Phi Kappa Phi holds initiation ceremony

Founded in 1897, Phi Kappa Phi is the nation’s oldest and largest academic honor society whose mission is “To recognize and promote academic excellence in all fields of higher education and to engage the community of scholars in service to others.”

Each year, chapters may invite the top 7.5 percent of juniors and the top 10 percent of seniors, based on academic achievement, into the society. Since the founding of Phi Kappa Phi, more than one million members have been initiated in the United States, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines.

Elon University’s chapter of Phi Kappa Phi was installed in 1995. The first class of inductees included 79 students and 3 faculty members. Elon’s chapter has distinguished itself through participation in national conferences, sponsoring winners of graduate fellowships, and hosting a sub-regional conference.

Opening remarks at this year’s ceremony were delivered by Paul J. Ferlazzo, Phi Kappa Phi’s national president and professor of English at Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Ariz. He congratulated the honor society’s newest members on their accomplishments.

“I came here because I believe in you, your superior scholarship and your good character,” Ferlazzo said. To take on the world’s biggest problems, Ferlazzo said, “we’re going to need your help.”

Elon President Leo M. Lambert presented the Phi Kappa Phi Distinguished Member Award to John Sullivan, Maude Sharpe Powell Professor of Philosophy. Sullivan, who will retire in May after 36 years at Elon, has been actively involved in Phi Kappa Phi at Elon since the chapter was chartered in 1995.

“I am surprised, and I am touched, and I am very, very grateful,” said Sullivan.

Pam Kiser, professor of human services, delivered the keynote address, urging the initiates to volunteer their time and talents in service to others. She reminded the students that many others have not had the opportunities they enjoy.

“Many of us have worked hard and achieved much,” Kiser said. “But all of us stand on the shoulders of others. Success springs, in part, from the advantages and privileges we were born into.”

Senior Becky Dickson was recognized as a recipient of a $5,000 Phi Kappa Phi Graduate Fellowship Award. Dickson will use the grant during her first year of graduate studies in social work at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Dickson and David Runkle, who also applied for a fellowship award, were each presented with a small honorarium from the Elon chapter in recognition of their efforts.

Chapter President Nancy Harris, associate dean of Elon College, presented student vice presidents Lindsay Miller and Nicki Rhew with a certificate and Phi Kappa Phi medallion for their service in leadership roles.

Closing remarks were presented by past national president Wendell McKenzie, professor of genetics at North Carolina State University.

This year’s initiates include the following:

Graduate Initiates

Candace Nicole Donald

Amanda Renae Mann

Maureen K. Mann

Alyson Louise Paszek

Jennifer R. Sisson

Hyrum Rich Tenney

Undergraduate Initiates

Rachel Mara Abbott

Scott Adams

Emily Grey Aker

Sarah Caroline Arnn

Allison Rebecca Arpin

Thomas Christopher Barnett

Kelly Ann Baytos

Kendall Shores Bouldin

Caitlin Brilhart

*Virginia Anne Brinkley

Casey Leigh Cale

Matthew R. Christian

Margaret Pacialane Clark

Elizabeth Nicole Clift

Matthew J. Cohen

Stephanie G. Compton

Jennifer Marie Connolly

Cassie Nicole Cosentino

Sean Patrick Crilley

Jessica Elizabeth Czerwin

Ashley Elizabeth Davis

Justine Maisha Davis

Kaitlyn Nicole Day

Cara DiSisto

Sarah Marie Dollard

Samantha Lynn Drongoski

*Amy Leigh Duncan

Alana Michele Dunn

*Jenna Lyn Elkington

*Annie Elyse Elliott

Eden Alexandra Esters

Erryn Meredith Gallasch

Meredith Paula Gay

*Heather Marie Geiger

Kali Jane Geskus

*Laura E. Gordon

Paige Nicholle Goss

Patrick James Guthrie

Jessica Lee Harmon

Annemarie Kari Heim

Laura Megan Hersh

Rachel Rebecca Hewitt

*Katherine Ann Hight

*Kathryn M. Houk

Ian Alexander Hull

Michelle Nicole Kidder

Katherine Kay Lahti

Amy Elizabeth Lawrence

Anna Taylor Leer

*Cara Hutchison Leidy

Hanita Lessen

Lauren A. Lorincz

Geoffrey Martin Lynn

Janell Leigh Martin

Kelly Robinson McDonald

Katherine Aliese Michaud

Kiley Ann Moorefield

Alyssa Lakin Morley

Kendra Hillary Nickel

Kathryn Marie Olsen

Jenna Onusko

Heather Bryn Porter

Gabrielle Lauren Raymond

Sara L. Rhymer

Amie Leigh Ritchie

Amber Marie Rockwell

Jennifer Lee Romano

Nicole M. Schaefer

Carmen Rebecca Schmitt

Nathan D. Shemonski

*Valencia Dayne Smith

*Andrea Marie Spaeth

Jason Alexander Spinos

Sarah Elizabeth Stevens

Stephen Bradley Stuart

Heather Ashley Talley

Kyle Brandon Troester

*Lindsay U. Westerfield

Sarah Jane Wobbecke

Brittany Lyn Yelverton

Brian H. Yoder

*-inducted in absentia

Phi Kappa Phi officers include the following:

President: Nancy E. Harris

Past President: Victoria Fischer Faw

President Elect: Donna Van Bodegraven

Student Vice President: Lindsay Miller

Student Vice President: Nicole Rhew

Secretary/Treasurer: Susan Chinworth

Public Relations Officer: April Post