SHU Initiates First Phi Kappa Phi Cohort

Membership comprises 191 students committed to academic excellence and service

Sacred Heart University recently initiated its first cohort of 191 students into the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi.

Phi Kappa Phi is the nation’s oldest and most selective all-discipline honor society. Its mission is to recognize and promote academic excellence in all fields of higher education and to engage the community of scholars in service to others.

Undergraduate students in any college or university department are eligible if they rank academically in the upper 7.5% of their class after completing 72 semester hours in their junior year, rank academically in the upper 10% of their class after completing 90 semester hours in their senior year and have no violations regarding academic integrity or code of conduct.

Graduate students are eligible if they have completed at least 18 semester hours, rank academically in the upper 10% of their class and have no violations regarding academic integrity or code of conduct. Faculty, professional staff and alumni who achieve scholarly distinction may also be eligible.

“We proudly inducted 191 exceptional students from diverse academic disciplines across all colleges into the Sacred Heart University chapter of the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi,” said Christina Gunther, SHU’s chapter president and assistant professor in the health science program. “These outstanding individuals have demonstrated remarkable dedication to scholarship and service, which are at the heart of the SHU and Phi Kappa Phi missions.”

U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal sent in a video message. He commended students for their dedication to service and giving. “It is not just academic excellence that we acknowledge; we acknowledge those who provide service and give to others. Thank you for showing commitment to your future and the future of others,” he said.

John Breunig, editorial page editor at Hearst Connecticut Media Group, spoke about the importance of service and empathy. He urged students to be seekers, empathize with others and start conversations.

“I do believe empathy can be learned. But like math or the date of historic battles, it can also be forgotten,” Breunig said. “And like anything worthwhile, it will always require a little work.”

Some faculty, staff and guests also were initiated into the honor society. They included Breunig; Mel Horton, dean of the Isabelle Farrington College of Education & Human Development; Amanda Moras, associate provost for teaching & learning; Maurice Nelson, chief diversity & inclusion officer, and the Rev. Sara D. Smith, SHU Protestant chaplain.