Volunteer Spotlight: June J. Pilcher

2016 Nov 2

Name: June J. Pilcher

University: Clemson University

Chapter Position: President

University Position: Alumni Distinguished Professor, Department of Psychology

Years of Service to the Chapter: 2 years

Degree(s)/Discipline: Ph.D., Biopsychology

How did you become involved as a chapter officer? Our chapter needed some help and they asked me. I said yes!

What has your chapter done that has made you proud? Our chapter is working hard to be more visible on campus. We have gotten our student vice presidents more involved in our work, have installed a display cabinet in a prominent area on campus to help show our work, have put announcements in the student newspaper for each initiation, and are working to get current Phi Kappa Phi members on campus more involved in our chapter. But perhaps the best accomplishment so far during my tenure as president is one of our students, Kirin Khan, winning a Marcus L. Urann Fellowship for 2016-2017.

What does Phi Kappa Phi mean to you? Phi Kappa Phi is about academic accomplishment but also about future promise. I love that Phi Kappa Phi means top quality academic performance. Even more important; however, is the promise for a productive and meaningful future. It is so easy in life to drift along and do the minimum or only slightly better than the minimum. For me, Phi Kappa Phi is a sign that we will do more, we will be more.

What do you enjoy most about being a chapter officer? The best part for me has been working with our other chapter officers. We are fortunate to have, Diane Smathers, past national president working with us. Plus, I have been so lucky to have a wonderful secretary, Julia Lusk, when I first started my presidency and our current secretary, Christine Minor, to help me handle the many details of keeping our chapter active. Perhaps, most surprising to me was how much I have also enjoyed working on the Phi Kappa Phi Fellowship Committee and with the Phi Kappa Phi people at the national office. I am looking forward to continuing to work at the national level with others for Phi Kappa Phi.

What advice would you give to a new chapter officer? Do it! It is always hard to fit an additional "service" activity into our already busy lives. But working with Phi Kappa Phi is a great experience. I suspect that like me, you will find yourself surrounded by many wonderful people who also are willing to help and make our Phi Kappa Phi chapters and our national effort a success.

What are your hobbies? I have trained for almost 30 years in a traditional, non-competitive martial art, Karatedo Doshinkan. I consider it as much more than a hobby; it keeps me balanced (most of the time). Plus, I have a wonderful ex-racing greyhound, Cinder, and help Greyhound Crossroads, a greyhound and Spanish Galgo adoption group.

Where are you from? Born in Mississippi, raised in Louisiana. Grew up primarily in Slidell, La.