The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi currently awards fifty Fellowships of $8,500 each, six at $20,000 each, and two at $35,000 each to members entering the first year of graduate or professional study. Each active Phi Kappa Phi chapter may select one candidate from among its local applicants to compete for the Society-wide awards.
Phi Kappa Phi is proud to present the 2018 Phi Kappa Phi Fellowship recipients:
John Duff graduated with honors from the University of Massachusetts earning a B.A. and majoring in linguistics, classical languages, and linguistics and psychology. His coursework included study of ancient Greek, modern Arabic literature, cognitive psychology, and the medieval language Caucasian Albanian. John’s awards include being recognized as a UMass Amherst Rising Researcher and a William F. Field Alumni Scholar, as well as being awarded a UMass Amherst Honors Research Grant. On campus, he worked with the UMass Theatre Guild on several projects including directing production of A.R. Gurney’s The Wayside Motor Inn. He also was a member of the campus radio station and worked as a mentor and tutor for other students. He has worked at the Harvard University Center for Hellenic Studies in Washington, D.C., as a publications intern and at the Stanford University Center for the Study of Language and Information assisting with a research project. John plans to pursue a Ph.D. in linguistics at University of California, Santa Cruz.2
Joy Schaeffer earned her B.S. with a double major in international history and French from the United States Military Academy (West Point), where she was first in her class. The recipient of the Superintendent’s Award for Excellence and a Marshall Scholarship, Joy was also a finalist for the Rhodes Scholarship. Joy challenged herself by spending a semester at the French Military Academy. Presented with the honor of competing for the highest-ranking cadet position at West Point, she chose instead to serve her peers by pursuing a lower-level leadership position with a greater personal impact. She also volunteered for two weeks in Thailand at a home for children at risk of sex slavery. Joy plans to study at King’s College, London, to pursue an M.A. in international child studies to become a more knowledgeable humanitarian worker and military intelligence officer. She aspires to combat the spread of human trafficking and create stability for a world in which such children can have a voice.8
Anne Thomas' passion for the environment led her to study biodiversity and conservation at Brigham Young University. On campus, she participated in research projects focused on the sensitivity of desert plants and animals to climate change and has presented this research at professional conferences. She was selected to contribute to benchmarking models for semiarid ecosystems, at Boston University, and has explored ecology in the South Pacific. Anne has been rewarded for her research efforts with both Udall and Goldwater scholarships, as well as a National Science Foundation Fellowship. She uses her writing to interest others in nature, and has published poems in literary magazines. Anne is also a musician, playing cello in the BYU Philharmonic Orchestra. She has been awarded a Gates Cambridge scholarship to continue her studies in the UK, in computational plant ecology. She plans a career as an ecologist to help the natural world remain intact and accessible for future generations.7
Sarah Waldvogel believes that taking time to truly listen to patients is as important as any other medicine. As an undergraduate at Clemson University, she pursued a dual degree in biochemistry and genetics with a minor in German studies, and she aspires for a career as both a physician and researcher. Towards that goal, Sarah has participated in several research projects both at Clemson University and through the St. Jude Pediatric Oncology Education Program. Additionally, she broadened her experiences with other cultures as a participant in the Dixon Global Policy Scholars Program, where she travelled to Germany to study the history of the European Union. Sarah has volunteered her time locally with Habitat for Humanity and the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and abroad in medical missions to La Merced, Peru. She looks forward to being able to continue to help patients in a different role, as a physician. She is currently pursuing an M.D./Ph.D. at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas.9
Harim I. Won graduated with honors from the University of Nebraska Omaha with a degree in biotechnology. As an undergraduate, Harim participated in research projects in a variety of fields, including bioinformatics, gene identification, entomology, and public health. He was an active participant in student government at UNO, where he served as a student representative on multiple committees, a senator, and as Chief Justice on the UNO student court. He was the recipient of a number of notable academic honors, scholarships, and awards including the Othmer Schultz Collegiate Scholarship (given to the top two Nebraska undergraduates pursuing careers in the sciences), the Richard Holland Future Scientist Award, and the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship. He also received the Hershel Smith Graduate Fellowship at Harvard University, where he will matriculate in fall 2018 to begin his Ph.D studies in biological sciences in public health. His goal is to become a principal investigator for a laboratory that focuses on treatments for infectious diseases.3
Christopher Wong has used his own struggles with illness as a motivating force that has driven his academics and shaped his career vision. While at the University of Houston, he pursued a triple major (liberal studies, biology, and French) and a dual minor (psychology, medicine and society). Chris’s pursuits helped him develop a sense of the interdisciplinary connectedness of the field of medicine, as well as the understanding that each patient is an individual with a unique narrative. He served as a student government representative, a peer facilitator with the UH Scholar Enrichment Program, and principal second violinist in the Texas Medical Center Orchestra. He volunteered at Healthcare for the Homeless and the Harris County Psychiatric Center, and participated in a medical brigade to the Houston Shoulder-to-Shoulder clinic in rural Honduras. His mentors note that they were inspired by his desire to help others without seeking acknowledgement or accolades for himself. As a recipient of the John P. McGovern Foundation Scholarship, Chris is currently pursuing an M.D. at Baylor College of Medicine.4
