Phi Kappa Phi’s Fall Member Showcase Lecture featured Sue Schuerman speaking on “Before the Fall: Strength, Balance, Flexibility and Osteoporsis” on Nov. 14. Schuerman, a physical therapy professor, spoke about ways to safely assess and maintain or improve strength and balance as we age. She also discussed interventions that help protect against disability associated with chronic diseases such as osteoarthritis and osteoporosis and to improve quality of life.

UNLV student Kristin Guthrie has won a national Phi Kappa Phi Love of Learning Award. Love of Learning Awards help fund post-baccalaureate studies and/or career development for active Phi Kappa Phi members to include (but not be limited to): Graduate or professional studies, doctoral dissertations, continuing education, career development, and travel related to teaching/studies.

Kristen Guthrie (right) receiving a 2012 national Phi Kappa Phi Love of Learning award

Congratulations to UNLV Chapter 100 President Rainier Spencer, who has just been named as senior advisor to UNLV President Neal Smatresk. As a member of the President’s Cabinet, Spencer will serve as the president’s liaison to faculty constituencies, the faculty at-large, the Faculty Senate, and the President’s Advisory Council.

The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi-the nation’s oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines recently recognized the University of Nevada, Las Vegas chapter of Phi Kappa Phi as a Chapter of Excellence, the highest commendation a chapter can receive from the organization. The award is given to chapters that excel in recognizing and promoting academic excellence in all fields of higher education and engaging the community of scholars in service to others. “By receiving the Chapter of Excellence distinction, the UNLV chapter is recognized as a thriving organization that meets frequently, holds annual initiations and applies frequently for Phi Kappa Phi’s select scholarships, grants, and fellowships,” said Society Executive Director Mary Todd.

“Although the UNLV chapter has a long and distinguished history, it had never before won the Chapter of Excellence Award,” said Dr. Rainier Spencer, chapter president. “After hosting a meeting in June 2011 with nearby chapters, our Board dedicated the next year to doing everything we could to meet the necessary requirements. We are so proud for our chapter to have won this distinction, and we will strive to continue to clear that bar year in and year out.”

Aug. 9-11, 2012

Partnering for Success and national PKP convention in St. Louis.

The National Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi has awarded a $2,500 literacy grant to UNLV’s Chapter 100 to fund the creation of the Rebel Reading Room at Dean Petersen Professional Development School. The partnership will fund a special environment for Petersen students who are working hard to improve their reading, language, and interaction skills.

The Rebel Reading Room will contain a variety of books, both printed and audio (especially helpful to language learners), and reading tablets so students could have a chance to read magazines and newspapers online and do rudimentary research. “My main idea is to give kids a safe, fun, and environmentally ‘poppin’ space they can explore, read, dream, wonder, and fall in love with learning and literature,” says James Bowen, school librarian.

Petersen Professional Development School is located within a mile of the UNLV campus. About 70 percent of the students enrolled are classified as Hispanic/English Language Learners, and 96 percent qualify for free lunches. Once the Rebel Reading Room has been established, Phi Kappa Phi members will explore other ways to extend their partnership with Petersen.

Chapter 100 receives a $2,500 PKP Literacy Grant to establish the Rebel Reading Room at Petersen Professional Development School.

Literacy Grant info:

The National Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi has awarded a $2,500 literacy grant to UNLV’s Chapter 100 to fund the creation of the Rebel Reading Room at Dean Petersen Professional Development School. The partnership will fund a special environment for Petersen students who are working hard to improve their reading, language, and interaction skills.

The Rebel Reading Room will contain a variety of books, both printed and audio (especially helpful to language learners), and reading tablets so students could have a chance to read magazines and newspapers online and do rudimentary research. “My main idea is to give kids a safe, fun, and environmentally ‘poppin’ space they can explore, read, dream, wonder, and fall in love with learning and literature,” says James Bowen, school librarian.

Petersen Professional Development School is located within a mile of the UNLV campus. About 70 percent of the students enrolled are classified as Hispanic/English Language Learners, and 96 percent qualify for free lunches. Once the Rebel Reading Room has been established, Phi Kappa Phi members will explore other ways to extend their partnership with Petersen.

Ashley Matcheck, UNLV Chapter 100 student vice president, was chosen to serve on Phi Kappa Phi’s 2012-14 Council of Students and attend PKP’s Partnering for Success and national convention programs in August.

Ashley Matcheck and Larry Henley accept the Chapter of Excellence Award from Phi Kappa Phi national president Diane Smathers, past president Bill Bloodworth, and executive director Mary Todd.

UNLV Phi Kappa Phi Induction Ceremony Student Union April 16, 2012

UNLV Chapter 100 of the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation’s oldest, largest and most selective all-discipline academic honor society, held its 2012 Induction Ceremony on Monday, April 16, in the Student Union Ballroom. UNLV’s Chapter 100 welcomed approximately 200 students, faculty and staff members into the prestigious society.

Kelly Elizabeth Grob was named the junior initiate with the highest grade point average.

Adam Osman won the the Robert C. Maxson Graduate Scholarship. Kelly Elizabeth Grob was named the junior initiate with the highest grade point average. Amber Murphy was Chapter 100’s national fellowship nominee. Phi Kappa Phi bestowed its Honorary Membership Award on Mark Fine for his outstanding service to UNLV and the Las Vegas Community.

Phi Kappa Phi Chapter 100 members may wear a special medallion and honor cord at Commencement, and their membership is noted on UNLV transcripts.

Nationally, the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi inducts approximately 30,000 students, faculty, professional staff and alumni annually. Once inducted, Phi Kappa Phi members gain a lifelong passport to a global network of academic and professional opportunities.

Phi Kappa Phi has chapters on nearly 300 select colleges and universities. The society’s 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.”

Darlene Unrue

Darlene Unrue’s recent lecture, “Pitfalls, Roadblocks, and Serendipity: What I Learned Writing a Biography,” gave a fascinating glimpse into the literary detective work she did while writing her biography of Katherine Anne Porter.