Seventy-three of MTSU’s brightest students are now members of the university’s most prestigious honor society.

Jason Martin, interim dean of the James E. Walker Library, delivered the initiation address at Phi Kappa Phi’s fall 2019 initiation ceremony Tuesday, Nov. 12, in the Student Union Ballroom.

The officers of MTSU’s chapter of Phi Kappa Phi pose with university mascot Lightning at the fall 2019 initiation ceremony Nov. 12 in the Student Union Building. From left, Dr. Philip Phillips, president and member of National Board of Directors; Dr. John Vile, fellowship coordinator and treasurer; Dr. Maria Bachman, president-elect; Gina Logue, secretary and public relations chair; Sandra Campbell, chapter coordinator; Jasmin Laurel, student vice president; Beatriz Dedicatoria, student vice president; Cody Maness, student vice president; and Dr. Dianna Rust, past president. (MTSU photo by Cat Curtis Murphy)

While admitting that we live in a fractured society where isolation is easier than ever, Martin told the scholars that solving the problems of America will have to start with solving the problems of neighborhoods and communities. He said the only way to do that is learn about the people who live near us.

“The challenge then is to go out and learn about your neighbors and work to build the community where we live, whether that’s in the dorms, an apartment complex or one of the new high-density subdivisions that are now being built in Murfreesboro,” Martin said.

Martin’s research interests include leadership, organizational culture, mindfulness, emotional intelligence, productivity, goal setting and achievement. He earned his bachelor’s degree in history and his master’s degree in library science from the University of South Florida. He earned his doctorate in educational leadership from the University of Central Florida.

Psychology major Danny Ponder, a senior from Smithville, Tennessee, said he wants to become a counselor to people with addiction issues. The nontraditional student said joining Phi Kappa Phi means a lot to him.

“It means I’ve worked really hard, and it means that this late in life, I can still do something that’s worthy,” Ponder said.

Murfreesboro native Mark Blackmon, a junior social work major, said he finds it especially prestigious to join Phi Kappa Phi.

“Being able to be with Phi Kappa Phi is special to me knowing past graduates of MTSU and other universities that are also in Phi Kappa Phi (puts me) in good company,” Blackmon said.

Dr. Jason Martin, interim dean of the James E. Walker Library, delivers the keynote address at the fall 2019 initiation ceremony of The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi Nov. 12 in the Student Union Ballroom. (MTSU photo by Cat Curtis Murphy)

Phi Kappa Phi has chapters on more than 300 campuses in the United States, Puerto Rico and the Philippines.

According to www.phikappaphi.org, the honor society was created in 1897 at the University of Maine with a mission “to recognize and promote academic excellence in all fields of higher education and to engage the community of scholars in service to others.”

To be eligible, juniors must have completed at least 72 credit hours, with at least 24 semester hours at their current institution, and rank scholastically in the top 7.5 percent of their class.

Seniors also 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.
Graduate students also must rank in the top 10 percent of their class and have completed at least 18 graduate hours or the equivalent at their institution.

Faculty, professional staff and alumni who have achieved scholarly distinction also may be eligible for membership in the organization. Its motto is “Philosophia Krateito Photon,” which is “Let the love of learning rule humanity” in Greek.

To learn more about joining MTSU’s Phi Kappa Phi chapter, go to its Facebook page at www.facebook.com/pkpmtsu.

For more information, contact Gina Logue, MTSU chapter secretary, at 615-898-5081 or gina.logue@mtsu.edu.

— Gina Logue (gina.logue@mtsu.edu)

Mark Blackmon, left, receives his certificate of induction into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi from Dr. Barbara Turnage, interim associate dean of the College of Behavioral and Health Sciences, at the fall 2019 PKP induction ceremony Nov. 12 in the Student Union Building. (MTSU photo by Cat Curtis Murphy)