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Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society

Local Students Awarded Phi Kappa Phi Pioneer Award

The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi — the nation's oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines — is proud to announce the recipients of a 2026 Pioneer Award. The $1,000 grants were awarded to 50 students across the nation.

The Pioneer Awards are designed to encourage and reward undergraduate members for developing the research, engagement and leadership skills necessary to become a successful scholar.

Recipients from University of South Alabama include:

Bailey Baxter photo           Mary Helene photo
Bailey Baxter   Mary Helene Marmande

 

The selection process for a Pioneer Award is based on the applicant’s academic achievement, honors and awards, relevant research experience, service and leadership experience, on and off campus, a personal statement and letter of recommendation.

The Pioneer Award, established in 2022, is the newest addition to the Society’s robust portfolio of award and grant programs, which currently gives more than $1 million each year to outstanding students and members through graduate and dissertation fellowships, funding for post-baccalaureate development, and grants for local, national and international literacy initiatives. Phi Kappa Phi is proud to offer an award exclusively for undergraduates through this program.

To see the complete list of 2026 Phi Kappa Phi Fellows, visit www.PhiKappaPhi.org/2026PioneerAward.

Paul Nguyen photoCongratulations to Paul Nguyen for receiving Phi Kappa Phi Fellowship

Paul Nguyen Awarded $8,500 Phi Kappa Phi Fellowship

Paul Nguyen of Hillsboro, Oregon, has been awarded a Fellowship worth $8,500 by The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi—the nation's oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines. Nguyen is one of 40 recipients nationwide to receive a Phi Kappa Phi Fellowship.

Nguyen received a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering from the University of South Alabama. As a Phi Kappa Phi Fellow, Nguyen will pursue a Ph.D. in chemical and biomolecular engineering at the University of Pennsylvania.

Since its creation in 1932, the Fellowship Program has become one of the Society's most visible and financially well-supported endeavors. This year’s program awarded two awards at $35,000 each, the 1897 Fellowship and the Sherrill Carlson Fellowship; six $15,000 Marcus L. Urann Fellowships, named for the Society’s founder; and 40 fellowships of $8,500 each.

The selection process for a fellowship is based on the applicant's evidence of graduate potential, undergraduate academic achievement, service and leadership experience, letters of recommendation, personal statement of educational perspective and career goals, and acceptance in an approved graduate or professional program.

Phi Kappa Phi Fellowships are part of the Society’s robust portfolio of award and grant programs, which gives more than $1 million each year to outstanding members and students on chapter campuses through study abroad grants, graduate fellowships, funding for post-baccalaureate development, member and chapter awards, and grants for local, national and international literacy initiatives.

To see the complete list of 2026 Phi Kappa Phi Fellows, visit www.PhiKappaPhi.org/2026Fellowships.

Local Students Awarded Phi Kappa Phi Study Abroad Grant

The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation’s oldest and most selective all-discipline collegiate honor society, today announced the recipients of a 2026 Phi Kappa Phi Study Abroad Grant. The $1,000 grants were awarded to 75 students across the nation.

The grants are designed to support undergraduates, both members and nonmembers from campuses that have Phi Kappa Phi chapters, as they seek expanded knowledge and experience in their academic fields by studying abroad.

Recipients from University of South Alabama include:

Ashley Jennings of Gulf Shores, Alabama, a sophomore majoring in nursing at University of South Alabama will study abroad in Athens, Greece.

Mary Helene Marmande of Mobile, Alabama, a junior majoring in chemistry at University of South Alabama will study abroad in Nagoya, Japan.

Matthew Laub of Front Royal, Virginia, a senior majoring in criminal justice at University of South Alabama will study abroad in United Kingdom.

The selection process for a study abroad grant is based on the applicant’s academic achievement, campus and community service, relation of travel to academic preparation and career goals, a personal statement, letters of recommendation, and acceptance into a study abroad program. Each recipient receives $1,000 to be applied toward travel abroad.

Established in 2001, the Study Abroad Grant Program is part of the Society’s robust portfolio of award and grant programs, which currently gives more than $1 million each year to outstanding students and members through graduate and dissertation fellowships, funding for post-baccalaureate development, and grants for local, national and international literacy initiatives.

To see the complete list of 2026 Phi Kappa Phi Fellows, visit www.PhiKappaPhi.org/2026 Study Abroad

"Let the love of learning rule humanity."

Phi Kappa Phi Chapter #194

Phi Kappa Phi was born different. In 1897, 10 senior students, 2 faculty members and the University of Maine president created a new kind of honor society, one that recognized excellence in all academic disciplines. Under the leadership of student Marcus L. Urann, the group formed the Lambda Sigma Eta Society, later renamed Phi Kappa Phi from the letters of the Greek words forming its motto, Philosophìa Krateìto Photôn, "Let the love of learning rule humanity." Today, Phi Kappa Phi recognizes and promotes academic excellence in all fields of higher education and engages the community of scholars in service to others.

 

 Learn more about joining Phi Kappa Phi at USA.