Founded in 1897 at the University of Maine, Phi Kappa Phi is the oldest, largest, and most selective honor society to recognize and promote excellence in all academic disciplines. It is an honor society that draws its members from all academic disciplines within colleges and universities. Each year, approximately 34,000 students, faculty, professional staff, and alumni are initiated.

Election to membership is by invitation only. Those elected to membership include upper 7.5 percent last-term juniors (having completed at least seventy-two semester hours) and upper 10 percent seniors, along with outstanding graduate students, faculty, professional staff, and alumni.

Since its founding, Phi Kappa Phi has initiated more than 1 million members. Its chapters are on nearly 300 campuses in the United States, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines. More than 120,000 members maintain their active status in Phi Kappa Phi, which affords them the benefits associated with dues-paying membership.

The Society's 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."

More than $700,000 is awarded annually in national and local scholarships.

At initiation, members receive gold keys and certificates of membership. But Phi Kappa Phi is more than a gold key and a line on a résumé. It is a 100+-year-old organization made up of the best and brightest from all academic disciplines; a community of scholars who are leaving an enviable legacy for future generations.

Phi Kappa Phi offers not only scholarly recognition at the local level but also a vast array of opportunities at the national level. It is well worth the time for those invited to membership as well as those already initiated to browse the national website for scholarship, networking, graduate school, and employment opportunities.

Phi Kappa Phi, http://www.phikappaphi.org/

The Phi Kappa Phi Research Symposium will be held on Wednesday, April 11, 2012, in the Russell Union.

View the complete schedule of events and presentations here.