practice Test, hosted by Phi Kappa Phi partner, The Princeton Review, on Saturday, April 29, at 9 a.m. CT.

Find out how you will score on the real GRE by taking a full-length practice test under realistic testing conditions. Try your hand at the types of questions you’ll see on the real test and get a personalized score report highlighting your strengths and areas of improvement.

Click here to register now.

If you are looking for in-depth review courses, test prep materials, or tutoring, don’t forget that the Society is partnered with The Princeton Review to offer members savings of up to 15% off all classroom, online and self-paced test prep courses for the GRE, GMAT, MCAT, LSAT, and more. Click here to access our exclusive promo codes and learn more. (Your member login will be required.)

Here are more resources that may help you prepare for graduate school:

What is the GRE | Review in-depth information about the GRE, including how to register, how the exam is scored, when scores expire, subjects tested and more.

Advice and Tips | Find all the answers to your questions and get sage advice from The Princeton Review team.

GRE vs GMAT | Learn more about each exam and find out which one is right for you.

Find the Right Business School | Compare business schools based on location, concentrations, tuition costs, and more.

Since 2005, our members have trusted The Princeton Review to help them prepare for test day and achieve their academic goals, and you can too!

Announcing the 2023 Phi Kappa Phi Week Chapter Awards

Phi Kappa Phi and the Council of Students are proud to announce the recipients of the 2023 Phi Kappa Phi Week Awards. During the first week of February, chapters were encouraged to celebrate member achievements and host activities that increased chapter awareness across the campus. This year’s activities included information tables with giveaways, social media campaigns, and “Phi Kappa Phi(riday).”

The chapters selected for the awards are:

Brenau University

Eastern Michigan University

Youngstown State University

University of Arkansas at Little Rock

Brenau University (Chapter 301) started the week with PKP Apparel Day, during which members were encouraged to wear their PKP pin, navy and gold, or other PKP gear. In the middle of the week, the chapter hosted a Member Lunch and PKP Information Table. The chapter ended the week with Social Media Day, where members were encouraged to post photos from the week with the hashtags #PKPproud and #PhiKappaPhi.


To promote knowledge of campus history, Eastern Michigan University (Chapter 154) sponsored a campus-wide online scavenger hunt via the chapter's Facebook page. Each day a clue was posted to the chapter's page that asked participants to identify a campus landmark. Correct entries were entered into a drawing for five, $5 coffee shop gift cards.


The student vice presidents at Youngstown State University (Chapter 143) hosted an informational table on “Phi Kappa Phi(riday).” A jar of jelly beans served as contest element, and correct guesses of the number of jelly beans were awarded with a PKP t-shirt. Window clings with the PKP logo were available, and informational brochures were handed out with instructions for applying for Phi Kappa Phi scholarships and awards. A Phi Kappa Phi coffee mug and USB drives were also awarded as prizes.


The University of Arkansas at Little Rock (Chapter 134) was prominently featured on the University’s marquee, thanks to their student vice presidents. Early in the week the chapter launched the latest Essay Contest and held Phi Kappa Phi Awareness Day. Later in the week the chapter delivered three boxes of books to ARKids Read, a volunteer-based literacy intervention program. And the chapter closed out the week with a Facebook Photo Challenge and awarded a $25 gift card to the winner.


The Society and the Council of Students are proud of the efforts of each of the participating chapters during Phi Kappa Phi Week and are hopeful these activities will inspire other chapters to do the same on their campuses. Each of the four chapters selected will be awarded a $200 monetary contribution from the national office in recognition of their work. If you have any questions, please contact Edward White, assistant director of chapter services, at ewhite@phikappaphi.org.

GEICO Partnership Discontinued

On March 31, 2023, the Society’s partnership with GEICO will end. As a result, members will no longer be eligible to receive a discount on their GEICO auto policies.

GEICO will contact all Phi Kappa Phi members who currently use the discount with more information; however, we encourage members to contact GEICO directly at (800) 368-2734 with any questions.

To learn more about other GEICO discounts and special programs you may qualify for, visit www.GEICO.com/Save or call (800) 368-2734.

To learn more about all the discounts available to Phi Kappa Phi members, visit www.PhiKappaPhi.org/Discounts.

Questions for Phi Kappa Phi? Please contact Jamie Chapman at jchapman@phikappaphi.org or (800) 804-9880, ext. 217.

Free Webinar: Getting Into Medical School

Preparing to apply for medical school? If so, you don’t want to miss this free Getting Into Medical School Webinar, hosted by Phi Kappa Phi partner, The Princeton Review. Join us on Wednesday, April 19, at 7 p.m. CT as we review medical school application timelines and what you should expect. Plus, you will learn about everything you need for your medical school application and how to stay on the right track.

Click here to register now.

If you are looking for in-depth review courses, test prep materials, or tutoring, don’t forget that the Society is partnered with The Princeton Review to offer members savings of up to 15% off all classroom, online and self-paced test prep courses for the MCAT, LSAT, GMAT, GRE, and more. Click here to access our exclusive promo codes and learn more. (Your member login will be required.)

Here are more resources that may help you prepare for medical school:

Knowledge is Power | Review in-depth information about the MCAT, including how much it costs, how long the test is, and the maximum score you can earn.

Medical School Admissions Counseling | Medical school admission is fierce, and The Princeton Review’s goal is to get you noticed. Get started by taking their survey to find out where you stand right now as a medical school applicant.

Medical School Management Tool | Access The Princeton Review’s free medical school management tools and reminders to make sure you build your medical school application the right way.

Dedicated 1-on-1 Support | Access expert instruction with flexible schedules and locations. Learn more about MCAT private tutoring.

Upcoming Webinars and Archive | Access a wide range of medical school topics, from crafting your personal statement to why high MCAT scores can still be rejected.

