The Clemson University chapter of Phi Kappa Phi, the oldest and most selective honor society for academic disciplines in the country, invites all Clemson faculty and staff who are members and not already affiliated with Clemson chapter 49 to contact them so they can update their membership list.
Phi Kappa Phi derived its name from the letters of the Greek words forming its motto, Philosophía Krateítõ Phõtôn, “Let the love of learning rule humanity.” It initiates approximately 25,000 members a year on more than 325 campuses in the United States, its territories and the Philippines.
Admission is invitation-only and requires nomination approval by a chapter. Only the top 10 percent of seniors and graduate students and 7.5 percent of juniors are invited to apply. Faculty, professional staff and alumni who have achieved scholarly distinction also qualify. The society’s mission is “To recognize and promote academic excellence in all fields of higher education and engage the community of scholars in service to others.”
Chapter 49 was chartered in 1938 and has garnered multiple awards including the 2020-2021 Circle of Excellence Silver Award, the 2019-2020 Circle of Excellence Platinum Award and the 2017-2018 Circle of Excellence Gold Award.
“Our Clemson University Chapter 49 of Phi Kappa Phi has a proud history of service both to the national organization with one of our chapter past presidents, Diane Smathers, serving on the board and as president of our National Honor Society, and through chapter-led community service events,” said former Chapter 49 President and Alumni Distinguished Professor in the Department of Psychology June Pilcher. “Our student members have served on the national board, have attended the Phi Kappa Phi leadership training program for students, and have been awarded over $80,000 toward graduate school through awards provided by Phi Kappa Phi. Please contact us to become part of our active community.”
If you are a faculty or staff member who was initiated into a different chapter and is not already affiliated with Clemson chapter 49, contact June Pilcher at jpilche@clemson.edu.