HISTORY

· Phi Kappa Phi was founded in 1897 at the University of Maine. The Greek letters represent the Greek words Philosophia Krateito Photon, Let the love of learning rule humanity.

· There are Phi Kappa Phi chapters in 49 states plus the District of Columbia, the Philippines and Puerto Rico.

· The Western Illinois University Chapter of Phi Kappa Phi was chartered in 1972 by 25 faculty members dedicated to academic excellence.

Charter Members Western Illinois University Chapter June 3, 1972

M. Wayne Alexander Irving Berg John T. Bernhard James R. Connor Bob J. Davis Robert E. Elkin F. F. Gardner Roland Grass Jane L. Hopkins Virgil Howe Richard H. Jesse Clyde F. Mead David P. Morse

Mary Rengo Murnik James F. Niss Larrance M. O'Flaherty Robert G. Palmer Maurice G. Porter Fred J. Pumper Desmond A. Robbie Gregory R. Schreiner Beth Mackey Stiffler Penelope Storm George D. Townsend Lewis Wall

PURPOSE

· The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi Recognizes and encourages superior scholarship in all academic disciplines.

· Honors persons of good character who excel in scholarship.

· Serves the interests of the students by promoting an atmosphere conducive to academic excellence.

ELIGIBILITY

· Admission to the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi is by invitation only and requires nomination and approval in accordance with the bylaws of both the chapter and the national society. Invitation is to the top 7.5 percent of juniors, top 10 percent of seniors and the top 10 percent of graduate students. For seniors and graduate students, there may be only one invitation to join the Honors Society of Phi Kappa Phi at WIU.

MEMBERSHIP

· Phi Kappa Phi is an honor society, not an honorary society or fraternity. Membership is earned and is a true honor.

· A selected number of Western Illinois University faculty are invited to join each year.

· Members of Phi Kappa Phi often are preferred candidates for grants, scholarships and fellowships. Membership is widely accepted by potential employers as an indicator of academic ability and motivation.

ADVANTAGES

· Members are eligible for the Phi Kappa Phi National Graduate Fellowship Award. To support first-year graduate work, the Society annually offers 60 Fellowships for $5,000 each and 40 Awards of Excellence for $2,000.

· The Chapter nominee for a Graduate Fellowship receives a one-year paid membership to the Society.

· Graduating students who are nominated by their local chapters are eligible to compete for these national awards.

· The WIU Chapter of Phi Kappa Phi annually awards three memorial scholarships for $500 each to outstanding juniors.

· To encourage and support student research, the WIU Chapter annually present to seniors four undergraduate research paper awards, ranging from $250 to $100.

WIU CHAPTER EVENTS

· The WIU Chapter of Phi Kappa Phi sponsors annual events such as receptions and lectures.

· The highlight of the year is the annual Spring Initiation Banquet. New members are inducted into the society. New faculty initiates and students receiving awards are honored at this time. Family members of initiates are invited to join in this celebration of scholarship.

Copyright WIU 2001 - 2004