MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Middle Tennessee State University students Naime Gokce and Emma Parker have been selected as recipients of 2026 Pioneer Awards from The National Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, earning national recognition for their academic achievement, leadership, and campus involvement.

The Pioneer Award program recognizes undergraduate Phi Kappa Phi members who are developing the research, engagement, and leadership skills necessary to become successful scholars. Each year, the national honor society awards $1,000 scholarships to 50 students nationwide.

“We are incredibly proud of these students for earning the Phi Kappa Phi Pioneer Award, a national recognition that celebrates not only academic excellence, but also a commitment to research, leadership, and service,” said Dianna Rust, president of MTSU’s PKP Chapter 246. “Being selected among outstanding undergraduate scholars from across the country reflects the exceptional talent and dedication of our students at MTSU. We look forward to seeing the impact they will continue to make in their fields and communities.”

Gokce, a biochemistry major, said the award reflects the mentorship and opportunities she has received at MTSU and reinforces her commitment to combining scientific research with patient care.

“Receiving the Pioneer Award is an incredibly meaningful honor,” Gokce said. “It represents not just individual achievement, but the culmination of the mentorship, opportunities, and community I’ve found at MTSU.”

One of the most impactful experiences of Gokce’s undergraduate career was presenting her research at the National Conference on Undergraduate Research. The opportunity to connect with undergraduate researchers from across the country broadened her perspective on what is possible in undergraduate research and strengthened her interest in the intersection of chemistry and medicine.

“This award affirms that the balance I’ve tried to strike between rigorous scientific training and genuine service to my campus community is meaningful,” Gokce said. “It motivates me to keep pushing toward a career where I can unite research and patient care.”

Parker, a music major, said her experiences at MTSU have shaped both her academic interests and her plans to pursue a career in medicine. Studying music has exposed her to a wide range of subjects and introduced her to people whose experiences have deepened her passion for musicians’ health.

“The knowledge I have gained from meeting so many people and studying such a wide range of subjects has deepened my passion for musicians’ health and inspired me to pursue medicine after graduation,” Parker said.

Parker said the discipline required of a music student has also influenced how she approaches her academic work.

“It has taught me to pay close attention to the smallest details and to be disciplined in my pursuit of excellence in both academics and performance,” she said. “This award represents recognition of the many hours I have spent hidden away in a practice room or study space, and it is incredibly meaningful to see that work acknowledged.”

Gokce and Parker were selected through a competitive process that considers academic achievement, leadership potential, and campus involvement.

Founded in 1897, Phi Kappa Phi recognizes and encourages superior scholarship across academic disciplines. Membership is by invitation only and is extended to the top students at member institutions. For more information about Phi Kappa Phi Chapter 246 at MTSU, visit pkp.mtsu.edu.

— Robin E. Lee ([email protected])