Initiation Ceremony
College of Charleston
March 30, 2023
6:00 PM
SSMB 129
About The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi
Phi Kappa Phi is the nation’s oldest 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.
Philosophía Krateítõ Photôn
Let the love of learning rule humanity
Philosophía. The first word of the motto literally means “love of wisdom” or “love of knowledge and wisdom,” a Greek word compounded from phílos meaning “loving” or “friendly” and sophía meaning “wisdom.” However, for historical reasons, the Society uses the phrase “love of learning” out of respect for the founders’ English version of the motto that seems to have preceded the Greek version. Because the founders probably intended to emphasize the value of what is gained through the process of learning and not merely the process itself, the original translator (Professor J.H. Huddilston of the University of Maine) apparently used phílosophía rather than philomátheia, the more common way of rendering “love of learning” in Greek (see Plato’s Republic 499e for a nearly synonymous use of both terms).
Krateítõ. The second word of the motto is a verb in the imperative mood, meaning “Let…rule.” As a strong imperative, it is an exhortation to action, not merely a hope or wish, hence “let” is used rather than “may.” The basic meaning of the word is the exertion of power and control, derived from the noun krátos, meaning “strength” or “might.” Krátos is also a source of the terms “democracy” (rule of the people) and “aristocracy” (rule of the noble).
Phõtôn. The third word appears in classical Greek poetry and drama; for example, in Euripides with the meaning of “mortals” in contrast to the gods of the “immortals.” The 1995 Convention in St. Louis changed the official wording from “mankind” to “humanity” on the grounds that the term “mankind” had come to have sexist connotations alien to the ideals of Phi Kappa Phi.
Awards
In addition to the national awards below, our chapter sponsors individual student awards related to research activity and academic performance each year.
Dissertation Fellowships: Each year, Phi Kappa Phi awards ten Fellowships of $10,000 each to active members who are doctoral candidates and are completing dissertations.
Fellowships: Each year, Phi Kappa Phi awards 50 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. Each Phi Kappa Phi chapter may select one candidate from among its local applicants to compete for the Society-wide awards.
Study Abroad Grants: Study Abroad Grants are designed to help support undergraduates as they seek knowledge and experience in their academic fields by studying abroad. Seventy-five $1,000 grants are awarded each year.
Love of Learning Awards: Love of Learning Awards help fund post-baccalaureate studies and/or career development for active members. Two hundred awards, at $500 each, are awarded annually.
Literacy Grants: Literacy Grants of up to $2,500 each are available to Phi Kappa Phi chapters and individual members to fund ongoing literacy projects or to create new initiatives.
Phi Kappa Phi Scholar and Artist: The Phi Kappa Phi Scholar and Artist Awards honor individuals who demonstrate the ideals of the :Society through their activities, achievements, and scholarship.
Ray Sylvester Distinguished Service Award: The Ray Sylvester Distinguished Service Award honors an individual who has provided sustained, non-compensated volunteer service to others beyond the realm of academia.
Program
Introduction & Official Welcome
Dr. Anton Vander Zee
Chapter Background
Kamryn Schemine, Student Vice President
Ashley Matunis, Student Vice President
Dr. Susan Morrison, Executive Board Member
Membership Benefits
Dr. Courtney Murren
Induction of Student Initiates
Dr. Jesslyn Collins-Frohlich
Keynote
Dr. Merissa Ferrara
Business Meeting
Dr. Anton Vander Zee
Concluding Remarks
Dr. Jesslyn Collins-Frohlich
2023 List of Initiates
* indicates ceremony attendance
JUNIORS
Corinna Baker
Marketing
Calvin R. Biesecker*
Marine Biology
Anna Campbell*
Sociology & Crime, Law, and Society
Erica Childers*
Biochemistry
Ansley Elkins*
Biology
Della Evans
Biochemistry
Elizabeth Hochberg*
Chemistry
Morgan Kelly*
English & History
Reed A. Kurtz*
Music, Piano Performance
Hannah Martinson
Accounting
Katherine Poteet*
Political Science, History, & Middle Eastern Studies
Stefani Robinson
Marine Biology
Jared Schiele
Archaeology & Classics
Taylor Jade Schneider*
Political Science & Communications
Beck Smith*
Religious Studies
Grant Spraker*
Physics
Michael Stein*
English
Elana White
Psychology
Johnny Wilkes*
Finance & Computer Science
SENIORS
Madeline W Ashby*
Public Health
Tessa Bertine*
Communication, Marketing
Meredith Day
Biology
Ansley Grace Lesley
Spanish & French
Elizabeth Mezan*
Political Science
Ronit Pathak
Chemistry, Economics & International Studies
Sydney Pearson
Systems Engineering
Adeline Ríos
International Studies, Political Science, & Spanish
Anthony W. Ruvo*
Political Science (AB)
Melissa Witcher
Bachelor of Professional Studies
GRADUATE STUDENTS
Evan W. Cizler
Anthropology and Archaeology
Abigail Giordano*
English
Katherine ‘Kit’ B. Kelly*
Anthropology and Archaeology
Pamela Killingsworth*
Spanish
Kangkang Kovacs
Physics
Serena Irene Pasquino*
History
Elienid Rivera*
ESOL Education
Amanda J Tigar
English
Thomas Richard Waring, II
Psychology
FACULTY
In addition to our new student inductees, we would like to recognize our new faculty inductees–all of them recent recipients of campus-wide awards that recognize faculty excellence in research and teaching.
Dr. Debora Boyle
Philosophy
Dr. Timothy Carens
English
Dr. Isaure de Buron
Biology
Dr. Cara Delay
History
Dr. Cindi May
Psychology
Dr. Amy Rogers
Chemistry
Dr. Matt Rutter
Biology
Dr. Meg Scott-Copses
English
Professor Anthony Varallo
English
2023 Chapter Officers
Anton Vander Zee
President
James Bowring
Past President
Courtney Murren
President Elect
Jesslyn Collins-Frohlich
Awards & Grants Coordinator
Barbara Duval
Secretary
Chris Fragile
Public Relations Officer
Anton Vander Zee
Membership Secretary & Treasurer
Susan Morrison
Member-at-Large
Merissa Ferrara
Member-at-Large
Lancie Affonso
Member-at-Large
Ashley Matunis
Student VP
Kamryn Schemine
Student VP
Laura Atalla
Student VP
Tom Walter
Student VP