Page 15 - 2017 Annual Report
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WHAT MEMBERS ARE SAYING… Photo Credit: Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi
“Being a member of Phi Kappa FOR THE LOVE OF LITERACY
Phi alone has its benefits—I get
to be recognized for my From February to April, Phi Kappa Phi held its fourth annual Book Drive
academic excellence by my Competition. As part of the contest, 22 chapters across the country hosted drives to
peers and potential employers. collect as many books as possible for an organization of their choice.
However, the best part about
Phi Kappa Phi is that they help The book drives were held at both colleges and universities nationwide.
members achieve more by providing an avenue to Organizations chosen by the chapters to receive the donations ranged from schools
network with others and provide support for and libraries to other community organizations such as tutoring and mentoring
academic/professional development.” programs, correctional centers and more.
Jan Michael Salgado, University of the Philippines
In all, the participating chapters collected more than 7,000 books and $1,200 in
“Unlike many national honor monetary donations.
societies that focus solely on
undergraduate students, Phi “This book drive has given our campus a way to take action on behalf of children
Kappa Phi supports scholars who have had to face too many obstacles in their young lives,” said Dr. Jeanne
throughout the course of their Zarucchi, president of the University of Missouri–St. Louis chapter. “Over the past
academic and professional three years, we have shared the donations with children affected by the protests in
careers. I am proud to belong to a network that Ferguson, children of ex-offenders, children receiving therapy as victims of abuse, and
supports scholars through graduate school and children involved in family court cases. It has been very moving to see the outpouring
beyond.” of generosity, and to know that so many people believe in the power of reading as an
Emily Daina Šaras, Florida State University agent for positive change.”
“The best part about Phi The four winning chapters whose drives collected the most donations were
Kappa Phi is the way that the University of Missouri–Kansas City, University of Missouri–St. Louis, Western
organization makes me feel Illinois University and California State University, Chico.
like I am part of a community.
This is demonstrated through The winning chapters received a Little Free Library to place at a location of their
the activities of my local choice. The Little Free Library is a freestanding box where anyone can donate and
chapter, the communications from the national borrow books in an effort to promote literacy throughout communities—a prize that
organization, as well as financial support through fits well with Phi Kappa Phi’s love of learning and literacy.
awards and grants.”
Teddy DeWitt, University of Michigan Since its first competition in 2014, Phi Kappa Phi’s annual book drive competition
has donated more than 35,000 books to organizations both locally and abroad.
LEARNING FOR LEADERSHIP
With the Mile High City as the backdrop, students from nearly 65 campuses across
the nation met up at the third biennial Student Vice President Leadership Summit
this past summer in Denver. The two-day event, hosted July 14-15, paired tips on
how to successfully promote and enhance chapters of Phi Kappa Phi with resources
on sharpening personal leadership skills. In addition to learning the ins and outs
of Phi Kappa Phi and what it means to be a student vice president, attendees
drilled down into personal leadership during a day-long interactive event hosted by
Collegiate Empowerment.
“Before coming to the Summit, I felt as though I was swept into a whirlwind. I was
nominated by the previous student vice president and a faculty member and had no
idea what was to be expected, neither of me, or the situation I was put in,” said an
attendee at the Summit. “As of now, I have a newly gained confidence in myself, and
a lot of ideas on how to further our chapter’s success.”
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