Dillard University joins the FICO Educational Analytics Challenge for Spring semester, along with returning institutions Drake State Community & Technical College, North Carolina Central University, and Fayetteville State University

BOZEMAN, Mont. – February 2, 2026 – FICO (NYSE: FICO)

Global analytics software leader FICO today announced the continuation of its FICO® Educational Analytics Challenge for the Spring 2026 semester. Building on a successful Fall term in the program’s third year, FICO welcomes Dillard University as a new participating Historically Black College and University (HBCU) to the program. With this addition, the program has partnered with eight HBCUs since its launch – including Bowie State University, Delaware State University, Morehouse College, Alabama A&M University, Drake State Community & Technical College, North Carolina Central University, Fayetteville State University, and Dillard University – and continues to advance FICO’s mission to foster the next generation of data scientists nationwide.

“We have witnessed the Analytics Challenge serving as a primary influence for many of our students to continue their education by applying for master programs,” said Dr. Mingxian Jin, professor in computer science at Fayetteville State University. “The program is empowering for our students who want to deepen their AI experience in preparation for their future careers. By working alongside industry experts, this partnership enables our students learn real-world AI applications, helping to build the skills and confidence needed for careers in data science.”

The semester-long program brings together students with data science, engineering, and technology backgrounds to apply data science and AI to real business problems. The current challenge focus enables student participants to deepen their understanding of how AI language models and chatbots used by financial institutions are developed and trained, including exposure to FICO’s focused language model approach. The program is led by FICO’s Chief Analytics Officer, Dr. Scott Zoldi, and the analytics team of industry data scientists. The team combines weekly lectures with hands-on mentorship throughout the semester.

“The Analytics Challenge program provides students the opportunity to learn how industry data scientists use AI—how they work with data, create models, and ultimately realize the value of AI,” said Dr. Zoldi. “We’re proud to support students at the university level and serve as mentors ahead of their careers and to provide this industry real world experience. As AI becomes more deeply embedded in the workforce, understanding how to create impact responsibly and ethically will be a much desired technical skill.”

The program allows students with data science, computer science, engineering, and technology backgrounds to improve their AI skills. In addition to academic instruction, the program provides financial support to enhance analytics education at each participating university and offers career resources to help students. FICO career resources include analytics internship opportunities, as well as best general practices for resumes and interviews. FICO is a proud participant in the HBCU Partnership Challenge, an initiative of the Bipartisan Historically Black Colleges and Universities Caucus, led by Congresswoman Alma Adams and Congressman French Hill.

To learn more about the FICO Educational Analytics Challenge, including how to get involved, visit: FICO’s Educational Analytics Challenge | FICO

About FICO

FICO (NYSE: FICO) powers decisions that help people and businesses around the world prosper. Founded in 1956, the company is a pioneer in the use of predictive analytics and data science to improve operational decisions. FICO holds more than 200 U.S. and foreign patents on technologies that increase profitability, customer satisfaction, and growth for businesses in financial services, insurance, telecommunications, health care, retail, and many other industries. Using FICO solutions, businesses in more than 80 countries protect four billion payment cards from fraud, improve financial inclusion, and increase supply chain resiliency. The FICO® Score, used by 90% of top U.S. lenders, is the standard measure of consumer credit risk in the United States and is available in more than 40 countries worldwide.

Learn more at https://www.fico.com/en.

Join the conversation at https://x.com/FICO_corp & https://www.fico.com/blogs/

For FICO news and media resources, visit https://www.fico.com/en/newsroom.

FICO is a registered trademark of Fair Isaac Corporation in the U.S. and other countries.

Contact
press@fico.com

The scholarship provides financial support, travel-based learning opportunities, and access to a global network of leaders, for 100 students pursuing careers in public service.

CHICAGO – The Obama Foundation yesterday opened applications for the 2026-2028 Obama-Chesky Voyager Scholarship for Public Service. Funded by a $100 million contribution from Airbnb CEO and Co-Founder Brian Chesky, the scholarship provides college students with demonstrated financial need a last-dollar scholarship to help alleviate the burden of college debt, meaningful travel experiences and opportunities to connect with new communities, and access to a network of mentors and leaders to support them throughout their careers. The scholarship helps students refine their values-based leadership approach, build bridges across communities, and nurture their sense of curiosity as they deepen their commitment to pursuing public service careers.

