“I strive to create and assist in events that are fun for everyone and help bring members of the community together. I am in awe that this is being recognized on a national level, and I am thankful for the opportunity to bring people joy with these activities,” said Kyle Harper, a senior at the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg who was recently selected to receive a scholarship from the Phi Eta Sigma National Honor Society. Nominations must meet the organization’s criteria for academics, service, and leadership.
“I encouraged Kyle to apply for this scholarship, because I knew he exceeded the standards of academic excellence, service, and leadership set forth by Phi Eta Sigma,” said R. Leigh Hoffman, assistant dean of Student Services and advisor to the Pitt-Greensburg chapter. “He also has exceptional creative ability and is a great role model for other students.”
Harper, a dual major in communication and creative and professional writing, is one of 96 honor society members selected from 1,200 applications to receive a scholarship from the organization. He becomes the 12th Pitt-Greensburg student to receive a Phi Eta Sigma scholarship since 2004.
“I am honored to receive this award from Phi Eta Sigma,” said Harper. The son of Becky Harper and Jerry Harper II of Jacobs Creek, PA, Harper is active in a variety of activities at Pitt-Greensburg. As vice president of Pitt-Greensburg’s chapter of Phi Eta Sigma, he plans and participates in the organization’s events, such as the annual Oktoberfest and Veteran’s Day Luncheon. Harper serves as the founder and president of the Pitt Fight Club, an event sponsored by the chapter that brings professional wrestlers to campus to compete, with the proceeds from the event going to charity.
Harper also is president of the Academic Village Senate, vice president of Nerdfighters, the House Representative of the College Action Sports & Hiking group, and is a Community Assistant at Westmoreland Hall.
Phi Eta Sigma is the nation’s oldest and largest honor society for first-year college and university students in all disciplines. Students are selected for membership at the end of any full-time curricular period by achieving a cumulative grade-point average of at least 3.5 on a 4.0 scale while taking a normal academic load acceptable toward a bachelor’s degree. The goal of the organization is to encourage and reward academic excellence among first-year students studying at institutions of higher learning. There are more than 375 chapters throughout the United States and more than 1,000,000 inducted members.