The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi is the oldest and largest national honor society devoted to the recognition, promotion and encouragement of academic excellence in all fields of higher education.  It was founded in 1897 by a group of ten students at the University of Maine who recognized the need for an honor society based on broader membership criteria than any of the then-current societies.  Faculty sponsors and the students first named it the Lambda Sigma Eta Society but changed the name to the “Morrill Society” shortly thereafter to honor Congressman Justin Smith Morrill of Vermont, who sponsored the act that established land-grant colleges.

It became a national society in 1900 by action of the presidents of the University of Maine, the University of Tennessee and Pennsylvania State College (now Pennsylvania State University), whose campuses established the founding chapters.  The Society was renamed Phi Kappa Phi, from the initial letters of the Greek words forming its adopted motto: Philosophia Krateito Photon, loosely meaning “Let the love of learning rule humanity.”

Election to the Society is by invitation only.  It requires nomination and approval by the California State University – Los Angeles Chapter in accordance with the bylaws of both the chapter and the national society.  Both require superior scholarship and good character as criteria for membership.

For more information, contact the Chapter President.

For more information about The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, please visit the National Website.
 

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