Devin Smith
Staff Writer
On Monday a ceremony was held to recognize and honor the newest members of the Troy University chapter of Phi Kappa Phi.
More than 100 students gathered with their families and faculty to join the oldest and most selective scholastic honors society, which was recently named a Chapter of Merit among the over 300 chapters worldwide.
To be eligible for consideration juniors and seniors must have finished at least 72 credit hours and rank in the top seven and a half percent of their class, and must have been enrolled at the university for at least 24 credit hours.
Chapter President Jerry Johnson was very excited to welcome the new members
“I’m very much about inter-disciplinary where all of the disciplines come together,” Johnson said. “This is the only honors society that crosses from the arts to the sciences and even education. It’s wonderful to see them recognized and to have an active membership, I love being a part of it.”
Induction grants lifetime membership to all those inducted which comes with a series of benefits.
Chapter Treasurer Elaine Bassett is a long-time member of the organization, but what really stands out to her about Phi Kappa Phi is how it hasn’t changed during her time as a member.
“It has maintained high standards ever since the beginning and has continued to serve and recognize the students,” Bassett said. “One way it has changed is that the national organization offers more for students, at one time it was purely recognition but now it offers so many scholarships and awards.”
Members are given the opportunity to apply for things such as scholarships and the Love of Learning Award, which can be used to help fund things such as post-graduate studies or career development endeavors.
Among the new members, two individuals were specifically recognized for their academic achievements over the course of their college careers.
Zahra Qureshi, a senior psychology major from Dothan, was named Phi Kappa Phi Outstanding Senior, and Naomi Perez, junior English major from Enterprise, was named Outstanding Junior.
After the ceremony Qureshi spoke about the significance of being honored and why it should be important to current students along with those coming in the future.
“It was really an honor to be selected to the society and then getting the special recognition was great,” Qureshi said. “I think it’s super important to stick to your studies and not give up on that, especially for incoming freshmen and sophomores.”
Perez said the she felt honored and blessed to be at a school that recognizes the hard work of its students, but that she couldn’t have done it alone.
“I wouldn’t be where I am without the support of my parents and the faculty at Troy,” Perez said. “Especially the professors I’ve come across in the English department.”
New members were also recognized on Tuesday night at the annual Phi Kappa Phi Honors Convocation, which was held in Claudia Crosby Theatre.
