There are many ways that smaller institutions work to build excitement about the invitation to Phi Kappa Phi. For example, students at Methodist University (342) look forward to receiving “the blue envelopes“ at this time of year. Chapter officers place the invitation letters for the April induction in blue envelopes and the deans from the five schools distribute them to the qualifying students at their Academic Council. Chapter president, George Hendricks says, “This is the third year in the process and the tradition keeps gaining momentum. It is always a special process.” We think that the students agree!  

North Dakota State University (010) holds an initiation which is combined with a faculty speaker lectureship to exemplify the love of learning. The Phi Kappa Phi Faculty Lecture was established in 2015 by NDSU President Dean Bresciani to recognize faculty whose outstanding, high-impact research, scholarship, or creative activity consistently supports North Dakota State University’s top tier research status.

New initiates and their guests come in at 6 p.m. for the ceremony portion of the evening, which begins formally 15 minutes later and includes a brief history of the local Phi Kappa Phi chapter given by the chapter president. The chapter awards officer then gives a brief description of the local award offerings from their chapter, and initiates are called up individually for recognition and a certificate.

The second part of the evening begins months before with a call to faculty to apply for the Faculty Lectureship Award. Finalists, which usually number three or four, make a brief presentation to a selection committee. They receive a stipend of $500 each, donated by the chapter, for being a finalist. The person selected to make the presentation receives $2,500 and a framed poster of the event.

Following the initiation part of the evening, the chapter president shares a brief national history of Phi Kappa Phi, a thank you to the university president, and the introduction of the speaker. The presentation lasts about 45 minutes and is followed by a question and answer session.

This event has been very popular and represents the best of our Society, the love of learning and the recognition of deserving students, faculty, and staff.

If you have chapter events and updates that you’d like to share with the national office, email me at kwhite@phikappaphi.org.



Photos provided by Vidura Jayasooriya

Top: Chapter officer Dr. Dennis Cooley, right, recognizes new member Sanzida Rahman at NDSU’s initiation ceremony.

Bottom: Dr. Clay Routledge was the featured lecturer at NDSU’s Phi Kappa Phi Faculty Lecture held in conjunction with the chapter’s initiation.