Phi Kappa Phi: Record Growth for CSUDH Chapter of
National Honors Society

...organizations like Phi Kappa Phi help promote a sense of scholastic competitiveness that is very beneficial to a university and to students. - Gracie Johnson, senior (Political Science/Psychology)

Since its inception in 1897 at the University of Maine, The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi (PKP), the nation's oldest, largest, and most selective all-discipline honor society, has initiated 1 million members throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines. On March 16, the CSU Dominguez Hills chapter added 96 students, 18 faculty, staff, and administrators, and one alum to that number, joining the ranks of former U.S. President Jimmy Carter; jazz legend Dave Brubeck; and Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

Senior Gracie Johnson (Political Science/Psychology) sums up her initiation into PKP as “a reminder of the bright future that one is preparing for himself or herself. Being recognized in front of faculty and the president of one's school is a great accomplishment, and organizations like Phi Kappa Phi help promote a sense of scholastic competitiveness that is very beneficial to a university and to students.”

According to Mary Lou Cappel, coordinator, Recreation and Leisure Studies and president, PKP Chapter 241, the event was the largest initiation in CSUDH history since its establishment on campus in 1984. She emphasizes the importance of membership, particularly to students, who are invited to join based solely on academic achievement, from the top 10 percent of seniors and graduate students and the top 7.5 percent of juniors.

“We want students to feel valued,” she says. “The more things we can give them to crystallize their value, the better. This year, I decided I wanted to give out scholarships. Our chapter has never done that before. We broke the bank on that, but we were able to give a substantial amount of money to these students, which will enhance our profile on the student front.”

Among the benefits of PKP membership to students, more than $700,000 is awarded annually throughout the national organization. Seniors Karla Alonso (History), Geneva Lemon (Public Administration), and Nashaunda Williams (Business Administration) each received $250; Gracie Johnson (Political Science) received $500; and Michael Scott (History) received $1,000. Graduate student Alice Hsu (Special Education) received $1,000. Cappel hopes to grow student membership by promoting membership incentives such as scholarships, discounts from businesses such as Dell and Barnes and Noble, and services such as Web-based seminars on educational and career-related topics.

“Each year, I try to explain membership perks a little more,” she says. “Through their  connection to our chapter of Phi Kappa Phi, they can join chapters at graduate schools across the country. If they want to take the LSAT, they can get a lower rate from the Princeton Review. It looks great on their resume, and really gives them status since they were selected because of their high GPA.”

Locally, Cappel plans to increase PKP’s profile on campus as well, coordinating events in the future with the help of new initiates Sheila Butts, director, Alumni Relations, and Kim Clark, director, University Student Union. According to Cappel, one member a year was typically chosen from each of the faculty, staff, administration, and alumni. Further research into the bylaws revealed that the number of these potential initiates was based on the number of student nominations, resulting in the larger group this year.

“Our visibility depends on who is on the executive board and how many of the members around the University are participating,” she says. “Because we had so few members in the past, the number of elected members on our campus is limited. Hopefully, next year we’ll invite 18 more and it will mushroom. With that, we can get these great opportunities out to the students, including grants and chances to study abroad.”

“Membership in organizations like Phi Kappa Phi is an honor that shows that hard work and academic excellence is highly valued by professors and administrators,” says Charles Hohm, dean, College of Natural and Behavioral Sciences. “This validation of academic work and success often leads more students to the pursuit of masters and doctoral degrees.”

The organization’s slogan, which is repeated by new members during the initiation ceremony, is, “Philosophía  Krateíto Phōtộn.” Translated from the Greek, this means “Let the Love of Learning Rule Humanity.” Randy Flores, consultant, Information Technology, echoes this statement as the greatest benefit of membership in the CSUDH chapter.

“By Phi Kappa Phi’s selection of students, faculty, staff, and alumni from all majors and departments,” he notes, “we are promoting excellence throughout the entire campus.”

For more information on Phi Kappa Phi, visit http://www.phikappaphi.org/Web/.

- Joanie Harmon

Photos above: The 2006 Phi Kappa Phi cabinet of officers are inducted into their posts.
(L-R) Mary Lou Cappel, current president and coordinator, Recreation and Leisure Studies;
Laura Robles, president elect and acting dean, Graduate Studies; Naomi Moy, vice president and director, Reference Services, University Library; Loretta Adikhai, secretary and director, Events and Ceremonies;and Tracey Haney, public relations officer and office manager, Academic Programs.

New faculty and staff initiates take the PKP pledge.
First row (L-R): Charles Hohm, dean, College of Natural and Behavioral Sciences; Sheila Butts, director, Alumni Relations; Kim Clark, director, University Student Union; Ray Riznyk, director, Research and Funded Projects; Susan Sloan, chief, California State University Police; Silvia Santos, professor of psychology; Douglas Borcoman, instructional design specialist, College of Health and Human Services; Tigress Briggs, program manager, Minority Biomedical Research Support; and Randy Flores, consultant, Information Technology. Second row: Rosemarie Marcotte, assistant to the director, Student Health and Psychological Services, and Kim Larson, outreach officer, University Outreach and Information Services.

Undergraduate and graduate students received a total of $2,250 in scholarships.
Back row (L-R): Senior Michael Scott (History); Cappel, and CSUDH President James E. Lyons, Sr.
Front row (L-R): Seniors Geneva Lemon (Public Administration); Karla Alonso (History); Nashaunda Williams (Business Administration); Gracie Johnson (Political Science); and graduate student Alice Hsu (Special Education).