“Ordinary people have the potential to do extraordinary things — and this scholarship is helping hundreds of young people prepare to change the world,” said Valerie Jarrett, CEO of The Obama Foundation. “We are so excited to empower and support another group of students as they pursue their passions and purpose to create positive change through impactful experiences here in the U.S. and around the world.”

As the program prepares to welcome its fifth class of Voyagers, it continues to reflect The Obama Foundation and Chesky’s dedication to empowering young leaders to bridge divides and redefine what is possible through public service. Since it first launched in 2022, 400 students have received the scholarship, which includes up to $50,000 in scholarship funding and the opportunity to pursue a summer work-travel experience, or “Summer Voyage,” between their junior and senior years of college. Through a curriculum created by The Obama Foundation, students design their own Summer Voyage to gain exposure to new communities and deepen their experience in their chosen public service field. During their Summer Voyages, students participate in internships, volunteer experiences, and research opportunities to gain a deeper understanding of the issues they care about most and the public service path they will pursue after they graduate. Last summer, the 2024-2026 cohort of Voyagers traveled to 61 countries and 24 U.S. states and territories.

Learn more about the fourth cohort of Voyager Scholarship recipients here.

The application deadline for the 2026-2028 Voyager Scholarship is March 17, 2026, at 11:59 PM United States Central Time (UTC-6). The Obama Foundation will award the scholarship to 100 students from colleges and universities across the United States and its territories. Voyager Scholarship for Public Service recipients receive:

• Up to $50,000 in financial aid: Students will receive up to $25,000 per year in “last dollar” financial aid for their junior and senior years of college. This financial aid helps alleviate the burden of college debt so that students can afford to pursue a career in public service after graduation.
• Summer Voyage: Students will receive a $10,000 stipend and free housing in Airbnb listings (up to $4,200) to pursue a summer work-travel experience between their junior and senior year of college.
• 10-year Travel Stipend: After graduation, Airbnb will provide the students with $2,000 in Airbnb credit every year for 10 years, a total of $20,000. This allows students to continue to travel and grow their expertise and forge new connections throughout their public service careers.
• Monthly Virtual Sessions: Students must participate in monthly virtual programming sessions, including speaker series and mentorship roundtables, Summer Voyage design workshops, and Summer Voyage coaching sessions, to continue to sharpen and build their own leadership approach for their own public service path.
• Fall Summit: During their junior year, Voyagers have the option to attend an in-person convening where they engage in community-building activities with fellow Voyagers, build their leadership skills, and learn from leaders in public service.
• Network of Leaders: Throughout the program, students have access to a network of leaders and mentors from The Obama Foundation network. This network provides students with a helpful support system as they navigate their future public service careers. After graduation, students join The Obama Foundation’s global community of alumni, and can access ongoing resources and programming to enhance their changemaking work.

For more information about the Voyager Scholarship, including the application process and answers to frequently asked questions, visit voyager-scholarship.obama.org.

Interested applicants can also learn more by attending an upcoming virtual information session hosted by The Obama Foundation in February and March. These sessions will provide an overview of the Voyager Scholarship and walk attendees through eligibility requirements and the application process. Register to attend any of the below virtual information sessions here:

• Tuesday, February 10, 5–6 p.m. ET
• Thursday, February 19, 3–4 p.m. ET
• Wednesday, February 25, 12–1 p.m. ET
• Friday, March 6, 12–1 p.m. ET
• Tuesday, March 10, 6–7 p.m. ET

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Contact
Emily Bittner
press@obama.org

AUSTIN, Minn., Jan. 21, 2026 - College seniors and recent graduates looking to make their office a 26-foot-long peanut on wheels have until Valentine’s Day to apply for one of the most unique roles in the marketing world.

The PLANTERS^® brand is officially seeking its next class of “Peanutters,” brand ambassadors to pilot the iconic NUTmobile across the country starting in June 2026. The year-long program offers three adventurous applicants a chance to run a “rolling public relations firm,” covering over 20,000 miles and 46 states annually.

For new grads, the position offers a competitive alternative to entry-level office life. Peanutters receive a full-time salary, benefits and travel stipends while gaining high-level experience in content creation, media relations and experiential marketing.

The role also serves as a pipeline for long-term careers; upon completion of the tour, Peanutters are eligible to apply for full-time positions at Hormel Foods, the parent company of the PLANTERS^® brand.

“Trading my cap and gown for the keys to a 26-foot peanut was the best career move I could have made,” said Aria Conte, also known as “Almond Aria” until June 2026, after which she’ll transition to working at Hormel Foods. “The NUTmobile program offers real-life immersion into media relations and grassroots marketing. It’s a high-impact experience that I think is rare at the start of a career. If you’re seeking a unique blend of adventure and professional development, I highly recommend applying.”

