Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society Recognized as Chapter of Merit
The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi—the nation’s oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines—recently recognized the Duquesne chapter as one of only 50 Chapters of Merit worldwide. The award is presented to chapters that excel in recognizing and promoting academic excellence in all fields of higher education and engaging the community of scholars in service to others.
“Phi Kappa Phi is proud of all its chapters, but we are pleased to offer special recognition to those who have achieved the status of Chapter of Merit and Chapter of Excellence,” said Society Executive Director Dr. Mary Todd. “The efforts of chapter officers to promote academic excellence on their campuses demonstrate their strong commitment to the mission of Phi Kappa Phi and to their students.”
Chapters achieving the Chapter of Merit distinction receive, among other recognitions:
- a commendation letter from the society
- recognition advertisements in local media and educational journals
- $100 award.
Duquesne’s chapter, chartered in 1975, received the Chapter of Merit honor last year as well—despite the possibility of its dissolving due to inactivity at one point during its history, said Dr. Laverna Saunders, University librarian and immediate past president. “Receiving the Chapter of Merit honor in 2012 was meaningful because we had worked hard for six years to meet expectations,” Saunders explained. “Now we are trying to sustain our efforts, so this recognition acknowledges our success with this goal.”
By receiving the Chapter of Merit distinction, the chapter is recognized as a thriving organization that meets regularly, holds annual initiations and applies frequently for Phi Kappa Phi’s select awards, grants and fellowships. One of the chapter’s student scholarship nominees received a $5,000 scholarship; the Duquesne chapter also hosted a regional meeting of chapter leaders in May. With 206 members, including academic leaders and faculty, the chapter inducted 68 students and five faculty/staff members this year.
Officers for the recognized 2012-2013 year were president, Dr. Laverna Saunders, University librarian; president-elect, Dr. Laura Crothers, School of Education; vice president, Dr. Patricia Crist, Rangos School of Health Sciences; secretary, Rob Behary, systems librarian; treasurer, Dr. Roberta C. Aronson, executive director, international programs; public relations, Dr. Ruth Newberry, director, online campus; scholarships and awards officer, Leslie Lewis, reference and instruction librarian.
The Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society has chapters on more than 300 select campuses in North America and the Philippines. Membership is by invitation only to the top 10 percent of seniors and graduate students and 7.5 percent of juniors.