Find the Right Medical School | Compare medical schools based on location, admissions criteria, concentrations, tuition costs, and more.

Since 2005, our members have trusted The Princeton Review to help them prepare for test day and achieve their academic goals, and you can too!



Travel Tales: Jessica Marelli

Phi Kappa Phi’s Study Abroad Grants are designed to help support undergraduate students, members, or non-members, as they gain experience in their academic fields by studying abroad. One hundred twenty-five $1,000 grants are awarded each year. With the help of a grant in 2022, Jessica Marelli, from University of California-Davis, was able to travel to Thailand to study Microbiology.

Jessica's program was an unforgettable experience as she was fully immersed in the Thai culture. As part of the microbiology lab, they took field trips to the local markets to collect samples to be cultured and analyzed, as well as excursions to the Grand Palace, ancient capital of Ayutthaya, the Palace of Bang Pa in Wat Pho, and more.

Her days were filled with learning and adventures. “One of the most special parts of this program was taking a 6-day excursion to the provinces of Krabi and Phuket where we enjoyed sea kayaking, snorkeling, walks in the jungle, local temples, and architectural heritage sites,” shared Marelli.

Marelli shared what it was like to receive the award saying, “I am so grateful to have been able to experience Thai culture, temples, and expand my palate by trying many types of Thai cuisine.” She noted that it was an incredible, rewarding experience and added, “It was a life-changing experience in which I got the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in health-related microbiology and infectious diseases!"

Do you want to be one of our 2023 Study Abroad Grant recipients? Click here to learn more and apply by March 15.




Ease Tax Season Stress with Phi Kappa Phi Partners

Phi Kappa Phi and its partners are here to help you check filing your taxes off your to-do list! Learn how to make tax season less taxing by putting your member benefits to work for you.

Franklin Planner can help as you gather your tax and financial documents. If you itemize expenses, reduce the stress of money management by documenting your financial activities with an auto mileage log or a financial plans supplement. They both offer a comprehensive set of forms to track your expenses, and you can save 15% when you use code PKPMember.

Filing taxes on your own? Our partner, ODP Business Solutions, formerly Office Depot, has you covered with a complete line of tax solutions. Shop tax forms, envelopes, software and e-file solutions, all designed for your specific needs and to help boost your bottom line. Shop at OfficeDiscounts.org/PKP/ to access member-only savings up to 75%.

As Tax Day approaches, we encourage you to be on the lookout for identity theft. Scammers can steal your information to submit fraudulent tax returns and steal your tax refunds, but you can beat the scammers by taking steps to protect yourself. Our partner, LifeLock, offers Phi Kappa Phi members a 35% discount on their first year. Click here to learn more and enroll in minutes.

The IRS recommends storing a backup of your tax records, and our partner, Carbonite, can help you do just that. Keep your tax and financial documents safe and get peace of mind with an easy-to-use cloud backup plan that stores clean copies of your data and is accessible whenever you need them. Active members can save 10% on any Carbonite plan subscription with promo code PHIKPOFFER10. Visit www.Carbonite.com to find the backup plan that works best for you.

With tax season in full swing, it is time to get your finances in order, and we hope our partners can help take some of the stress out of this hectic time of year.

To learn more about all the discounts available to active Phi Kappa Phi members, visit www.PhiKappaPhi.org/Discounts.

Graduation Regalia is Available for Order

Phi Kappa Phi membership is a stamp of excellence and a symbol of your hard work throughout your academic career. We encourage you to display all you have worked so hard for on graduation day with Society-branded regalia.

Honor stoles, cords, tassels, and the Phi Kappa Phi medallion, are available for purchase in our online store at www.PhiKappaPhiStore.org. Items can be purchased individually, or you can save more than $15 when you select the recognition bundle. Plus, members can take advantage of free shipping on orders of $50 or more.

Please note that graduation recognition items are available for members only, and your eight-digit Phi Kappa Phi member ID will be required to validate your purchase. You can find your ID within your membership account at Members.PhiKappaPhi.org/Profile and on your membership card.

Keep in mind that graduation regalia makes a priceless keepsake, and the Society’s partner, Church Hill Classics, offers customizable Phi Kappa Phi branded frames for your stole and medallion. You can even design a frame for your membership certificate. Visit www.DiplomaFrame.com/PKP to design a one-of-a-kind certificate frame today!

Featured Fellow: Claire Bunn

Phi Kappa Phi is proud to feature 2022 Marcus L. Urann Fellow, Claire Bunn. This past fall, Bunn began work on her Ph. D. in the Department of Physiology, Development, and Neuroscience at the University of Cambridge.

As an undergraduate Bunn earned her bachelor's degree, in Genetics from the University of Georgia in May 2022. Throughout her undergraduate tenure she was active in the honors program, including serving on the Honors Student Council, on which she rose to leadership as co-president. As a researcher, Bunn worked in labs at the University of Georgia and Vanderbilt University Medical Center and served as an undergraduate research assistant for the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Her career goal is to become a physician-scientist, where she plans to identify pressing problems and drive innovative solutions to improve patient outcomes.

The deadline to apply for one of 62 Phi Kappa Phi Fellowships is April 15, 2023. The Society will award 54 Fellowships of $8,500 each, six at $20,000 each, and two at $35,000 each to members entering their first year of graduate or professional study.   

Since its creation in 1932, the Fellowship Program has become one of the Society's most visible and financially well-supported endeavors, allocating $649,000 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.   

Bunn stated, "A Phi Kappa Phi Fellowship would offer personal support during my training, enabling me to take scientific risks and continue placing the immediate needs of others above my own."

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 15. Applicants must apply through their local chapter. Chapter deadlines vary, typically two weeks prior to the national deadline. Check with your chapter. 

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