Pennsylvania State University

Smith inducted into honor society

Ryan Smith, of Whitehall, was recently initiated into the honor society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation’s oldest and most selective all-discipline collegiate honor society. Smith was initiated at Pennsylvania State University.

Smith is among about 25,000 students, faculty, professional staff and alumni to be initiated into Phi Kappa Phi each year. Membership is by invitation only and requires nomination and approval by a chapter. Only the top 10% of seniors and 7.5% of juniors are eligible for membership. Graduate students in the top 10% of the number of candidates for graduate degrees may also qualify, as do faculty, professional staff and alumni who have achieved scholarly distinction.

Phi Kappa Phi was founded in 1897 under the leadership of undergraduate student Marcus L. Urann, who 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 325 campuses in the U.S., its territories and the Philippines. Its 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.”

Kutztown University

Brunst inducted into honor society

Holly Brunst, of Walnutport, was one of 38 Kutztown University students to be inducted into Psi Chi International Honor Society in Psychology at its annual induction ceremony this spring.

Psi Chi is the international honor society for psychology majors, with chapters around the globe. Since 1992, the KU chapter of Psi Chi has held events and biweekly meetings for its members and other psychology students. Anyone is welcome to attend the meetings, where topics typically center around psychological research and graduate school. Psi Chi offers its new and ongoing members support programs for undergraduate, graduate and faculty. Assistance with research projects and educational opportunities are available with membership. Members also receive valuable career resources and networking opportunities.

Founded in 1866, Kutztown University of Pennsylvania is a proud member of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. KU’s programs and reputation for quality offer students the opportunity to discover lifelong avenues of learning and discovery. KU students select from more than 130 areas of study within four colleges in a diverse liberal arts academic environment. To complement their studies, KU’s NCAA Division II athletics program with 22 varsity sports joins the more than 160 student clubs and organizations providing students with a variety of activities for learning and discovery.

Lebanon Valley College

Kelly inducted into honor society

Megan Kelly, of Whitehall, was inducted into Phi Alpha Epsilon, Lebanon Valley College’s honor society celebrating academic achievement and volunteer service. Kelly, a graduate of Whitehall High School, is pursuing a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in communication sciences and disorders and speech-language pathology.

To be eligible for this award, students must achieve a cumulative GPA of at least 3.6, complete at least 45 credits of coursework at LVC and achieve the bronze level of service hours (as determined by the office of service and volunteerism) after the fall semester before graduation. Inductees are formally welcomed into the society at a spring banquet.

Lebanon Valley College, founded in 1866, offers 50 majors in the health professions, sciences, business and digital media, arts and humanities and education. Hands-on learning, internships and research are emphasized. LVC offers five direct-entry (bachelor’s to master’s) programs in accounting/MBA 3+1, athletic training 3+2, clinical mental health counseling 3+2, engineering 3+2, speech-language pathology 3+2 and a nationally recognized six-year doctor of physical therapy program. There are more than a dozen graduate degrees, including an MBA and master’s in clinical mental health counseling, education, exercise science and intelligence and security studies.

Located 8 miles from Hershey, this college of 1,600 undergraduate and 400-plus graduate students produces alumni who attend prestigious graduate and professional schools and are employed by top companies and school districts.