Company Profile
The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi
Company Overview
Founded in 1897, The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi is the nation's oldest and most selective all-discipline honor society. The Society has chapters on more than 325 college and university campuses across the U.S., its territories and the Philippines. The mission is "to recognize and promote academic excellence in all fields of higher education and engages the community of scholars in service to others."
Since its founding, more than 1.5 million members have been initiated. Some of the organization's more notable members include former President Jimmy Carter, NASA astronaut Wendy Lawrence, novelist David Baldacci, and YouTube co-founder Chad Hurley. More than $1 million is awarded annually to qualifying students, members and chapters through the Society's award programs.
Company History
In 1897, 10 senior students, two faculty members and the University of Maine president created a new kind of honor society, one that recognized excellence in all academic disciplines covering a wider range of students than any other honor society in existence at that time.
Under the leadership of student Marcus L. Urann, who created the bylaws and constitution for the organization, the group formed the Lambda Sigma Eta Society. Upon Urann's graduation, the school's president Abram Harris lead the way for promoting the Society.
In 1900, the Society was renamed Phi Kappa Phi from the letters of the Greek words forming its motto, Philosophía Krateítõ Phõtôn, "Let the love of learning rule humanity." The group also gained support from the presidents of Pennsylvania State College and the University of Tennessee to expand into a national organization.
Today, the Society has chapters on more than 325 campuses in the United States, its territories and the Philippines. Its mission is "to recognize and promote academic excellence in all fields of higher education and engages the community of scholars in service to others."
Notable Accomplishments / Recognition
Since its founding, more than 1.5 million members have been initiated into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi. Some of the organization's more notable members include former President Jimmy Carter, NASA astronaut Wendy Lawrence, novelist David Baldacci, and YouTube co-founder Chad Hurley. More than $1 million is awarded annually to qualifying students, members and chapters through the Society's award programs.