The chapter development staff would like to express our sincere gratitude to our chapter officer volunteers who have played an integral part in the evolving response to the unfolding COVID-19 crisis. We know from many conversations over the past several weeks that you rose to the challenge of quickly converting your courses to a virtual format while still recognizing and honoring excellence on your respective campuses through your Phi Kappa Phi invitations. You are to be commended for these efforts!

We know that your priorities have changed drastically. We hope you will find a few minutes to read the highlights of a few chapter’s successes from earlier this spring, including some Phi Kappa Phi Week activities. We know that the love of learning is still important whether in person or virtually. We continue to hope for the health and safety of all our officers and members.

A-State Hosts Java Nice Day
Chapter 141 at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, Arkansas, hosted Java Nice Day to celebrate Phi Kappa Phi Week on Feb. 6.

Student Vice Presidents set up the banner in the campus union, staffed the event from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and passed out six gallons of coffee and cocoa while they talked to students about membership in Phi Kappa Phi and the awards available to students.

“It was so nice to be able to spread the word about our organization and brighten people's days with something warm to drink,” said Sara Brown, student vice president.  

Berry Celebrates Phi Kappa Phi Week with Trivia 
Chapter 285 at Berry College in Mount Berry, Georgia, hosted a Trivial Pursuit Face-off on Feb. 6 to celebrate Phi Kappa Phi Week.

The three Student Vice Presidents planned the trivia game and hosted it at a table in the student center with approximately 25 people in attendance. The event helped the chapter enhance campus visibility before sending invitations to students later that week.

In addition to hosting an event, the chapter also held a meeting to allow members to meet, make announcements and promote Phi Kappa Phi awards. Ten members attended the meeting and several students were interested in applying for awards.

ECU Pop-up Lecture on COVID-19
Chapter 114 at East Carolina University in Greenville, North Carolina, continued their pop-up series on timely discussions of current events with a lecture on the new coronavirus.

The third presentation in the series was held on March 2 and led by Chief of Infectious Diseases at ECU’s Brody School of Medicine, Dr. Paul Cook. 

Approximately 250 people attended the event, which was covered by multiple news outlets and appeared on the front page of The News & Observer in Raleigh.

Chapter leaders begin each lecture with a short presentation on Phi Kappa Phi’s history, mission and membership requirements. Presenters are asked to limit their remarks to 30 minutes to allow time for questions in order to keep the event to one hour. 




ERAU Inducts New Members During Phi Kappa Phi Week
Chapter 337 at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott, Arizona, celebrated Phi Kappa Phi Week on Feb. 6 by initiating 50 new members and presenting a faculty research award.  

Embry-Riddle initiated 25 juniors, 15 seniors, six graduate students, and four faculty members. The faculty inducted were Dr. Johann Dorfling, assistant professor of aerospace engineering; Michelle Hight, assistant professor of aeronautical science; Dr. Jules Yimga, assistant professor of business; and Dr. Hong Zhan, professor of Asian studies.

Dr. Yimga was also presented with the Phi Kappa Phi Top Faculty Scholar Award for 2020. He serves as the Chair of Scholarship and Research in the School of Business. His primary research interests are in the fields of industrial organization and financial economics. One of his current research projects examines how airlines and passengers respond to changes in airline product quality. 

"Our chapter was excited to welcome our new members and to recognize Dr. Jules Yimga for his scholarship and service at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, particularly his mentorship of our undergraduates," said Anne Boettcher, chapter president.  

TAMU Volunteers at Children’s Center
Chapter 53 at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas, celebrated Phi Kappa Phi Week by reading to children at the campus children’s center twice that week.  

The Becky Gates Children’s Center serves the children of university students, faculty and staff, which includes approximately 165 children from 12 months to 6 years old. The center works closely with different academic departments to provide teaching opportunities and experiences for TAMU students.
Chapter officers also printed award posters created by the national office and sent them to members during Phi Kappa Phi Week. The chapter received several inquiries about the awards offered.

“Let the love of learning rule humanity is a motto that we take very seriously at Texas A&M. We strive to infuse it in everything we do...especially in our community engagement activities,” said Barbara Lee, the chapter’s primary contact.
Got News?

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!

Top Photos
Left photo by Amy Pearce – Atin Suri, right, student vice president, talks to students about Phi Kappa Phi and hands out free coffee and cocoa at Arkansas State University’s Java Nice Day event.

Center photo by Kelsi Nichols – Callie Whitesell and Mikayla Camacho, seated, student vice presidents, talk to a student about Phi Kappa Phi at Berry College’s trivia event.

Right photo by Chris Hollis – Dr. Paul Cook speaks to a crowded room about his research on the Coronavirus at East Carolina University’s pop-up.

Bottom Photos
Left photo by Connor McShane – The Phi Kappa Phi chapter at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Prescott, welcomed 50 new members at their spring initiation ceremony.

Center photo by Christopher Marchetti Photography – Dr. Jules Yimga, assistant professor of business, received the 2020 Top Faculty Scholar Award from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s Phi Kappa Phi chapter on the Prescott campus.

Right photo by Lauren Staudt – Elizabeth Dicken reads to students at the Becky Gates Children’s Center during Texas A&M University’s Phi Kappa Phi Week project.