The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi—the nation’s oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines—recently recognized the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg chapter of Phi Kappa Phi as a Circle of Excellence Gold Chapter, the second-highest commendation a chapter can receive from the organization. The award is given to chapters that exceed expectations in chapter operations and who demonstrate sustainability and vitality as a chapter of Phi Kappa Phi.
The Circle of Excellence program was introduced in 2018. The program recognized 108 chapters this year, including 37 with the Gold distinction. Phi Kappa Phi currently has chapters on more than 300 select campuses in the United States and the Philippines.
“The Circle of Honor program recognizes Phi Kappa Phi chapters that have gone above and beyond to promote academic excellence on their campuses,” said Society Executive Director Dr. Mary Todd.
The Circle of Excellence Gold honor is given to chapters who scored a 95-99 out of 100 on a criteria scale that evaluates chapter health indicators. By receiving the Gold distinction, the Pitt-Greensburg chapter is recognized as a thriving organization that holds annual initiations, upholds the Society Bylaws, regularly attends chapter training opportunities and submits a chapter-endorsed nominee to the Phi Kappa Phi Fellowship Program.
"We are honored and excited about this recognition for our chapter of the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi. It reflects upon our active and engaged chapter leadership and our commitment to continuing excellence from our students, staff, and faculty members," said chapter president Amber McAlister, PhD, assistant professor of history of art & architecture.
Chapters achieving the Circle of Excellence Gold distinction receive:
- a commendation letter from the Society sent to chapter officers and campus administration;
- special recognition on the Phi Kappa Phi website;
- specially-designed logo for use in chapter communications;
- choice of a $200 cash award or applicable event registration grant.
To learn more about the Circle of Excellence program, please visit www.phikappaphi.org/2020Excellence.
About Phi Kappa Phi
Founded in 1897 at the University of Maine, Phi Kappa Phi is the nation's oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines. Membership is by invitation only to the top 10 percent of seniors and graduate students and 7.5 percent of juniors. Faculty, professional staff, and alumni who have achieved scholarly distinction also qualify. Since its founding, more than 1.5 million members have been initiated. Some of the organization's more notable members include former President Jimmy Carter, NASA astronaut Wendy Lawrence, novelist John Grisham, and YouTube co-founder Chad Hurley. Each year, Phi Kappa Phi awards nearly $1 million to qualifying students and members through graduate and dissertation fellowships, undergraduate study abroad grants, and grants for local and national literacy initiatives. For more information, visit www.PhiKappaPhi.org.