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The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi

The National Honor Society

Founded in 1897 at the University of Maine, PKP is the nation’s oldest, largest 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.” The motto of PKP is Philosophia Krateitõ Phõtôn, translated “Let the love of learning rule humanity.” Today chapters of PKP are on the campuses of nearly 300 colleges and universities in the United States, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines.

Boise State University Chapter 159

In 1974, Dr. William Mech and Dr. Wallace Kay of the Honors Program were instrumental in beginning a PKP Chapter at Boise State University.

  • The primary purposes of this organization are to promote the pursuit of excellence in all fields of higher education; to recognize outstanding achievement by students, faculty, and others through election to membership and through various awards for distinguished achievement; and to engage the community of scholars in service to others.
  • Membership in this chapter is open to qualified scholars with integrity and high ethical standards from all academic disciplines.
  • Initiated members remain members of The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi even though they do not maintain active membership in either this chapter or in the national society.

Phi Kappa Phi Induction

The Boise State University chapter of Phi Kappa Phi will induct new members in the spring semester of every year. Students must be in the top 7.5% of the junior class, the top 10% of the senior class, or the top 10% of graduate students with at least 18 credits. Eligible students will receive an email early in the spring semester one year before induction.