Thursday, November 29, 2018

Phi Kappa Phi Announces Study Abroad Grant Recipients

Phi Kappa Phi today announced the Session B recipients of a 2018 Phi Kappa Phi Study Abroad Grant. The $1,000 grants were awarded to 25 students across the nation.

The grants are designed to support undergraduates, both members and nonmembers from campuses that have Phi Kappa Phi chapters, as they seek expanded knowledge and experience in their academic fields by studying abroad.

“Studying abroad provides students with an important opportunity to experience learning in a culture other than their own,” said Society Executive Director Dr. Mary Todd. “We are pleased to help open doors to expanded global knowledge and meaningful engagement with different cultures through our study abroad grants.”

The selection process for a study abroad grant is based on the applicant’s academic achievement, campus and community service, relation of travel to academic preparation and career goals, a personal statement, letters of recommendation and acceptance into a study abroad program.

Established in 2001, the Study Abroad Grant Program has awarded more than $800,000 to undergraduate students. The grants are part of the Society’s robust portfolio of award programs, which give nearly $1 million each year to outstanding students and members through graduate and dissertation fellowships, funding for post-baccalaureate development, and grants for local, national and international literacy initiatives.

For the complete list of recipients, click here. The application process for 2019 will open on December 15, 2018.

Wednesday, November 28, 2018

Chapter Update – November 2018

By Kay White
Chapter Development Director

The Phi Kappa Phi chapter at the University of North Alabama recently held an event that had a wonderful impact on the campus community – a Midterm Coffee Break. It gave the students and faculty a moment to stop, take a break, and talk a little about what Phi Kappa Phi is all about!

Stephanie Montgomery, chapter president, had the student vice presidents take the lead in organizing a “Morning Coffee with Phi Kappa Phi” event during midterm week.

During the event, the chapter gave away a free cup of coffee and a sweet treat. The cup of coffee was not in a disposable cup, but rather in a ceramic mug, personalized for the chapter by an online store.

Stephanie ordered 75 mugs in with the Phi Kappa Phi logo in black and white. On the back of the mugs she personalized it by adding “University of North Alabama, Chapter 132 est. 1971”. A promotional poster had been created for the first time the event was held, and she used it again this time around.

Stephanie says, “It was a big success – they had about 40 or so individuals stop for coffee and a cookie. Best of all, all attendees seemed to be very appreciative! It went over really well. We were set up outside, and caught people as they were heading to class. Some students initially said they didn’t want coffee, until we told them we had a free mug! We advertised it to our members, but we gave away coffee, treats, and a mug to anyone who wanted one.”

It is great to hear about gatherings like these! Of course, they take time to plan and execute, but the visibility for the chapter on campus is well worth it. In my opinion, this is one that is a good potential “Welcome Back” event for the fall.

If you have any events you would like to share, please contact me at kwhite@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.

Tuesday, November 27, 2018

24 Hours Only! Give Back, Make an Impact

Today is Giving Tuesday! It's a day dedicated to giving back after the many shopping deals of Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

Do you ever worry that a gift you give will end up collecting dust on a shelf or in a closet? By making a gift to Phi Kappa Phi on Giving Tuesday, you’ll know that you’re giving a meaningful gift that can last a lifetime.

From fellowships for graduate education to grants for literacy initiatives and study abroad, donations made today to the Phi Kappa Phi Foundation will help support the Society's award programs. These programs make a difference in the lives of deserving students, members and communities around the world—and they are made possible only through the generosity of our donors.

Please join us today, November 27, by making a tax-deductible gift in support of our award programs. All donations, no matter the size, will play a part in transforming the lives of students and members across the nation.

Your gift could make the difference—it could determine the path a student chooses after graduation, or give someone that extra push to pursue continued education many years later, or put books in the hands of young learners in communities both near and far.

“Since our first participation in Giving Tuesday in 2015, each year we’ve seen more and more Phi Kappa Phi members express their commitment to the love of learning through their generosity,” said Society Executive Director Dr. Mary Todd. “Every gift, small or large, contributes to the learning opportunities our awards programs offer. Thank you for taking a moment today, November 27, to become a Giving Tuesday donor.” 


When you give on Giving Tuesday, you won't just be making a donation. You'll be making a lasting impact.

The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi to Install Chapter 350 at St. Catherine University

The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi will install its 350th chapter at St. Catherine University in Minnesota today, November 27.

The installation of the St. Catherine chapter comes after a thorough petitioning process and approval from the Society’s board of directors. To be eligible, an institution must be a regionally accredited four-year college or university with an established reputation of excellence and an expressed commitment to upholding the values of the Society.

