January 30, 2009
SIUC chapter of Phi Kappa Phi seeks nominations
CARBONDALE, Ill. -- The Southern Illinois University Carbondale chapter of Phi Kappa Phi, the “nation’s oldest, largest and most selective all-discipline honor society,” seeks nominations from among the University community.
Ronald Naversen, associate professor in the Department of Theater and the Scholar/Artist Awards Officer for the SIUC chapter of Phi Kappa Phi, said the chapter accepts nominations and nomination materials until April 6.
Eligible nominees are scholars and artists who demonstrate excellence in teaching, research or creative activity or service to the University. Nomination dossiers include honors, publications, papers, patents, inventions, exhibitions, performances and documentation of other relevant activities.
SIUC awardees receive $300, the honor society’s medallion and membership in Phi Kappa Phi. They are also eligible for nomination to the Phi Kappa Phi’s National Honor Society’s award competition, Naversen said. Recipients at the national level receive a $10,000 cash award, a plaque, and expenses paid to the national convention, where they present their research or creative activity.
Naversen noted that SIUC “has been very successful when sending its award recipients forward to the national competition.” He noted recent national winners Andrzej Bartke of the School of Medicine, and Larry Hickman, director of Dewey Studies.
“These scholars both won the national award, making SIUC the only university that can boast two national winners in the Phi Kappa Phi awards,” he said.
Recent SIUC chapter award recipients include: Outstanding Artist Award -- Stewart Wessel (School of Architecture), Beth Lordan (novelist, English department), Harris Deller (ceramics, School of Art and Design), Rodney Jones (poet, English department), and David Rush (playwright, theater department); and Outstanding Scholar Award -- Sanjeev Kumar (engineering), Mark Dixon (Rehabilitation Institute), James Smith Allen (history), Carey Krajewski (zoology), and Robbie Lieberman (history).
To nominate a scholar or artist, submit a letter of nomination, the nominee’s vita, and at least two supporting letters. Naversen suggested that at least one letter should come from an individual not affiliated with SIUC. In addition, he noted, Outstanding Artist Award nominees should include slides, tapes, Web sites or other documentation of the nominee’s work.
For more information, or to submit a nomination, contact Ronald Naversen at rvav@siu.edu. To learn more about Phi Kappa Phi, go to www.phikappaphi.org.