Name | Chapter of Initiation |
Hans Ajieren |
The University of Texas at Dallas |
Trevor Ray Auldridge |
San Diego State University |
Mario D. Balcazar | The University of Kansas |
Cynthia Carroll Becker1 |
Ithaca College |
Maisy Bowden |
Illinois Wesleyan University |
Sammy Carey | University of California, Davis |
Sonia Chandi10 |
Marshall University |
Trisha Chau |
Oregon State University |
Jonathon Cordova5 |
The University of New Mexico |
Victoria Elianna Navarette Crynes1 |
Arizona State University |
Kamakshi Dadhwal1 |
The University of Tampa |
Michael Waitus Denham |
Louisiana State University |
Sara Dibrell1 |
The University of Texas at San Antonio |
Ariel Elliott |
The University of Southern Mississippi |
Jillian Escobar |
Western Illinois University |
Madison Frame |
Hillsdale College |
Alex Gruber6 |
St. Norbert College |
Phiwat Klomkaew |
University of South Alabama |
Shira Lanyi | Virginia Commonwealth University |
Emily Leeper |
Wayne State College |
Nicole Lindner | Salisbury University |
Molly Masterson | Hood College |
Jeffrey McNeill | West Virginia Wesleyan College |
Karen Meacham | Texas Woman's University |
Taylor Merritt | Florida State University |
Uchenna Okakpu | Texas A&M University-Kingsville |
Justin Park | United States Naval Academy |
Himani Patel | McKendree University |
Kathryn Patrick | Westmont College |
Taylor Pearlstein | University of Delaware |
Naiya Phillips | University of Nevada, Reno |
Kathryn Prendergast | The University of Mississippi |
Dillon Pulliam | University of Kentucky |
Seth Reasoner1 | Berea College |
Luke Renegar1 | University of Maryland, College Park |
Matthew Salzano | Pacific Lutheran University |
Kyla Semmendinger | Mercer University |
Nishi Shah | North Carolina State University |
Casey Smith | Ball State University |
Keely Smith | Samford University |
Phoebe Catherine Stark | University of Tennessee, Knoxville |
Leyna Stemle | Florida Southern College |
Tanner S. Telford | Weber State University |
Vanja Tolj | The Ohio State University |
Carly Wahlmeier | Nebraska Wesleyan University |
Alex Wakim | Kansas State University |
Hannah Wesselman | Saint Martin's University |
Jonathan D. Williams | University of Michigan |
Sophie Wix | University of Southern California |
Rachel Wood | Murray State University |
Jeein Yoon | Cameron University |
Several of Phi Kappa Phi's Fellowships have been endowed by generous donors. Below is a list that details the Society's named fellowships and the contributors who made them possible:
1 Walter and Adelheid Hohenstein Fellows - Both Dr. Walter and Adelheid Hohenstein were initiated into Phi Kappa Phi at the University of Maryland. Dr. Hohenstein was actively involved with Phi Kappa Phi for more than three decades. In 2004, the first Hohenstein Fellow is awarded to a top ranking nominee in each of the 5 regions: Northeast, Southeast, North Central, South Central, Western and one recipient from the University of Maryland when applicable. If there is no appropriate recipient from the University of Maryland, then a Hohenstein Fellow should be selected on the basis of distinguished research or service.
2 Alfred M. Wolfe Fellow is awarded in his memory to a top ranking nominee majoring in agriculture, Classical Latin/Ancient Greek, or English.
3 Yoerger Presidential Fellow - This fellowship, established in 2001 as a result of the generosity of Past National President Roger Yoerger is awarded each year to a student in one of the basic science disciplines (i.e., engineering, agriculture) rather than law or medicine.
4 Slater Fellow - In 1985, on his 95th birthday, Dr. James R. Slater, emeritus professor of biology at the University of Puget Sound, became the first member of the Society to make a special contribution to have a fellowship bear his name. In awarding the Slater Fellow, preference is given to the top scorer whose undergraduate field is in the biological sciences.
5 The Deborah and John Yeakel Fellow - Dr. John A. Yeakel and his wife Deborah Yeakel established the fellowship in 2011 to support graduate education for student nominees from the state of New Mexico. In the event that there are no nominees from a New Mexico chapter, the award will be given to any nominee pursuing graduate education in the fields of international relations, peace studies or conflict resolution. In the event that an individual meeting either criteria is not available, the award will be given to any nominee pursuing graduate education in any field other than law.
6 Marjorie Schoch Fellow is awarded to a top ranking nominee. Mrs. Schoch earned a B.A. from Butler University and a Master of Library Science from the University of Illinois. She also enjoyed photography and travel. She was a lifelong supporter of her local chapter and Phi Kappa Phi for which The Society has established a named fellowship in her memory.
7 Ruth E. Brasher Fellow - In recognition of years of dedicated services and in appreciation for her providing a planned gift to endow a fellowship, the Phi Kappa Phi Board of Directors created a named fellowship in honor of Dr. Ruth E. Brasher. The fellowship is awarded to the nominee from Chapter #058 at Brigham Young University should that nominee be chosen as a Fellowship recipient. If there is no fellowship recipient from this chapter, preference will be given to a recipient whose record of service is exceptional and/or whose undergraduate major is domestic and family science, should there be one.
8 Kathleen Greey Fellow - The Greey Fellowship was created in 2001 to honor the memory of the late Kathleen Greey, a longtime chapter officer at Portland State University, who provided funds for this purpose in her estate plan. Preference will be given to one of the top-ranking nominee whose undergraduate field is other than the basic sciences.
9 The Alice and Russell True Foundation Fellow - Established in 2012, this distinction is awarded to a Marcus L. Urann Fellowship recipient pursuing graduate education in any science field.
10 The Agatha Huepenbecker Burnet Fellow - Established in 2015, this fellowship honors the memory of Agatha Huepenbecker Burnet, a dedicated chapter officer who served the Society in leadership roles at the national, regional and chapter levels. Burnet taught textiles and clothing at Iowa State University from 1956 until her retirement in 1993. The fellowship is awarded to a top-ranking nominee in any discipline.