What the Role Entails

The job description goes far beyond driving. Peanutters act as the primary face of the brand, representing MR. PEANUT^® in local television and radio interviews, managing social media channels and coordinating appearances at major festivals, parades and community events. Last year’s class interacted with more than 160,000 people.

Who Should Apply?

The brand is specifically looking for adventurous college graduates with a knack for storytelling and, naturally, a love of nut-based puns. Ideal candidates are:

• College graduates (BA or BS required).
• Charismatic presenters comfortable with media interviews.
• Creative content creators proficient in social media.
• Travel enthusiasts ready for a year on the road.

How to Apply

Applications are being accepted through Feb. 14, 2026, at BeAPeanutter.com. Prospective Peanutters must submit a resume and a short video highlighting their personality and humor. The selection process is famously competitive, as the brand looks for a “nutty” squad capable of handling the logistical challenges of cross-country travel while maintaining the brand’s high-energy public persona.

About the PLANTERS^® Brand

Founded in 1906 in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, the PLANTERS^® brand has been the ultimate snacking solution for consumers for over a century with a vast portfolio of peanuts, snackable nut mixes, seeds, and so much more. No matter what you’re craving — salted, unsalted, dry roasted, honey roasted, whole nuts, half nuts, peanuts, mixed nuts — PLANTERS^® products have you covered. The PLANTERS^® brand, which has been owned by Hormel Foods Corporation (NYSE: HRL) since 2021, is also home to the beloved MR. PEANUT^® character, who is currently touring the salty streets of America in his world-famous NUTmobile. Fans of the PLANTERS^® brand can request the world’s largest peanut on wheels by submitting a request at plantersnutmobile.com. For more information on all PLANTERS^® products, visit planters.com.

About Hormel Foods – Inspired People. Inspired Food.™

Hormel Foods Corporation, based in Austin, Minnesota, is a global branded food company with approximately $12 billion in annual revenue. Its brands include PLANTERS^®, SKIPPY^®, SPAM^®, HORMEL^® NATURAL CHOICE^®, APPLEGATE^®, WHOLLY^®, HORMEL^® BLACK LABEL^®, COLUMBUS^®, JENNIE-O^® and more than 30 other beloved brands. The company is a member of the S&P 500 Index and the S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats, was named one of the best companies to work for by U.S. News & World Report, one of America’s most responsible companies by Newsweek, recognized by TIME magazine as one of the World’s Best Companies and has received numerous other awards and accolades for its corporate responsibility and community service efforts. The company lives by its purpose statement — Inspired People. Inspired Food.™ — to bring some of the world’s most trusted and iconic brands to tables across the globe. For more information, visit hormelfoods.com.

About the NUTmobile

Owned by Hormel Foods, the NUTmobile is a 26-foot-long, 11-foot-tall promotional vehicle. It serves as a mobile hub for the 120-year-old PLANTERS^® brand, which has been a staple of American snacking since its founding in 1906.

Contact

Media Relations
Hormel Foods
media@hormel.com

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The Partnership Celebrates Star Trek: Starfleet Academy Premiere and the Franchise’s 60th Anniversary

NEW YORK, NY – DoSomething, the nation’s hub for youth-centered leadership and service, is partnering with “Star Trek,” Star Trek: Starfleet Academy, and Paramount+ to equip  young people across the country to take action for the planet through Boldly Go Green, a multi-city environmental campaign launching in January 2026.

The partnership celebrates the 60th anniversary of “Star Trek,” one of the world’s most enduring franchises built on exploration, optimism, and a vision for a better future, alongside the upcoming January 15, 2026 premiere of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy, which follows a new generation of cadets as they train to become the leaders of tomorrow.

On Saturday, January 24, 2026, thousands of young people nationwide will take part in climate-focused service missions inspired by the values central to Starfleet Academy – courage, curiosity, leadership, and a commitment to building a more just and sustainable galaxy.

Two flagship events will anchor the national effort – one in Los Angeles hosted by the Paramount team and one in New York City hosted by DoSomething. Young people across the country will also have the opportunity to host or join community-led events in their own neighborhoods, earn volunteer credits and be eligible for a $1,500 scholarship.

