I am writing this letter in response to Mr. Michael Stewart’s
Editorial in the Feb. 14 edition of The Reflector regarding the
costs associated with professional honor societies. I am writing
this letter on behalf of my executive board and every member of Phi
Kappa Phi.
Phi Kappa Phi was started in 1897 by 10 undergraduate seniors at
the University of Maine. These weren’t money-hungry individuals but
individuals who felt that high scholarship and good character
within the university setting were important and should be
recognized. This over-riding goal is maintained by every chapter of
Phi Kappa Phi in the United States; it forms the basis of how we
select initiates and is the foundation of our initiation ceremony.
We are the only honor society at Mississippi State University that
spans all colleges and all departments. Yes, our initiation dues
are high, but they are used wisely. They would likely be greater,
but every dean of every college and school at MSU donates funds to
help support our activities. This should say something about the
value of Phi Kappa Phi!
Only students with good character and a GPA exceeding 3.75 for
juniors, 3.5 for seniors and 4.0 for graduate students are
considered, and they must be voted on by the members. Phi Kappa
Phi, through its dues, supports two initiations per year, in which
we mail out over 1,800 letters to outstanding students. At the
initiation we host a reception so that the initiates, initiates’
parents and family and faculty may visit. We sponsor an annual
scholarship at MSU, and we co-sponsor Scholar’s Recognition Day
every spring, which is a campus-wide activity. We are also very
active throughout the year with MSU campus honors activities. At
commencement, we give medallions to those students who have
achieved a 4.0 GPA in all courses. From our parent society, our
members receive a quarterly publication that is extremely relevant
to students and academic professionals, and offers for national
scholarships.
I agree that our students are inundated with offers to join
various organizations, but I am very sorry that Stewart did not
investigate the goals of the organizations he attacked. If he had,
he would have learned that he belittled a group of scholars who
place a great value on supporting and being a part of an
organization that recognizes honor, scholarship and good character
over 70 bucks!
Dr. Bruce D. Leopold is the president of Phi Kappa
Phi.