The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi offers a number of opportunities for recognition for accomplishments related to our motto: "Let the love of learning rule humanity."

Please click the links below to find out more about these various opportunities.

Gathright Phi Kappa Phi Dean's Excellence Awards

Phi Kappa Phi has partnered with LAUNCH: National Fellowships to establish lower-division awards that raise the profile of Phi Kappa Phi with potential future members, as well as provides a way for students applying to nationally-competitive awards like the Rhodes or Fulbright to demonstrate a pattern of being recognized with campus-level awards.
 

The Thomas S. Gathright Scholar Award was established in April 1973 by The Association of Former Students in conjunction with Texas A&M's Student Government Association. In spring 2019, the Gathright Award became a collaboration between The Association of Former Students, LAUNCH: Academic Excellence, and the Texas A&M chapter of Phi Kappa Phi.

Freshman and sophomore Gathright Awards are now made through the Dean's Excellence Award process and presented at a fall ceremony. The junior award has been merged with the Phi Kappa Phi Outstanding Junior award and is presented at an annual induction ceremony each spring.

Selection for the Gathright Award is based on an evaluation of research and/or creative production, community engagement, accomplishments/awards, and academic record, with the final selection criteria determined by the dean of each respective college. Application requirements are modeled on what is required for nationally-competitive awards and ask students to provide context and attribute meaning to their involvement and accomplishments rather than just list them in a resume. The application consists of one page for each of the following: personal statement, research and/or creative production, community engagement, accomplishments/awards. Students are also asked for an unofficial transcript and two letters of recommendation from faculty members. After review by LAUNCH staff and Phi Kappa Phi, deans in each college will select up to two award winners as well as up to two students for honorable mention from each of the freshman and sophomore applicant pools.

See Gathright/Dean's Excellence Awards at LAUNCH: http://tx.ag/DeansExcellenceAwards

Gathright Phi Kappa Phi Outstanding Junior

Each year, the our campus chapter invites deans to select the most outstanding junior in their respective colleges. The students selected are honored as the Outstanding Junior for their college at our spring induction ceremony and are invited to serve as student vice-presidents of our local chapter. From the outstanding juniors in each college, one university outstanding junior is selected and recognized with a scholarship and plaque.

Fellowships

The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi currently awards fifty Fellowships of $8,500 each and two at $35,000 each to members entering the first year of graduate or professional study. Eligible students receive will receive an email invitation to apply. Local review of applications are made each spring and the Texas A&M nominee to the national competition is recognized with a scholarship at our spring induction ceremony.

Study Abroad Grants

Phi Kappa Phi Study Abroad Grants are designed to help support undergraduates as they seek knowledge and experience in their academic fields by studying abroad. Seventy-five $1,000 grants are awarded each year (50 Session A / 25 Session B).

Love of Learning Awards

Love of Learning Awards help fund post-baccalaureate professional development for active Phi Kappa Phi members to include (but not be limited to): Graduate or professional studies, doctoral dissertations, continuing education, career development, travel related to teaching/research/learning, etc. Recipients of the Fellowship award are not eligible to apply. Two hundred awards, at $500 each, are distributed each year.  We offer two application cycles each year, awarding one hundred winners per cycle. 

The competition is open to all active (dues current) Phi Kappa Phi members who:

• Have completed their baccalaureate studies by application submission deadline.
• Have not yet received a Fellowship or Award of Excellence grant.

Literacy Grants

The Literacy Grants program was initiated to mobilize members and resources of Phi Kappa Phi and the higher education community to champion literacy initiatives. Grants of up to $2,500 are available to Phi Kappa Phi chapters and individual members to fund ongoing literacy projects or to create new initiatives. The Society's commitment to the cause of literacy grows out of and is consistent with its mission, which was expanded to include "…and to engage the community of scholars in service to others."

Dissertation Fellowships

The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi annually awards ten Dissertation Fellowships of $10,000 each to active members who are doctoral candidates and are completing dissertations.

The fellowship supports students in the dissertation writing stage of doctoral study. Awards are for 12 months of dissertation writing. All pre-dissertation requirements should be met by the application deadline, including approval of the dissertation proposal.

Ray Sylvester Distinguished Service Award

The Ray Sylvester Distinguished Service Award honors an individual who has provided sustained, non-compensated volunteer service to others beyond the realm of academia. The award recipient receives a $1,000 honorarium, a life membership and a recognition citation. The award is given once per biennium.

Scholar and Artist Awards