Students and faculty recognized for academic excellence
Millikin University's chapter of The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi inducted a total of 17 new members on March 7, 2021.
The faculty and staff initiates included:
Dr. Joyce Bezdicek, associate professor of education
Dr. Amy Delaney, assistant professor of communication
The student inductees included:
Baylee Baxter, a junior elementary education major from Eureka, Ill.
Rachael Croy, a senior nursing major from Decatur, Ill.
Sofia D'Alessio, a junior theatre major from Chula Vista, Calif.
Max DiPasquale, a junior music education-instrumental major from Belleville, Ill.
Kionah Flowers, a senior English writing major from Decatur
Ashley Galloway, a junior organizational leadership major from Decatur
Courtney Layton, a senior elementary education major from Decatur
Cindy Lewis, a junior early childhood education major from Decatur
Sean Miller, a sophomore finance and management information systems double major from Hope, Ind.
Amanda Noser, a junior accounting major with a criminal justice minor from Ballwin, Mo.
Jeana Pierson, a junior English writing major with a criminal justice minor from Harristown, Ill.
Madison Roberson, a junior social science education and Spanish double major from Decatur
Rachel Ryan-Dennison, a junior early childhood developmental therapy major from Decatur
Zachary Smith, a sophomore music education-vocal major from Mattoon, Ill.
Hannah Warfel, a junior music major from Tuscola, Ill.
Phi Kappa Phi is the nation's oldest, largest and most selective all-discipline honor society. 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. Its chapters are on more than 300 college and university campuses.
"Our mission states clearly who we are and what we do: to recognize and promote academic excellence in all fields of higher education and to engage the community of scholars in service to others," said Millikin Dean of Campus Life Paul Lidy, '04.
Millikin's chapter of Phi Kappa Phi, established in 1950, invites the top students, as well as a limited number of faculty, staff and alumni to join the chapter each year.
To become a member of Phi Kappa Phi, senior undergraduates shall be in the upper 10 percent of their class in each college or division. Juniors are drawn from the upper 7.5 percent of their class. Graduate and professional students who have completed one full year of study and are in the upper 10 percent of all candidates for graduate or professional degrees are also eligible for membership. Faculty, administrators, professional staff and alumni who have achieved scholarly distinction, service and leadership also qualify for membership.
"Phi Kappa Phi's standards are unsurpassed and second to none," Lidy said. "We seek to reward excellence wherever it can be identified. We are pleased and proud of the initiates and what they have achieved."
Every two years the honor society as a whole gives away more than $1 million to outstanding students, members and chapters. Those inducted into Phi Kappa Phi are qualified for annual grants and awards.
For more information about Millikin's chapter of Phi Kappa Phi, visit millikin.edu/phi-kappa-phi.