New Chapter of Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society Starts at Florida Tech

MELBOURNE, FLA. — In late 2008, the administration of Florida Institute of Technology was notified that the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society Board of Directors
unanimously approved a chapter of the society on the Florida Tech campus.

The university was reviewed and evaluated earlier in the fall and is planning its charter installation for spring 2009.

In January, Dr. Randall Alford, Florida Tech associate provost for graduate and international programs, received training in getting the chapter up and
running at the honor society’s national headquarters in Baton Rouge, La.

“The chapter is a welcome and prestigious addition to the academic life of our university — especially as we celebrate our 50th anniversary,” said Alford,
who will now begin chapter development.

Founded in 1897 at the University of Maine, Phi Kappa Phi is the nation’s oldest, largest, and most selective honor society for all academic disciplines.
Its chapters are on more than 300 campuses in the United States, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines. Membership is by invitation only to the top 10 percent
of seniors and graduate students and 7.5 percent of juniors. 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.”

Each year, approximately 30,000 members are initiated. Since its founding, Phi Kappa Phi has initiated more than one million members into its ranks, which
comprise the best and brightest professionals and scholars from all academic disciplines.

Alford led the review and site visit. “We are honored and excited to welcome Phi Kappa Phi on campus and to begin this tradition of recognizing academic
excellence at Florida Tech,” he said.

Founded in 1897 and headquartered in Baton Rouge, La., Phi Kappa Phi is the nation’s oldest, largest and most selective all-discipline honor society. Phi
Kappa Phi inducts annually more than 30,000 students, faculty, professional staff and alumni. The Society has chapters on more than 300 select colleges and
universities in North America 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.