The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation’s oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines, recently recognized the University of Arkansas at Little Rock chapter of Phi Kappa Phi as a Circle of Excellence Gold Chapter.

The award represents the second-highest commendation a chapter can receive from the organization. It’s given to chapters that exceed expectations in chapter operations and who demonstrate sustainability and vitality as a chapter of Phi Kappa Phi.

The program recognized 108 chapters this year, including 37 with the gold distinction. Phi Kappa Phi currently has chapters on more than 300 select campuses in the United States and the Philippines.

“The Circle of Honor program recognizes Phi Kappa Phi chapters that have gone above and beyond to promote academic excellence on their campuses,” said Phi Kappa Phi Executive Director Mary Todd.

By receiving the Gold distinction, the UA Little Rock chapter is recognized as a thriving organization that holds annual initiations, upholds the Society Bylaws, regularly attends chapter training opportunities, and submits a chapter-endorsed nominee to the Phi Kappa Phi Fellowship Program.

“This is a wonderful honor for our chapters,” said Dr. Jamie Byrne-McCollum, chapter president and professor of mass communication at UA Little Rock. “Our executive council works very hard to provide the best service we can to our student members and to help them get the most from their membership benefits. I am grateful to each member of our team who works to make it all happen. They represent the very best of Phi Kappa Phi.”

UA Little Rock inducted 127 new members into Phi Kappa Phi in 2019. The chapter also received the gold distinction last year.

“We are blessed with a strong executive team comprised of faculty and staff from across the University who work tirelessly to maintain high standards for our Phi Kappa Phi chapter so that we can appropriately honor our best and brightest students from around the university,” Byrne-McCollum said.

Chapters achieving the Circle of Excellence Gold distinction receive a commendation letter from the Society sent to chapter officers and campus administration, a special recognition on the Phi Kappa Phi website, a specially-designed logo for use in chapter communications, and a choice of a $200 cash award or applicable event registration grant.

In the upper right photo, Phi Kappa Alpha Administrative Liaison Linda Stipsky talks with Phi Kappa Alpha Vice President Abbas Al-Wahhamy during the 2019 induction ceremony.