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Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Phi Kappa Phi Chapter 203 has been honored with the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi’s Circle of Excellence Gold Chapter recognition, the second-highest commendation a chapter can receive from the national organization.

The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi (PKP) is the nation’s oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines. Its Circle of Excellence Awards are presented to chapters that exceed expectations in chapter operations and demonstrate sustainability and vitality as a chapter.

“It is a tremendous honor to have received the Circle of Excellence Gold Award,” said SIUE PKP Chapter 203 President Megan Wieser. “SIUE Chapter 203 experienced a successful year of growth and development in 2021. We creatively offered our spring initiates both an online initiation ceremony and an in-person photo opportunity. Additionally, we launched a fresh website, analyzed and advanced committee efforts, and celebrated a National Graduate Fellowship Award recipient.”

PKP Chapter 203’s Graduate Fellowship Award winner was Hayley Smith, of Decatur. The chapter presented Smith with a $1,000 award and nominated her for the competitive national award. Smith was select as a national Fellow and received an additional $8,500 toward her graduate degree.

Smith earned a bachelor’s in political science and philosophy from SIUE in May 2020. She is currently studying at the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School and aspires to work in international arbitration, trade and human rights.

The Circle of Excellence program was introduced in 2018. The program recognized 74 chapters this year, including 23 with the Gold distinction. Phi Kappa Phi currently has chapters on more than 325 select campuses in the United States, its territories and the Philippines.

“Our chapters are the lifeblood of Phi Kappa Phi,” said former acting Society Executive Director Traci Navarre. “We’re proud to recognize and celebrate their success with a Circle of Excellence Award.”

The Circle of Excellence Gold honor is given to chapters who scored a 95-99 out of 100 on a criteria scale that evaluates chapter health indicators. By receiving the Gold distinction, SIUE Chapter 203 is recognized as a thriving organization that holds annual initiations, upholds the Society Bylaws, regularly attends chapter training opportunities and submits a chapter-endorsed nominee to the Phi Kappa Phi Fellowship Program.

“We are grateful for the support of the national organization, and are motivated to continue to promote academic excellence and a love of learning,” Wieser concluded.

To learn more about SIUE’s Phi Kappa Phi Chapter 203, visit siue.edu/PKP. For information on the Circle of Excellence program, visit phikappaphi.org/2022Excellence.

About Phi Kappa Phi
Founded in 1897, Phi Kappa Phi is the nation’s oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines. Phi Kappa Phi inducts approximately 25,000 students, faculty, professional staff and alumni annually. The Society has chapters on more than 325 select colleges and universities in the United States, its territories and the Philippines. Membership is by invitation only to the top 10 percent of seniors and graduate students and 7.5 percent of juniors. 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.” For more information, visit www.PhiKappaPhi.org.

Photo: The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi’s Circle of Excellence Gold Chapter recognition badge.