Phi Kappa Phi FAQs

How long has Phi Kappa Phi been at Penn State University?
Why join Phi Kappa Phi?
Who is the President of the Penn State Chapter of Phi Kappa Phi?
Where and when is the initiation ceremony?
Do I have to attend the initiation ceremony to be inducted into Phi Kappa Phi?
How will I get my certificate and pin if I do not attend the initiation ceremony?
What is acceptable dress for the Phi Kappa Phi Initiation Ceremony?
I read in my nomination letter that only juniors and seniors can be nominated but I am a sophomore. How was I nominated?
I lost my nomination letter. Where can I get a copy so that I know how to accept my nomination?
I enrolled online and there is a problem with how much my credit card was charged and/or my information. Who do I contact to correct this?
How will I know that I have completed the online enrolled for Phi Kappa Phi?
I received a nomination letter, however, I am already a member of Phi Kappa Phi. Does this mean that I am no longer a member?
I am traveling abroad this semester. Can I accept this nomination?
Is it possible to maintain an active membership while studying abroad?
Do I need to wait to go through the Initiation Ceremony before applying for fellowships and awards?
How successful are Penn State students at receiving fellowships and awards through Phi Kappa Phi?
Can a student from a campus other than University Park could join and what would their involvement be? Are there meetings that we would need to attend? How does the process work for someone on a separate campus?
Is it possible to belong to more than one honor society?
What are chapter dues?
Once I pay my initiation fee do I have to pay any additional annual fees for membership in Phi Kappa Phi?
After I am initiated how long before I have to pay National and Chapter dues?
What obligations are there once you become a member of Phi Kappa Phi?
The national website, Phikappaphi.org, says the 'initiate' fees are $45 dollars and my 'congratulations' letter says that I am required to pay $75 plus $12 dollars per quest. Can you reconcile this information for me?

How long has Phi Kappa Phi been at Penn State University?

Phi Kappa Phi is the oldest all discipline honor society at Penn State established in 1900. In 1900, the presidents of the University of Maine, the Pennsylvania State College (now the Pennsylvania State University), and the University of Tennessee pledged their support; and the society thus became national, with three chapters. It was renamed Phi Kappa Phi from the initial letters of the three classical greek words forming its adopted motto: philosophia krateito photon, 'let the love of learning rule humanity.' currently there are over 300 chapters of Phi Kappa Phi scattered from Maine to Hawaii and the Philippines, and from Alaska to Puerto Rico.

Why join Phi Kappa Phi?

Standards for election are extremely high. Membership is by invitation only to the top 7.5 percent of second-semester juniors and the top 10 percent of seniors and graduate students. Because Phi Kappa Phi is highly selective, membership is a stamp of excellence that is recognized by graduate and professional school admissions committees and employers alike.
Phi Kappa Phi members are eligible to apply for numerous Scholarships and Awards, valued at more than $700,000 annually. The Society's extensive award programs provide everything from $15,000 Fellowships for graduate school to $500 Love of Learning grants for continuing education and professional development.
Phi Kappa Phi corporate partners provide discounts to members. By partnering with companies such as Apple, Dell, T-Mobile and Liberty Mutual, Phi Kappa Phi is able to offer valuable discounts and services to its members, often at negotiated savings.

Click on the link below and see more reasons to join! http://www.phikappaphi.org/web/About/Why_Join_Phi_Kappa_Phi.html

Who is the President of the Penn State Chapter of Phi Kappa Phi?

Dr. Sharon Miller is the current Chapter President. She is a graduate faculty in the Department of Energy and Mining Engineering in the College of Earth and Mineral Science at University Park, research faculty and Director of the Office of Student Development at The EMS Energy Institute. She has been President since 2006.

Where and when is the initiation ceremony?

Details about the Initiation Ceremony (location, directions, etc.) can be found at /initiation.html

Do I have to attend the initiation ceremony to be inducted into Phi Kappa Phi?

No. You are considered a member once you enroll online.

How will I get my certificate and pin if I do not attend the initiation ceremony?

Your certificate and pin will be sent to your permanent address after the initiation ceremony.

What is acceptable dress for the Phi Kappa Phi Initiation Ceremony?

Dress should be in keeping with the honor of the ceremony. Acceptable men's wear would be: shirt and tie, with or without a suit or sport jacket or a suit. Acceptable women's wear would be a suit (pants or skirt), dress pants or a skirt and a nice top or jacket or a semi-formal dress. Unacceptable dress would include jeans, sandals, sneakers, miniskirts, or bare midriffs.

I read in my nomination letter that only juniors and seniors can be nominated but I am a sophomore. How was I nominated?

Your class status is based on the number of credit hours. If are a sophomore in your major but came to Penn State with significant AP credits from high school or transfer credits from another institution then you may be eligible for nomination based on the number of credits you have.

