About Us
National:
Phi Kappa Phi was born in 1897 at the University of Maine president, 10 senior students and 2 faculty members created an honor society that recognized excellence in all academic disciplines.
It was first named Lambda Sigma Eta Society but later renamed Phi Kappa Phi from the letters of the Greek words that formed the Society’s motto, Philosophìa Krateìto Photôn, “Let the love of learning rule humanity.”
Phi Kappa Phi at FHSU:
A local chapter was organized at Fort Hays Kansas State College in 1937. The faculty of the college had long recognized the desirability of honoring students of exceptional academic achievement and took steps to establish what was called the Fort Hays Kansas State College Honor Society.
The local chapter’s national affiliation was delayed because of the war and it was not until January of 1954 that the national chapter of Phi Kappa Phi was established on campus.
On January 27, 1954, 28 faculty members were initiated as charter members of Phi Kappa Phi. At this time, the only other Kansas chapter was located at Kansas State University in Manhattan.
Phi Kappa Phi members in 1954
PKP-FHSU Chapter Past Presidents:
- Pamela Shaffer: 2004-2006
- Harriet Caplan: 2003-2004
- John Ross: 2002-2003
- Jean Gleichsner: 2001-2002
- Christiane Luehrs: 2000-2001
- James Hohman: 1999-2000
- Josephine Squires: 1998-1999
- Louis Caplan: 1997-1998
- Evelyn Toft: 1996-1997
- Ervin Elize: 1995-1996
- Jean Salien: 1994-1995
- Nancy Vogel: 1993-1994
- Gerry Cox: 1992-1993
- Ruth Firestone: 1991-1992
- Herb Songer: 1990-1991
- Bob Chalender: 1989-1990
- Charles Votaw: 1988-1989
- Dan Rupp: 1987-1988
- Pat Baconrind: 1986-1987
- James Stansbury: 1985-1986
- Charles Wilhelm: 1984-1985
- James Forsythe: 1983-1984
- Ellen Veed: 1982-1983
- Paul Phillips: 1981-1982
- Arris Johnson: 1980-1981
- Bill Jellison: 1979-1980
- Lewis Miller: 1978-1979
- Grace Witt: 1977-1978
- Elton Beougher: 1976-1977
- Marcia Bannister: 1975-1976
- LaVier Staven: 1974-1975
- Martha Dirks: 1973-1974
- Maurice Witten: 1972-1973
- Vivian Baxter: 1971-1972
- Jimmy Rice: 1970-1971
- Esta Lou Riley: 1969-1970
- Max Rumpel: 1968-1969
- Wilda Smith: 1967-1968
- Samuel M. Hamilton: 1966-1967
- Verna M. Parish: 1965-1966
- Myrl V. Walker: 1964-1965
- Margaret van Acheren: 1963-1964
- Standlee V. Dalton: 1962-1963
- Gerald Tomanek: 1961-1962
- Rita M. Landrum: 1960-1961
- Edwin P. Martin: 1959-1960
- Alice Beesley: 1958-1959
- John Garwood: 1957-1958
- Geneva Herndon: 1956-1957
- Harvey A. Zinszer: 1955-1956
- Harold H. Hopkins: 1954-1955
- Dollie B. Thomas: 1954