Guide to the Phi Kappa Phi (University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire) Records, 1955–2010

Overview of the Collection

Repository:
Special Collections & Archives
McIntyre Library
University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire
P.O. Box 4004
105 Garfield Ave.
Eau Claire, WI 54702-4004
(715)-836-2739
http://www.uwec.edu/Library/archives/info.htm

Reference Code: USGZE AS371

Accession Number: 88-119; 92-104; 16-012; 22-015

Collection Number: Archives Series 371

Creator: Phi Kappa Phi

Title: Phi Kappa Phi (University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire) Records

Dates: 1955–2010

Quantity: 2.2 linear feet (1/2 archives box, 1 record carton, 1 flat box)

Location of Collection: Shelf B5/5d (Boxes 1–3); 2 banners rolled by file cabinet behind D9 shelving area

Languages: Collection materials are in English.

Summary: Records of Phi Kappa Phi, a national scholastic honor society, 1955 through 2010. Records and artifacts detail the history of the local chapter on campus (formed in April 1969), committees, correspondence, public relations, initiation programs, meeting minutes, activities, membership lists, and national society handbooks. UW-Eau Claire is not listed in the national Phi Kappa Phi current directory (in April 2022) for Wisconsin chapters.

Biographical/Historical Note

In 1897, at the University of Maine, an honor society was created “that recognized excellence in all academic disciplines covering a wider range of students than any other honor society in existence at that time.” In 1900, this “society was renamed Phi Kappa Phi from the letters of the Greek words forming its motto, Philosophía Krateítõ Phõtôn, ‘Let the love of learning rule humanity.’ Its mission is ‘to recognize and promote academic excellence in all fields of higher education and engages the community of scholars in service to others.’” (https://www.phikappaphi.org/about/mission-and-history)

The Wisconsin State University–Eau Claire chapter of Phi Kappa Phi was founded in April 1969, by the then national president-elect, Dr. Theodore Zillman, of the University of Wisconsin. Ninety-two undergraduates, 7 alumni, 2 graduate students, and 7 faculty members were initiated then. To be elected, a student had to be in the final semester of their junior or senior year and rank in the top eighth of the senior class, or top twentieth of the junior class. No more than ten percent of a class could be elected. Alumni of the past five years could be invited as members, and any faculty or graduate students of outstanding caliber (1970 Periscope, p. 187; Feb. 20, April 17, 1969, p. 3, The Spectator). Around the year 2000, senior undergraduates had to be in the upper 10% of their class in each college or division. Junior undergraduates had to be in the upper 7.5% of their class. Graduate and professional students had to be in the upper 10% of all candidates for graduate or professional degrees. Four members from the faculty, administration, and professional staff, and four outstanding alumni, could be invited into membership each year. The society recognizes scholarship in all academic disciplines. Students could apply for fellowships for graduate school from the national society, as well as local awards from the UW-Eau Claire chapter.

The badge of the society is a globe against the background of the sun with expansive rays, to signify equivalence among the various branches of learning and represent dissemination of truth as light. Encircling the globe is a band containing the Greek letters ΦΚΦ for Phi Kappa Phi to symbolize a fraternal bond which girds the earth and binds the lovers of wisdom in a common purpose. The seal of the society features the badge in its center, surrounded by a crenelated line that represents the battlements of Troy. In the space between this line and the periphery of the seal appear three stars just above the badge, one for each of the three original chapters. Below the badge is written “Founded 1897.”

UW-Eau Claire is not listed in the national Phi Kappa Phi current directory (in April 2022) for Wisconsin chapters.

Content Description

This collection contains records of Phi Kappa Phi, a national scholastic honor society, from before the formation of the local chapter on campus in 1969, 1955 through 2010. Records detail the history of the local chapter on campus, committees, correspondence (local chapter and national society), public relations releases, initiation programs and information, meeting minutes, activities (scholarship selection and Honors Week, etc.), membership lists and selections, and national society handbooks. Artifacts include: three banners — 11 ¾ x 11 3/16 inches, golden yellow base with navy blue design of the Phi Kappa Phi seal; two commencement honors stoles — 5 ft. 5.5 in. long, bright yellow with Greek letters ΦΚΦ embroidered in navy blue on one side and Phi Kapp Phi badge embroidered in navy blue and golden yellow on the other side; medal printed with Phi Kappa Phi seal and blue hanging ribbon; bronze medallion with Phi Kappa Phi seal engraved on front; Banner — 33.5 x 38.5 inches, navy blue base with golden yellow design of the Phi Kappa Phi seal; Banner — 28.5 x 36 inches, navy blue base with golden yellow design of the Phi Kappa Phi seal.

Related Collections

AS115: University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire University Centers Activities and Programs programming files, 1917-2015

AS344: University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire Honors Week Records, 1949-2015

AS358: University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire University Centers Activities and Programs student organizations files, 1960-2015 (Phi Kappa Phi: Box 5, F. 36)

AS374: University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire University Centers Activities and Programs campus organizations guidebook, 1986-1994

AS388: SOPHS Records, 1977-2010

AS443: Committees, Councils, Boards, 1965-1996 (Box 4, Folder 21: “Guide to Preliminary Statement concerning the possibility of establishing a chapter of the honor society of Phi Kappa Phi” at Wisconsin State University–Eau Claire)

Administrative Information

Acquisition Information: Transferred to the University Archives by Student Affairs in 1987 and 1992. Additional material transferred from University Activities and Programs in 2017.

Access Restrictions: Collection is open to the public.

Use Restrictions: Researchers are responsible for using in accordance with 17 U.S.C. Copyright owned by the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire.

Processing Note: Finding aid created and additions added by Julie Hatfield in April 2022.

Arrangement: Flat arrangement.

OCLC #: 20008724

Subjects

Personal Names:
Bakken, Arnold
Hoff, Roma

Subject Terms:
Phi Kappa Phi (University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire)
University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire — Societies, etc.
Universities and colleges — Honors Courses — Wisconsin

Geographical Terms:

Eau Claire, Wis.

Detailed List of Contents