I lost my nomination letter. Where can I get a copy so that I know how to accept my nomination?

A copy of a "generic" nomination letter can be requested from pkp@ems.psu.edu. It contains information on how to enroll online, deadlines and initiation information.

I enrolled online and there is a problem with how much my credit card was charged and/or my information. Who do I contact to correct this?

Any problems/questions with online registration should be directed to Kam Lubben at klubben@phikappaphi.com (800-804-9880 ext 220). In your email indicate that you are enrolling to the Penn State Chapter (#3). It is their policy to get in contact with you within 24 hours.

How will I know that I have completed the online enrolled for Phi Kappa Phi?

Each student receives a confirmation email when they enroll online. It is automatically generated. If you believe that there is an error then contact Kam Lubben(klubben@phikappaphi.com)or call 800-804-9880 ext. 220.

I received a nomination letter, however, I am already a member of Phi Kappa Phi. Does this mean that I am no longer a member?

No. We cross check the list of students that are nominated each year with those who have been initiated and sometimes we miss someone. You can confirm that you are still a member by going to the national website at www.phikappaphi.org and logging in with you membership ID under "Members Only". If you cannot remember your ID then contact the national headquarters.

I am traveling abroad this semester. Can I accept this nomination?

Yes. You do not need to attend the ceremony to enroll.

Is it possible to maintain an active membership while studying abroad?

There is no problem maintaining membership in Phi Kappa Phi while studying abroad. Phi Kappa Phi makes you eligible for scholarships, academic services as well as corporate discounts.

Do I need to wait to go through the Initiation Ceremony before applying for fellowships and awards?

No. You are considered an "active" member of Phi Kappa Phi once you enroll online.

How successful are Penn State students at receiving fellowships and awards through Phi Kappa Phi?

Every Penn State student who has been nominated by the Chapter for a National Fellowship has won!!!

Can a student from a campus other than University Park join and what would their involvement be?

All Penn State students are eligible for nomination to Phi Kappa Phi. We plan to have student involvement in academic outreach programs and programs at University Park and to establish student groups at the branch campuses. However at this time we do not have student groups at the branch campuses, as we need faculty to act as advisors. Meetings at University Park are not mandatory. Students interested in getting involved should contact our student vice president.

Is it possible to belong to more than one honor society?

There is no problem being a member of more than one honor society.

What are chapter dues?

The initiation fee is $90 (This includes national and chapter dues for the first year, initiation materials and lunch for the initiated student). Once you join the annual chapter dues are $5.00 and national dues are $35 per year. For your initiation fee, you will receive a certificate of initiation, a Phi Kappa Phi pin, national and local dues for one year, a one-year subscription to the Phi Kappa Phi quarterly National Forum, an outstanding periodical featuring timely and scholarly articles on topics of interdisciplinary interest, and the bimonthly Newsletter. You also are eligible to apply for awards and scholarships valued at more than $700,000 per year, career assistance and corporate discounts.

Once I pay my initiation fee do I have to pay any additional annual fees for membership in Phi Kappa Phi?

Once you join Phi Kappa Phi you are a member for life; we never delete your membership record. To maintain an"'active" membership there is an annual dues fee. You choose to be an active member by paying dues and receiving benefits OR you can remain inactive. The annual National membership renewal fee is $35 and is required to be considered an active member and receive the full benefits of membership for one year. In lieu of making annual dues payments, members may opt to make a one-time Active-for-Life payment ($320), which ensures that they receive the benefits of active membership for a lifetime. Penn State Chapter annual dues are $5.00.

After I am initiated how long before I have to pay National and Chapter dues?

You are a member for life once you enroll in Phi Kappa Phi. You are considered an "active" member for 1 year after you enroll in Phi Kappa Phi. After that time you need to pay annual National and Chapter dues to be "active". You can pay dues online. If you do not pay dues you are considered an "inactive" member.

What obligations are there once you become a member of Phi Kappa Phi?

There are no "obligations" once you join Phi Kappa Phi although there are opportunities to help in building the Penn State Chapter and participating in programs at the National level. Members are encouraged to participate in events here at PSU. Membership in Phi Kappa Phi brings many opportunities in the form of fellowships, resume building services, and job services. There are also corporate discounts that you receive as a member. Membership is also recognition of your academic achievement and can be noted as such on your resume.

The national website, Phikappaphi.org, says the 'initiate' fees are $50 dollars and my 'congratulations' letter says that I am required to pay $90 plus $12 dollars per guest. Can you reconcile this information for me?

The initiation fee is $90 which covers the national organization first year dus fee of $30, national organization initiation fee of $20, and the chapter initiation fee of $40 and includes lunch for the initiate. Your initiation fee also covers your first year of National and Chapter annual dues. The $12 per guest fee covers a lunch buffet for the guest.