The Society hosted its Fall Service Project last fall for its fifth consecutive year. Originally beginning in 2019 and 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. 

The Society is proud to announce the winners of the 2023 Fall Service Project. They are: 

• Division I – Mississippi State University 
• Division II – University of North Carolina at Charlotte 
• Division III – Austin Peay State University 
• Division IV – Frostburg State University 
• Division V – (tie) National Intelligence University and North Carolina A&T State University  

Division I winner Mississippi State University (Chapter 60) partnered with Starkville Habitat for Humanity to help complete a home that was already in progress. The volunteers installed siding on the exterior as well as trim, in addition to assisting with the painting of the exterior. There is a core group of retiree volunteers who gladly work with the university students. This was the 75th home that Starkville Habitat has constructed. The homeowner is a local home health care provider with two children. 

Division II winner University of North Carolina at Charlotte (Chapter 228) joined UNC Charlotte students, faculty and staff who visited the University’s elementary school for the annual Love of Reading event. Volunteers read to students and donated a book selected by teachers to classroom libraries. All elementary students also received a bookmark with a QR code to access a virtual library. Engineering student and PKP student vice president, Timi Adeosun, said he was thrilled to participate: “As an honor society, our overarching goal is to enhance academic excellence and literacy at all levels including young learners. The event provided an ideal platform for us to contribute actively to fostering a love for learning in the Charlotte community.”  

Division III winner Austin Peay State University (Chapter 191) hosted the event, “Candy for the Mind” as part of the annual APSU Student Government Association sponsored event, G.H.O.S.T. (Greater Halloween Options for Safe Trick-orTreating). The event was open to students, faculty, staff, and employees as well as the Clarksville community. The chapter collected, cleaned, purchased, organized, and distributed books to participants, and worked to ensure a diverse offering of titles. Rainy weather did not deter hundreds of children from stopping by to get a book during the event. Five chapter officers and four members worked at the tables for the duration of the event. 

Division IV winner Frostburg State University (Chapter 348) partnered with Friends of the South Cumberland Library to host a STEM night for K-12 students at a local library branch in a low-income area of the city. The chapter president, treasurer, secretary, and student vice president, along with two other chapter members, provided hands-on activities in chemistry, computer science, and physical science. Snacks were also provided, as well as some take-home activity sheets. A total of 12 children and their parents participated. 

Division V winner National Intelligence University (Chapter 355) conducted an extended Toys for Tots campaign for the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) at three separate locations with six collection boxes over one month. Toy collection boxes were located at the Intelligence Community facility in Bethesda (MD), at the ODNI headquarters facility at Liberty Crossing (VA), and the Reston (VA) facility. The chapter advertised the campaign on ODNI websites, through electronic billboards, and with signage. The collection effort also coordinated with two major employee holiday parties.  

Division V winner North Carolina A&T State University (Chapter 291) partnered with North Carolinians Against Gun Violence (NCGV) to create awareness in the Greensboro Community. The chapter took part in a fall festival to hand out informational flyers and over 50 free gun locks, and also signed up volunteers for NCGV. Additionally, the chapter started a video series that discusses gun reform with the main objective to educate the community about the issue of gun violence. 

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.