Wherever they are, young people are invited to show up, give back, and Boldly Go Green through one of three mission-themed volunteer actions designed to generate measurable environmental impact. The first mission, Green Up Your Community, invites participants to join or lead a tree planting and reforestation event with a step-by-step guide to support planning and participation. The second mission, Give Your Clothes a Second Life, focuses on reducing textile waste by encouraging young people to host or attend an upcycling clothing drive that transforms old garments into fresh, sustainable looks. The third mission, Give Warmth & Comfort, supports local animal shelters by collecting upcycled blankets and towels to provide warmth, care, and essential comfort for animals in need.

“Star Trek has always encouraged us to imagine a future grounded in exploration, empathy, and the courage to take action. Boldly Go Green brings those values to life in communities across the country and gives young people the tools they need to lead,” said DeNora Geatchew, CEO of DoSomething. “We’re proud to partner on a campaign that doesn’t just celebrate Starfleet Academy’s next generation of leaders, but empowers real-world young leaders to create meaningful environmental change in their communities.”

For six decades, “Star Trek” has inspired generations through stories that challenge assumptions and invite viewers to envision a brighter tomorrow. Star Trek: Starfleet Academy, premiering January 15, 2026, continues that legacy by following an ambitious class of cadets as they navigate intense training, complex relationships, and high-stakes missions that shape them into the leaders of the future.

WATCH THE OFFICIAL STARFLEET ACADEMY TRAILER HERE: https://www.youtube.com/embed/rHDDzcyNWGs

DoSomething, with millions of young members worldwide, equips youth to pursue measurable impact on the issues they care about most. Through Boldly Go Green, the organization is inviting young people ages 13-25 to turn their passion into real-world environmental action. Participants can sign up, select a mission, and access event-hosting toolkits at https://dosomething.org/action/boldly-go-green.

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CONTACT: madison@unbendablemedia.com

Nationwide Cleanup Initiative Offers Participating Students The Chance To Earn Scholarships While Cleaning Up Their Communities

DoSomething, the leading digital hub for youth-centered impact and service, has launched its new ‘Street Sweeps’ program, a nationwide initiative to mobilize young people across the U.S. to get out into their communities with their friends and neighbors and friends to clean up their streets, parks, beaches, and rivers—and keep pollution and litter out of communities.

With cleanup events hosted from New York to California, Street Sweeps aims to equip youth—regardless of where they live—to take action to protect our planet from urgent environmental issues, such as pollution. According to recent studies, plastic production is on course to triple by 2060, but less than 10% of it is recycled, and around 8,000 megatons now pollute the planet. This pollution and trash cumulates on our streets and sidewalks in our communities before making their way to major bodies of water.

DoSomething provides participants with a step-by-step toolkit to help them organize or join a cleanup. Their impact is visualized on an interactive national map hosted on DoSomething’s website – and will be offered the chance to win one of two $500 scholarships and learn volunteer credits.

So far Street Sweeps have been hosted in Oakland, Brooklyn, the Bronx, San Diego, Manhattan, Dallas, Houston,  and more.

FIND OR HOST A DOSOMETHING ‘STREET SWEEP’ HERE: https://dosomething.org/event/street-sweep

Young people across the U.S. are also invited to join Ripple Effect, a campaign by DoSomething that encourages teens and young adults to craft and share a public-service announcement (PSA) promoting proper trash disposal and protecting local waterways. Participants who submit their PSA by November 30, 2025 will not only raise vital awareness of how litter flows from neighborhood storm drains into rivers and oceans but also become eligible for a $250 scholarship.

Street Sweeps is part of DoSomething’s No Planet B campaign, an initiative that educates and equips young people to do their part to protect our planet and create meaningful global impact through accessible and tangible actions, including local environmental actions such as recycling and protecting waterways and watersheds. The program empowers participants to lead and contribute to sustainability efforts in their own neighborhoods.

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DoSomething.org is the leading digital hub for youth-centered impact and service with over 1 million active members and a 32-year legacy of activating over 8 million young people in every U.S. area code and 189 countries to take action. We fuel young people to change the world. We specialize in transforming civically curious young people into civically committed leaders. Our actions and programs educate and equip young people, ages 13 to 25, to build solutions to the issues that matter most to them. DoSomething has registered 425,000 young people to vote since 2018 and awarded nearly $2 million in scholarships to young people committed to doing good in their communities since 2010.\

CONTACT: Marcia Rabinoff | marcia@unbendablemedia.com

Michael Martin, associate professor of English, modern languages, and cultural studies at Nicholls State University, has been selected by The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi—the nation’s oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines—as the recipient of the Phi Kappa Phi Mary Todd Sabbatical Award.

