Contact: Harriet Laird
STARKVILLE, Miss.--Mississippi State's chapter of the honor society Phi Kappa Phi is one of only five in the country to receive the national Chapter of Excellence award, recognizing the organization's outstanding abilities in promoting academics and service.
At the national organization's biennial convention held recently in Kansas City, Mo., the MSU chapter also was the only one to receive the honor for two consecutive years. Membership in the local chapter of more than 200 members is by invitation only to the top 7.5 percent of juniors and top 10 percent of seniors and graduate students. Founded in 1897, Phi Kappa Phi is the nation's oldest, largest and most selective all-discipline honor society.
Missy Hopper, MSU chapter president, said, "We received Chapter of Excellence status through a strong group effort between involved chapter officers, faculty, and students. To be recognized by the national organization for being 'best of the best' in such a prestigious organization is an unprecedented honor for our chapter."
The Chapter of Excellence distinction recognizes Mississippi State's chapter as a thriving organization that meets frequently, holds annual initiations, and applies repeatedly for Phi Kappa Phi's select scholarships, grants and fellowships.
"Not only did we meet these criteria, but we also regularly attended training sessions and conventions and maintained a good public relations stance," said Hopper, an assistant professor in the Department of Curriculum, Instruction, and Special Education.
Perry A. Snyder, the national society's executive director, said, "Those chapters that have earned this status are led by committed officers who give generously of their time and talent to honor outstanding students. Officers of award-winning chapters live out their personal commitment to honor and excellence through Phi Kappa Phi."
Serving as officers along with Hopper are forestry professor Don Grebner, vice president; accountancy associate professor Noel Addy, treasurer; forestry professor Steve Grado, secretary; Brad Reaves, first student vice president; Matilda Asuzu, second student vice president; Kaitlin Lewis, student public relations; and computer science and engineering interim head Donna Reese, past president.
Phi Kappa Phi annually inducts approximately 30,000 students, faculty, professional staff and alumni. The society has chapters at more than 300 select colleges and universities in North America and the Philippines.
For more information, contact Dr. Hopper at 662-325-7118 or pfh7@msstate.edu, and for more details about Phi Kappa Phi call 1-800-804-9880 or visit www.PhiKappaPhi.org.