Sacramento State’s oldest and most prestigious honors society has been acknowledged as one of the nation’s best for the fourth year in a row.
The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi recognized its Sacramento State chapter as a Chapter of Excellence, one of just 29 chapters awarded in 2015 of the society’s more than 300 across North America and the Philippines.
Sacramento State is getting used to the acclaim: It is the second consecutive year the chapter has earned the Chapter of Excellence distinction following consecutive years in which it was deemed a Chapter of Merit.
“It really speaks to the students’ dedication to their studies and the fact that we have so many outstanding students here,” said Sacramento State PKP chapter president Elizabeth Strasser. “It is also due to the dedication of the faculty, because it is a faculty-led organization, and the fact that we have so many faculty who are willing to participate is really helpful. It feels wonderful.”
Phi Kappa Phi awards the Chapter of Excellence designation to its most robust chapters that hold meetings consistently, feature annual initiations and apply often for the society’s select awards and grants.
Phi Kappa Phi was founded in 1897 at the University of Maine and is the oldest and most selective honors society across all academic fields in the country. Sacramento State became the organization’s 84th chapter when it was chartered during the 1963-64 academic year and remains the University’s most historic, venerable and exclusive honors society.
Nationally the Society inducts more than 32,000 students, faculty, staff and alumni each year. Membership is by invitation only to the top 10 percent of seniors and graduate students, and top 7.5 percent of second-term juniors. Initiates must meet GPA and completed-units requirements.
Sacramento State’s chapter continually goes above and beyond to promote academic excellence on campus and is one of the Society’s most diverse chapters, as PKP national development director Karen Powell noted at the chapter’s initiation ceremony in November.
The University has a long, outstanding history of academic excellence, as Sacramento State Provost and PKP member Frederika “Fraka” Harmsen knows firsthand.
“Phi Kappa Phi is much more than an emblem and a line on a resume," Harmsen said. "Membership for our students represents a transformational moment and reflects a growing tradition of scholarly engagement and achievement.”
Upon receiving the distinction, the Sacramento State chapter received a commendation letter, special recognition on the society’s website, a specially designed logo for use in chapter communications, recognition in local media and educational journals, and a $500 award.
For more information about the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, visit www.csus.edu/pkp or email phikappaphi@csus.edu. For media assistance, call Sac State’s Office of Public Affairs at (916) 278-6156. – John Blomster