The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi will install its 356th chapter at Florida Gulf Coast University in Fort Myers, Florida, today, Nov. 8, 2021. Founded in 1897 at the University of Maine, Phi Kappa Phi is the nation’s oldest and most selective all-discipline collegiate honor society recognizing academic excellence.

The installation of the Florida Gulf Coast chapter comes after a thorough petitioning process, site visit 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 Florida Gulf Coast University to its community of scholars. The academic leadership at FGCU is enthusiastic about the value a chapter will bring to their campus and is committed to its success. We look forward to initiating their first round of students this spring,” said acting Society Executive Director Traci Navarre.

Officers elected by the chartering group to serve the newly installed chapter include:

• President: Dr. Minh Nguyen (Assistant Dean of the Honors College, Professor of Philosophy, Faculty Affiliate of the Center for Critical Race and Ethnic Studies)
• President-Elect: Dr. Senthil Balaji Girimurugan (Associate Professor of Mathematics, Whitaker Associate, Honors Faculty Fellow)
• Secretary: Dr. Linda Colding (Associate Librarian, Head of Research and Instruction)
• Treasurer: Dr. Jan-Martijn Meij (Program Coordinator, Assistant Professor of Sociology)
• Awards & Grants Officer: Dr. Terumi Rafferty-Osaki (Director of the Office of Competitive Scholarships, Assistant Professor of History)
• Public Relations & Marketing Officer: Ms. Jen Jordan (Social Media and Events Coordinator of the Honors College)