“The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi is pleased to welcome St. Catherine University to its community of scholars,” said Society Executive Director Dr. Mary Todd. “St. Kate’s strong commitment to women’s education is grounded in a solid culture of learning and the university’s longstanding values of academic excellence, community, integrity, social justice and reflection.”

Officers elected by the chartering group to serve the newly installed chapter include President Rafael Cervantes, President-Elect Colleen Carpenter, Secretary Paula C. Furey and Treasurer Teresa F. Lyons-Hegdahl.

Phi Kappa Phi was founded in 1897 when Marcus L. Urann, a student, brought to his professor the idea of creating a different kind of honor society—one that recognized excellence in all academic disciplines. Today, the Society has chapters on more than 300 select campuses in the United States and the Philippines and inducts approximately 30,000 new members each year. Membership is by invitation only to the top 7.5 percent of juniors and the top 10 percent of seniors and graduate students, along with faculty, professional staff and alumni who have achieved scholarly distinction.

Wednesday, November 21, 2018

Collette Black Friday Sale Now Through November 27



The Collette Black Friday Sale is here! Save 15% now through November 27 using offer code SOCIETYSAVE. Plus, when you mention your Phi Kappa Phi membership, you will save an additional $50-$100 per person depending on the tour you select. Call 1.888.873.3565 to make your reservation today!

Collette is a guided travel pioneer, taking travelers across the globe for the last 100 years. Their tours help you get the most out of any adventure, with itineraries designed to take you to iconic locales and show you hidden gems. From African safaris to whale watching in Iceland, Collette can help you make memories that will last a lifetime.

Phi Kappa Phi members can save up to $500 per person year-round. Click here to learn more.

Note, the Collette Black Friday sale is valid on tours departing January 1, 2019, through April 30, 2020, is not valid online, and applies to all tours except Antarctica, The Northern Lights of Finland, British Landscapes, Magical Rhine & Moselle River Cruise, Alaska Discovery, Greenland & Iceland and ALL Oberammergau Passion Play tours.

Questions? Contact Jamie Chapman at jchapman@phikappaphi.org or 1.800.804.9880, ext. 217.

Last Chance to Apply for a Graduate Research Grant

The deadline to apply for a Phi Kappa Phi Graduate Research Grant is Friday, November 30. The Society is currently assessing the need to provide funding to members for graduate research travel. As part of this assessment, the Society is offering graduate research grants of up to $1,500 to eligible members who are enrolled in a graduate program. These grants provide funding for travel in support of career development opportunities, such as conducting or presenting research.

“In the spirit of innovation, Phi Kappa Phi is pleased to announce the pilot of a new award, the Graduate Research Grant,” said Dr. Mary Todd, Society executive director. “Because graduate research often involves travel, whether for gathering or presenting research, we hope a limited pilot offering will identify member interest in a travel grant program.”

To be eligible to apply, applicants must be an active member of Phi Kappa Phi or have accepted membership by November 30, 2018, and currently be enrolled in a graduate program. In addition, the travel to conduct or present research must take place between January 1, 2019, and August 31, 2019. Current Phi Kappa Phi Fellows or previous Dissertation Fellows are not eligible to apply.

To apply for a graduate research grant, please complete the request form by Friday, November 30. The number of grants to be awarded is contingent upon the availability of funds and the number of applications received.

To learn more about the Graduate Research Grant, click here.

Questions? Contact Kelli Partin, awards manager, at kpartin@phikappaphi.org.

Tuesday, November 20, 2018

Spread the Word About Giving Tuesday

Giving Tuesday is one week away! Help Phi Kappa Phi spread the word by encouraging fellow members and your family and friends to join the Giving Tuesday movement on November 27. Gifts made to the Phi Kappa Phi Foundation on this special day will support the Society’s award programs, which help provide opportunity to deserving students and members each year.

There are a number of ways you can help us spread the word about this important day of giving. Need a few ideas? Check out these suggestions:

Update Your Facebook Profile Photo
New this year! Show everyone you're supporting Phi Kappa Phi on Giving Tuesday with a custom frame for your Facebook profile. Simply hover over your profile picture and select "Update," then "Add Frame" and search for "Phi Kappa Phi Giving Tuesday" to find and use the frame. Need help?

Take the #UNSelfie Challenge
Download the UNSelfie sign and tell us why you are choosing to support Phi Kappa Phi on Giving Tuesday. Take a photo with your sign and post it on social media. Be sure to tag @PhiKappaPhi so we can share your post!

Get Social
Help us make the biggest impact possible by spreading the word on social media! Follow, share, and retweet Phi Kappa Phi’s #GivingTuesday updates on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Starting Friday, November 23, we’ll be posting countdown graphics leading up to the big day. Be on the lookout for these and many other posts to share.