Indiana University of Pennsylvania's Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Society chapter has been recognized for the fifth consecutive year as a Chapter of Excellence by the national Phi Kappa Phi organization.
The university's chapter is one of only 28 in the nation and one of three in the northeast region receiving this honor for recognizing and promoting academic excellence in all fields of higher education and engaging the community of scholars in service.
Phi Kappa Phi is the nation's oldest honor society for all academic disciplines and has 328 chapters throughout the nation. To be invited for membership, students must be in the top 7.5 percent of their class if they are juniors or the top 10 percent if they are seniors or graduate students. Faculty and professional staff members and alumni who have achieved scholarly distinction also qualify.
The chapter at IUP was founded in 1993. Since that time, several IUP students have received competitive Phi Kappa Phi scholarships, including a 2012 Phi Kappa Phi Walter and Adelheid Hohenstein Fellow Award, national fellowships for graduate study, study abroad scholarships and Love of Learning awards.
By receiving the Chapter of Excellence distinction, the IUP chapter is recognized for meeting frequently, holding annual initiations, and applying frequently for Phi Kappa Phi's select scholarships, grants and fellowships.
“It's very gratifying to see this tradition of excellence continue to be recognized on a national basis,” Jonathan Smith, IUP professor and Phi Kappa Phi chapter president, said. “As president, I want to offer my continued appreciation to the leadership teams before me for the strong foundations they have built for the IUP chapter and to my board and my student vice presidents for their hard work and support throughout the year.”
Founded in 1897 and headquartered in Baton Rouge, La., Phi Kappa Phi inducts about 30,000 people annually.