The Society is proud to announce the winners of the 2022 Fall Service Project. They are:

Division I – Virginia Commonwealth

Division II – University of Louisiana at Monroe

Division III – Southeast Missouri State University

Division IV – (tie) Elmhurst University and Fontbonne University

Division V – Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico

The Fall Service Project initiative began in 2019 and is supported by the Council of Students. Chapters were encouraged to focus on a community need and establish a partnership with a community organization. The council also recommended inviting student organizations or campus departments to participate in the service project. The project was required to take place for any length of time between September and December.

Division I winner Virginia Commonwealth University (Chapter 193) offered a seminar entitled “Children of Incarcerated Parents” and hosted a discussion lead by local non-profit, Assisting Families of Inmates. The goal was to educate students about mass incarceration and the often less discussed impact on children and families. In addition, the chapter partnered with students from the VCU Honors College and from the Sociology Department to create motivational cards for 80 elementary students in Richmond Public Schools who participate in a trauma-informed programs.

Division II winner University of Louisiana at Monroe (Chapter 113) hosted a book drive to benefit the Emily Williamson Laboratory School (EWLS), which had recently suffered an electrical fire that destroyed most of the school. The campus community used the book drive to help EWLS rebuild, and the school continues to receive additional donations from the book drive. It has asked the chapter to participate in the re-opening celebration, during which all of the donations will be presented.

Division III winner Southeast Missouri State University (Chapter 260) participated in two literacy projects: the "Read to Succeed” program through the United Way of Southeast Missouri, and the chapter’s signature literacy project, “Born to Read.” Since its inception in the year 2000, the “Born to Read” project has given away over 20,000 books. In the United Way program, volunteers from the chapter were paired with students with reading difficulties at four different elementary schools in the area.

Division IV winner Elmhurst University (Chapter 195) celebrated the 150th anniversary of the founding of the university by partnering with campus groups such as the Black Student Union to collect 150 journals and to initiate a campus-wide creative writing and art campaign. Students gathered in the campus library to write letters, poetry, and created art intended to motivate and encourage students at Herzl Elementary School, a low-income community school in Chicago. The creative work was inserted into each journal, gift wrapped, and delivered to the children at the school.

Division IV winner Fontbonne University (Chapter 298) put bins around campus and asked for new and gently used children's books with a goal of collecting at least 100 books to celebrate the university's centennial anniversary. After collecting more than 500 books, the books were distributed by chapter officers to five different local schools, each receiving more than 100 books. In keeping with the original mission of the founders of the university, these five schools serve children with hearing loss.

Division V winner Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico (Chapter 336) partnered with numerous campus and community organizations including the PCUPR School of Medical Technology and the Puerto Rico Department of Health to offer free health services and educational guidance about the importance of physical and mental health. Over 200 participants were offered the opportunity to check their blood pressure, and test their hemoglobin, glucose, and cholesterol levels. They also heard presentations on stress and emotional management, and how to better understand nutritional labels.

Phi Kappa Phi would like to thank all of the chapters who participated in the Fall Service Project and offer congratulations to the six winners. It is in these small moments where our members truly embody a “community of scholars in service to others.”

To see a collection of photos from all of the projects, visit our Flickr album.