In 1971, UT Martin’s honor societies limited students by being major-specific. Phi Kappa Phi changed that by being accepting of anyone from any major. The organization makes academic success the focus, instead of limiting opportunities and resources to those of only particular disciplines.
“The motto of the organization is let the love of learning rule humanity, and so we always want to encourage learning in any form, and so we host these events on campus … we just try to encourage students and faculty and community members to all come together and let’s learn something that we may or may not know anything about,” Dr. Carrie Humphreys says, the past president of UT Martin’s Phi Kappa Phi chapter and Assistant Professor of Political Science and International Studies.
UT Martin’s chapter of Phi Kappa Phi, a multidisciplinary honor society, is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. UT Martin was the 127th college to get a Phi Kappa Phi chapter out of more than 2000 colleges and universities in the United States. Juniors and seniors of high academic excellence are invited to become members, and the outstanding and rising members of freshmen and sophomores are recognized for their high academic excellence with a ceremony.
When the UT Martin chapter was first established on May 21, 1971, Michael Stockdale was one of the first UT Martin students to be initiated as a member. After Stockdale finished grad school at UT Martin, he went on to be a wildlife officer for over 34 years and now has been running the wildlife forensics lab at UT Martin for more than 15 years. He says that the start of the chapter was “really exciting, something new for all of us.”
The honor society’s presence on campus is seen through the events it hosts, such as a Fall Recognition Ceremony and Lecture, a faculty lecture, a Muriel Tomlinson lecture and the Spring Initiation Banquet each year. For the events, a different member from varying disciplines such as STEM and Humanities is chosen each time and invited to give a lecture on a topic he/ she is passionate about. These events are free and open to the public.
When UT Martin’s chapter was first established in 1971, there were not as many academic opportunities as there are currently. Phi Kappa Phi offers its students opportunities for scholarships, funds for research projects, graduate fellowships and opening doors to lifelong networking connections.
Dr. Anton Garcia-Fernandez, UT Martin’s PKP Secretary and Assistant Professor of Spanish, says that being able to stay connected with other faculty from similar and differing professions by being involved with the organization is “a good way to encourage students and help them a long way, not just to pass on knowledge but to also give opportunities to students.”
The chapter has increased steadily in membership and funding opportunities, such as scholarships and love of learning grants, over the years. In the future, the honor society is hoping to continue its growth to have a more visible presence on campus and to stand out from the other honor societies.
The UT Martin chapter received a Circle of Excellence Award for the 2021-2022 year, which recognizes the chapter’s work to promote excellence on campus and to engage the community. UT Martin is one of 72 chapters to be given the award this year.
Phi Kappa Phi means a lot to its members, no matter what part of life they are in or how involved they currently are. To Stockdale, his time with Phi Kappa Phi and watching as it changes and grows over the years is that of a “fond memory.”
To Garcia-Fernandez, it was a chance to “interact personally and professionally with colleagues in the same field and out.”
To Humphreys, Phi Kappa Phi has been a “companion throughout my academic career.”
To all, being a member of Phi Kappa Phi is a lifetime experience that is beneficial to students both academically and professionally.