The $50,000 Sabbatical Award, named for former Society Executive Director, Dr. Mary Todd, honors one faculty member to support a sabbatical year or similar reassignments of duties. Martin plans to use the award funds as a reassignment of duties, providing release time from his teaching responsibilities so he can complete his book on Cherokee culture and beliefs.

“This Sabbatical has granted me the change to revise what I hope is a groundbreaking monograph on Cherokee oral literature, place, and cultural memory,” said Martin.

The selection process for the Mary Todd Sabbatical Award is based on an applicant letter addressing the significance of the proposed research or other scholarly project and the relevance of the proposed activity in contributing to Phi Kappa Phi’s mission to cultivate a community that celebrates and advances the love of learning. The awardee is selected by a juried competition.

“We are honored to present Dr. Martin with this year’s Sabbatical Award,” said Society Executive Director and CEO Dr. Bradley R. Newcomer. “His unwavering commitment to scholarship and service reflects the heart of Phi Kappa Phi’s mission. We commend his perseverance and look forward to the meaningful impact of his research.”

The Sabbatical Award is one of the newest additions to the Society’s robust portfolio of award and grant programs, which gives more than $1 million each year to outstanding students and members through graduate and dissertation fellowships, funding for undergraduate and post-baccalaureate development, and grants for local, national and international literacy initiatives.

To learn more about the Society’s award programs, visit www.phikappaphi.org/awards. The application process for the 2026 Sabbatical Award will open in August 2026.

About Phi Kappa Phi
Founded in 1897, Phi Kappa Phi is the nation’s oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines. Phi Kappa Phi inducts approximately 20,000 students, faculty, professional staff and alumni annually. The Society has chapters on more than 300 select colleges and universities in the United States, its territories and the Philippines. Membership is by invitation only to the top 10 percent of seniors and graduate students and 7.5 percent of juniors. Faculty, professional staff and alumni who have achieved scholarly distinction also qualify. The Society’s mission is to “cultivate a community that celebrates and advances the love of learning.”  For more information, visit www.PhiKappaPhi.org.

Media Contact
Alyssa Papa
Communications Director
apapa@phikappaphi.org
225-923-7777

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Shocking importance to the entertainment field electrifies fascinated publishing and public via it’s perfection. Vehement discussion defining the delineation of Jazz form and function of great superstructures euphorically delightful for ones editing the dramatic thunderbolts of unequaled daring  combinations and permutations.  Douglas Cornish…

Also check out www.lordcornish.com to know what  thinking Dieties were made of in Ancient Rome! Also, what is life after death?

Obsessed with death?  READ THEM, AND FORGET YOUR TROUBLES!

Engagement delivers career-ready skills and experiences, plus opportunities for rewards and recognition

WHO: Ellucian, the leading higher education technology solutions provider, invites students from colleges and universities across North America to join EnlightenED, the Ellucian Student Ambassador Community, now 700+ members strong.

WHAT:  Be part of a growing student ambassador network that gives you a direct voice in shaping campus technology while helping you build career-ready skills through:

• Product feedback and advisory opportunities
• Speaking and publishing experiences
• Leadership and content creation
• Career development and networking

WHEN: Applications are open now for the 2025/2026 program year.

WHERE: The program is hosted virtually through Ellucian’s EnlightenED online community, connecting students nationwide.

WHY: Only 26% of students say they’re fully satisfied with their institution’s digital tools — yet 92% expect everything they need to be accessible in one place. Your voice matters.

Join EnlightenED to help colleges and universities create better student experiences — and gain valuable professional experience in the process. In addition, engagement with EnlightenED provides opportunities to earn rewards and recognition.

HOW TO APPLY:  Visit ellucian.com/enlightened to learn more and apply today.

ABOUT ELLUCIAN

Ellucian powers innovation for higher education, partnering with more than 2,800 customers across 50 countries, serving 20 million students. Ellucian’s AI-powered platform, trained on the richest dataset available in higher education, drives efficiency, personalized experiences, and strengthened engagement for all students, faculty and staff. Fueled by decades of experience with a singular focus on the unique needs of learning institutions, the Ellucian platform features best-in-class SaaS capabilities and delivers insights needed now and into the future. These solutions and services span the entire student lifecycle, including data-rich tools for student recruitment, enrolment, and retention to workforce analytics, fundraising, and alumni engagement. Ellucian’s innovative solutions, vast ecosystem of partners and user community of more than 45,000 provides best practices leading to greater institutional success and achieving better student outcomes.

