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Phi Kappa Phi

Membership

Eligibility

Phi Kappa Phi members represent the best and the brightest from all academic disciplines. Invitation to membership is based on academic achievements and exemplary character. Those eligible for membership in Clemson University Chapter 49 include last-term juniors in the upper 7.5 percent of their class and the upper 10 percent of seniors and graduate students. Also eligible are outstanding faculty, staff and alumni.

Affirmation of Membership

"In response to the honor bestowed on me, by my election to Phi Kappa Phi, I shall continue to uphold the motto of Phi Kappa Phi, Philosophia Krateito Photon: Let the love of learning rule humanity."

“I was fortunate to have the lion’s share of my college education supported by my family, scholarships and fellowships. This created a feeling of obligation for making these wonderful gifts amount to something. When Phi Kappa Phi reached out to me, I felt that an important down payment was made on that obligation. At the same time, Phi Kappa Phi motivated me to continue meeting my responsibilities, and pay back to future generations by helping others fulfill their educational aspirations.”

— Dr. Robert H. Jones, Phi Kappa Phi member initiated as an undergraduate at Clemson University in January 1978,
Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost, Clemson University

Nomination of Members

  • Criteria for Invitation of Undergraduate Students
    • Juniors must have completed at least 72 credit hours, with at least 24 semester hours at their current institution, and rank in the top 7.5 percent of their class.
    • Seniors must have completed at least 90 credit hours, with at least 24 semester hours at their current institution, and rank in the top 10 percent of their class.
  • Criteria for Invitation of Graduate Students
    • Graduate and professional students must have completed at least 18 semester hours or 27 quarter hours at their institution and rank in the top 10% of their class or with a cumulative 3.85 GPA or higher.
  • Criteria for Invitation of Faculty and Staff
    • If the nominee is a member of the faculty or staff and was not elected into Phi Kappa Phi as an undergraduate, additional supporting information must be supplied which details the accomplishments (i.e., positions held, research performed, publications, papers read, patents held, etc.) of the nominee.
    • If the nominee is a Clemson alumnus of five years’ standing or more who has never been initiated into Phi Kappa Phi, information must be supplied to detail the person’s outstanding achievements since graduation.
    • If the nominee has no connection with Clemson University and is being presented for Honorary Membership, information must be supplied to detail the person’s outstanding eminence in some academic, creative or intellectual endeavor.

Membership Benefits

There are several reasons to join. None, though, is more important than this: Membership recognizes and rewards academic success. At initiation, members receive gold keys and membership certificates. But Phi Kappa Phi is considerably more than a gold key and an impressive addition to a résumé. Phi Kappa Phi members enjoy many benefits such as:

Lifelong Respect

Membership in Phi Kappa Phi carries with it the respect of family, friends, peers and employers.

Awards and Grants

Students interested in applying for any of these awards can contact the Office of Major Fellowships for assistance.

  • Pioneer Award
    Phi Kappa Phi Pioneer Awards are designed to encourage and reward undergraduate members for developing the research, engagement, and leadership skills necessary to become successful scholars. Fifty $1,000 awards are distributed annually.
  • Study Abroad Grant

    Phi Kappa Phi Study Abroad Grants are designed to help support undergraduates as they seek knowledge and experience in their academic fields by studying abroad. One hundred twenty-five (125) $1,000 grants are awarded each year.

  • Fellowship

    The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi currently awards fifty Fellowships of $8,500 each, six at $20,000 each, and two at $35,000 each to members entering the first year of graduate or professional study. This application is completed online, saved and submitted to the local chapter to be considered in the Fellowship competition.

  • Dissertation Fellowship

    The Dissertation Fellowship is new to the Society and is intended to support doctoral candidates who are writing dissertations. Phi Kappa Phi awards fifteen Dissertation Fellowships of $10,000 per year.

  • Graduate Research Grant
    The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi annually awards 20 grants of up to $1,500 to active members attending graduate school. These grants provide funding for research in support of career development opportunities.
  • Literacy Grant

    The Literacy Grants program was initiated to mobilize members and resources of Phi Kappa Phi and the higher education community to champion literacy initiatives. Grants of up to $2,500 are available to Phi Kappa Phi chapters and individual members to fund ongoing literacy projects or to create new initiatives. The Society's commitment to the cause of literacy grows out of and is consistent with its mission, which was expanded to include "... and to engage the community of scholars in service to others."

  • Love of Learning Award

    Love of Learning Awards help fund post-baccalaureate studies and/or career development for active Phi Kappa Phi members to include (but not be limited to) Graduate or professional studies, doctoral dissertations, continuing education, career development, travel related to teaching/studies, etc. Recipients of the Fellowship award are not eligible to apply. 200 awards will be distributed at $1,000 each.

  • Scholar or Artist Award

    The Phi Kappa Phi Scholar Award and Phi Kappa Phi Artist Award honor those individuals who demonstrate the ideals of the Society through their activities, achievements, and scholarship. Each awardee receives a recognition citation, life membership and a $1,000 donation to a nonprofit cause of their choice. Each award is given once per biennium.

    First presented in 1974, the Scholar Award recognized excellence in teaching, research, and public service. In 1983, the Artist Award was established to recognize the achievements of those who, in addition to their outstanding scholarship, have displayed talents in the broad realm of the arts-creative, graphic, performing, visual, and/or fine arts.

  • Ray Sylvester Distinguished Service

    The Ray Sylvester Distinguished Service Award honors an individual who has provided sustained, non-compensated volunteer service to others beyond the realm of academia. The awardee receives a recognition citation, life membership and a $1,000 donation to a nonprofit cause of their choice. The award is given once per biennium.

Other Benefits

  • Online Access

    Through Phi Kappa Phi’s national website, members have access to a number of services and products, including health insurance, online banking, travel, society information and much more.

  • Leadership and Networking Opportunities

    Leadership positions exist at the chapter, regional and national levels.
    Conferences and conventions provide excellent opportunities to meet other members of this esteemed organization.

  • Publications

    The society offers two quarterly publications to its members — The Phi Kappa Phi National Forum, a scholarly magazine, and The Phi Kappa Phi Newsletter.

Membership Renewal

The Clemson University Chapter of The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi invites inactive members affiliated with another chapter to become active in the society at Clemson. Maintaining your active membership in Phi Kappa Phi is a testament to your commitment to honor and excellence. Funds collected through national dues are used to finance award competitions, publications and other society activities. Payment of chapter dues supports the activities of the local chapter.

Your decision to sustain active membership also ensures access to a host of benefits, including subscriptions to the society’s magazine and newsletter, various scholarships and awards, high-quality Phi Kappa Phi merchandise and products and services offered by Answer Financial Inc. and MBNA’s MasterCard.

There are two easy ways to reactivate or transfer your membership. You can renew your membership by completing the online membership renewal form. You can also call the national headquarters at 1-800-804-9880 and use a MasterCard or Visa to pay your membership fees.

Find information about current national and chapter membership dues on the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi website. There are options to pay your dues yearly or make a lifetime payment.