Elon alumni, faculty and staff, graduate and undergraduate students joined the nation's oldest and largest multidisciplinary honor society
The Elon University Chapter of Phi Kappa Phi welcomed 88 new members to its roster, consisting of 48 juniors, 13 seniors, 20 graduate students, four alumni and three members of faculty and staff.
The new members were inducted in a ceremony on Wednesday, April 26, in McKinnon Hall. Opening remarks were offered by Professor of English Kathy Lyday and the keynote address was given by Elon retiree Jim Donathan, who for nearly three decades on campus served as director of academic support, was associate director of academic advising, and who also was inducted into Phi Kappa Phi during the ceremony.
“The 2023 Elon University Phi Kappa Phi Induction of Members once again illustrated the uniqueness of this national honor society,” said Chapter President Nancy Harris, associate dean of Elon College, the College of Arts and Sciences and professor of biology. “Phi Kappa Phi describes this inclusive society as a special community of scholars and professionals, a ‘unique blend of students, academicians and corporate and civic leaders from all fields of endeavors’ having a common focus on achievement and good character and an ongoing love of learning that guides the path.
“This year, inducted alumni included a DJ, Class of 1972, a bishop, Class of 1979, and a successful businesswoman, Class of 2015. Inducted faculty and staff represented the Schools of Education and Health Sciences, and Offices of Facilities Management and Student Support Services. Inducted graduate students are working towards a Masters in Higher Education, a Masters in Business Analytics and a Doctorate in Physical Therapy. Our undergraduates will be awarded degrees from majors within the School of Business, School of Communications, School of Education and the College of Arts and Sciences. How wonderful it was for such a diverse group of people of great accomplishments to come into an honor society that recognizes excellence in many ways and places.”
Founded in 1897 at the University of Maine, Phi Kappa Phi is the nation’s oldest and largest multidisciplinary 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 upper 7.5% of the junior class and upper 10% of the senior and graduate classes.
Since its founding, more than 1 million members have been initiated in the United States, Puerto Rico and the Philippines. Elon’s chapter of Phi Kappa Phi was installed on Nov. 14, 1995, as Chapter 275. The first class of inductees included 79 students and three faculty members.
The chapter’s 2023 inductees included:
Alumni:
-
Bishop Carl Lykes Sr. ’79 signs the roll book during the Phi Kappa Phi induction ceremony April 26. Alivia Mattioli-Hodge ’15, senior manager of partnerships at Penske Entertainment
- Bishop Carl Lykes Sr. ’79, of Christ Cathedral of Deliverance in Statesville, N.C.
- Alex Vardavas ’72, DJ at WBTM in Danville, Va.
Faculty/Staff
- Shefali Christopher, assistant professor of physical therapy education
- Jim Donathan, retired associate director of academic advising and director of academic support
- Erin Hone, senior lecturer in education
- Susan Tripp, horticulturist
Graduate students
-
Alex Vardavas ’72 is inducted into Phi Kappa Phi Jordan Ballantyne
- Samantha Bauman
- Emily Boger
- Michaela Brown
- Cassondra Chaput
- Morgan Darrow
- Deanna Demarco
- Abigail Fusca
- Matthew Hansen
- Paige Johnson
- Allison Knuckles
-
A new member of Elon’s Phi Kappa Phi chapter is inducted. Abby Lachance
- Sara Milgrom
- Jane Ragland
- Sadie Richey
- Odaly Rivas
- Amy Smith
- Chelsea Wallace
- Evan Williams
- Natalie Wood
Undergraduates
-
Senior Lecturer in Education Erin Hone is inducted into Phi Kappa Phi. Grace Ackermann
- Emma Bach
- Matt Barrett
- Else Bauldoff
- Katherine Berthiaume
- Eli Bier
- Katy Boehmer-Abbott
- Josie Brothers
- Collin Butler
- Alanis Camacho-Narvaez
- Alex Chadwick
- Lily Cooper
-
Campus horticulturalist Susan Tripp is inducted into Phi Kappa Phi. Bennett Curtis
- Rachael Davis
- William Eberhardt IV
- Sarah Edwards
- Chapin Epps
- John Luke Farah
- Caroline Fernandez
- Sydney Foresta
- Briana Fulciniti
- Rachel Gardner
- Jessann Gentile
- Camryn Glendon
- Megan Grant
- Chase Gurey
-
Kiara Hunter ’23 
A new member of Phi Kappa Phi is inducted in McKinnon Hall. Amanda Heffernan
- Ella Henry
- Madeleine Hollenbeck
- Kiara Hunter
- Emma Keating
- Kaleigh Kreimeyer
- Abby Langenkamp
- Olivia Lanter
- Julia Lapporte
- Jeremy Lazoff
- Leandra Lorenz
- Olivia Lovell
- Catie Mannato
- Bethany Marzella
- Elle McClung
- Mary Kate McDonald
- Nicole McGinty
- Cade Missimer
- Dailey Moore
- Ellie Pierson
- Cailey Rogers
- Ellie Schmidt
- Leah Schultz
- Ally Shibata
- Jacob Stanley
- Rachel Tammaro
- Hannah Teich
- Douglas Ulrich
- Isabella Venziale
- Sofia Vietri
- Tyler Vining
- Callum Walker
- Stephanie Williams
- Sadie Wiswall
- Emma Zimmerman