A Season of Service Continues

This month’s Chapter Update continues to focus on service and includes highlights from three initiatives completed by chapters in Kentucky, New York and North Carolina who participated in the Fall Service Project. 

Please share your chapter news, events and service projects with Michelle Lowery, chapter development director, so they can be included in future chapter updates and shared on social media. Pictures with members are encouraged!

AU Visits Humane Society

Chapter 117 at Alfred University in Alfred, New York, partnered with Tau Beta Pi – The Engineering Honor Society, to visit the Hornell Area Humane Society on Oct. 26.

HAHS has been taking care of animals for over 100 years and is committed to a no-kill philosophy while reducing animal cruelty and advancing the highest standards of animal welfare through education and advocacy. The shelter has 16 dog runs with inside/outside access, a meet and greet room and training room for dogs, a free-roaming room for up to 12 cats, additional space for individually housed cats and an isolation room for sick and injured cats.

Phi Kappa Phi members provided support for the shelter by cleaning, feeding and playing with the animals. Caring for the animals also provided a mental break for the five students who visited the shelter.

“There was a noticeable change in the entire group’s mood almost immediately upon entering the facility. After spending some time with the animals, students were more calm, relaxed, and smiley,” said Natalie Turco, student vice president.

Members also learned about services provided by the staff and future renovations due to a grant awarded to HAHS by the Companion Animal Capital Fund.

MU Hosts Book Drive

Chapter 342 at Methodist University in Fayetteville, North Carolina, hosted a book drive during the month of October to promote literacy and a love of learning at the Margaret Willis Elementary School.

The chapter also partnered with MU to send students to deliver the 238 books donated and help the children at Margaret Willis learn to read. The books were stamped with the Phi Kappa Phi emblem, and children are allowed to take the books home to read at their leisure.


MSU Hosts Engineering Day for Girl Scouts

Chapter 302 at Murray State University in Murray, Kentucky, partnered with their University Libraries to participate in Engineering Day, a one-day event for Girl Scouts on Oct. 26.

The chapter’s goal was to promote the value of learning and the role organizations like Phi Kappa Phi play in academic development.

Chapter members served as volunteers for the event, staffed an information table with Phi Kappa Phi materials, and discussed the importance of research and scholarly inquiry with over 150 girls whose ages ranged from 10 to 17 years old.

Top photo by the Hornell Area Humane Society – Participants are, from left, Erin Congdon; Natalie Turco, student vice president; Carissa Dopman; Amber Smith; and Ben Sennett.

Middle photo by Keller Dixon – Books donated to the Margaret Willis Elementary School from the Phi Kappa Phi Book Drive.

Bottom photo by Melony Shemberger – Ashley Ireland, far right, standing, dean of Murray State Libraries and president-elect of the Murray State chapter of Phi Kappa Phi, talks through the virtual reality rhythm video game, “Beat Saber,” with a player.