Even though it is described as the nation’s oldest and most selective collegiate honor society, The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi at California State University, Stanislaus still recognizes its need to raise further awareness about its chapter on campus.
However, the chapter’s recent award as a Chapter of Merit along with 24 other chapters is sure to do the trick.
“A lot of people don’t know about Phi Kappa Phi and we would like to have increased awareness on campus about the chapter,” said chapter president Janice Herring. “Since this is an interdisciplinary honor society, every study is potentially eligible.”
After considering students from all disciplines, the organization accepts members from the top 10 percent of seniors and graduate students and the top 7.5 percent of juniors.
With the Chapter of Merit award, CSU Stanislaus’ chapter has been officially recognized for achieving academic excellence, as well as engaging the community of scholars in service to others.
“We award scholarships to our members annually, we have a chapter website, we hold regular meetings, and we conduct an annual initiation ceremony,” said Herring. “We have quite a number of awards that members can apply for nationally and applying always leads to recognition.”
With active chapters in over 300 campuses in North America and the Philippines, the CSU Stanislaus chapter’s main purpose is to honor academic excellence across the board. The organization not only honors juniors, seniors and graduate students, it also recognizes freshmen and sophomores who maintain at least a 3.9 GPA by honoring their hard work at their initiation ceremonies.
“The Chapter Recognition program offers Phi Kappa Phi the opportunity to say a special thank you to chapters who go above and beyond in promoting academic excellence on their campuses,” said Society Executive Director Mary Todd.
According to Herring, the chapter could not do what it does without the support from administrative assistant Randi Esau.
“She’s the person to make sure we are always on time with things and getting communication where it needs to be,” said Herring. “She is a huge support to the chapter.”