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MEDIA CONTACTS

Lindsay Stanley, VP, Corporate Communications & PR
Lindsay.Stanley@Ellucian.com

Jess Weston, Manager, Communications
Jess.Weston@Ellucian.com

Program will recognize promising Architecture, Engineering, Construction, AI and Software Engineering students with scholarships to cover tuition, books and other essential academic resources

MIAMI, FL (November 4, 2025) – Global capital management and advisory firm Consertus today announced the launch of the Consertus Scholarship Program—a new initiative to support underrepresented individuals and nurture a pipeline of talent that reflects the communities they serve.

For its inaugural year, Consertus will award up to $50,000 in scholarships to students who demonstrate leadership, academic excellence and a dedication to advancing diversity within the building industry.

“We’re proud to launch this program as part of our commitment to developing future leaders and expanding access to opportunity,” said Kevin Brown, Chief Human Resources Officer at Consertus. “It’s an important step toward shaping the workforce of tomorrow, and we’re excited to see how it grows and empowers the next generation of innovators.”

To be eligible, an applicant must:

• Plan to enroll as a junior, senior or first-year graduate student at an accredited college/university for the Fall 2026 semester
• Be pursuing a Bachelor’s degree or a 5-year combined Bachelor’s and Master’s degree program in Architecture, Engineering, Construction, Artificial Intelligence or Software Engineering
• Have a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher

The Consertus Scholarship Program application deadline is February 3, 2026. For more information and to begin the online application process, interested students should visit https://www.consertus.com/about/students-internships/.

This program is administered by International Scholarship and Tuition Services Inc., an independent company that specializes in scholarship management for companies, non-profit organizations and other educational assistance sponsors.

About Consertus

Consertus delivers innovative digital, advisory, and delivery solutions that power successful capital programs worldwide. With more than 1,000 professionals across the U.S., Puerto Rico, the U.K., Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and India, Consertus serves clients in transportation, healthcare, energy, utilities, government, and manufacturing, helping them achieve their most critical strategic goals. Learn more at www.consertus.com and follow Consertus on LinkedIn.

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Media Contact

Carissa Willcoxon
Director of Marketing | ISTS
cwillcoxon@applyISTS.com

The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi will install its 364th chapter at Oregon Institute of Technology in Klamath Falls, Oregon, on Oct. 24. Founded in 1897 at the University of Maine, Phi Kappa Phi is the nation’s oldest and most selective all-discipline collegiate honor society recognizing academic excellence.

The installation of the Oregon Institute of Technology chapter comes after a thorough petitioning process, site visit and approval from the Society’s board of directors. To be eligible, an institution must be a regionally accredited four-year college or university with an established reputation of excellence and an expressed commitment to upholding the values of the Society.

“Congratulations to the outstanding students, faculty, and staff establishing the Oregon Institute of Technology chapter of Phi Kappa Phi. Your commitment to academic excellence, leadership, and service reflects the very core of our Society’s values. May this new chapter stand as a beacon of scholarship, integrity, and the pursuit of a better future for all,” said Society Executive Director Dr. Bradley R. Newcomer

Officers elected by the chartering group to serve the newly installed chapter include President Christopher J. Syrnyk, President-elect Christy VanRooyen, Secretary Mary-Jane Owen, and Treasurer Pake Melland.

Phi Kappa Phi was founded when Marcus L. Urann had a desire to create a different kind of honor society—one that recognized excellence in all academic disciplines. Today, the Society has chapters on more than 300 select campuses in the United States and its territories and inducts approximately 20,000 new members each year. Membership is by invitation only to the top 7.5 percent of juniors and the top 10 percent of seniors and graduate students, along with faculty, professional staff and alumni who have achieved scholarly distinction.

About Phi Kappa Phi

Founded in 1897 at the University of Maine, Phi Kappa Phi is the nation’s oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines. The Society’s mission is to “cultivate a community that celebrates and advances the love of learning.” Since its founding, more than 1.75 million members have been initiated. Some of the organization’s more notable members include former President Jimmy Carter, NASA astronaut Wendy Lawrence, novelist John Grisham and YouTube cofounder Chad Hurley. Each year, Phi Kappa Phi awards more than $1 million to qualifying students and members through graduate fellowships, undergraduate study abroad grants, member and chapter awards, and grants for local and national literacy initiatives. For more information about Phi Kappa Phi, visit www.PhiKappaPhi.org.

Media Contact

Alyssa Papa
Communications Director
apapa@phikappaphi.org
225-923-7777