The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi Announces Inaugural Pioneer Award Recipients

Baton Rouge, LA (08/22/2023) — The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi-the nation's oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines-today announced the recipients of a 2023 Pioneer Award. The $1,000 awards were given to 50 Phi Kappa Phi members nationwide.

The Pioneer Awards, in its inaugural year, are designed to encourage and reward undergraduate members for developing the research, engagement and leadership skills necessary to become a successful scholar.

"It is a pleasure to recognize our inaugural cohort of 50 Pioneer Award winners this year. This new award focuses on supporting opportunities for our undergraduate scholars during this critical phase of their academic journey," said Society Executive Director and CEO, Bradley R. Newcomer. "It is our hope that this award program will continue to grow and allow Phi Kappa Phi to deepen our support of academic excellence and service to others across all academic disciplines well into the future."

The selection process for a Pioneer Award is based on the applicant's academic achievement, honors and awards, relevant research experience, service and leadership experience, on and off campus, a personal statement and letter of recommendation.

The Pioneer Award is the newest addition to the Society's robust portfolio of award and grant programs, which gives $1.3 million each year to outstanding students and members through graduate and dissertation fellowships, funding for post-baccalaureate development, and grants for local, national and international literacy initiatives. Phi Kappa Phi is proud to offer an award exclusively for undergraduates and this program is a welcome addition to the Society's portfolio.

For the complete list of recipients, visit www.PhiKappaPhi.org/2023Pioneer. The application process for the 2024 Pioneer Awards will open on Dec. 15, 2023.

About Phi Kappa Phi

Founded in 1897, Phi Kappa Phi is the nation's oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines. Phi Kappa Phi inducts approximately 25,000 students, faculty, professional staff and alumni annually. The Society has chapters on more than 325 select colleges and universities in the United States, its territories and the Philippines. Membership is by invitation only to the top 10 percent of seniors and graduate students and 7.5 percent of juniors. Faculty, professional staff and alumni who have achieved scholarly distinction also qualify. The Society's mission is "To recognize and promote academic excellence in all fields of higher education and engage the community of scholars in service to others." For more information, visit www.PhiKappaPhi.org.