Phi Kappa Phi to induct 30 candidates

SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. -- Phi Kappa Phi, the Honor Society at Slippery Rock University, will induct 30 candidates into the nation's oldest and most selective collegiate honor society at 4 p.m., March 25 in the Vincent Science Center, Room 105.

The list of initiates includes 22 students and eight faculty members. Students invited must be in the top 7.5 percent of their junior class or the top 10 percent of their senior class.

Those who accept the invitation will join the ranks of notable achievers including: James Barksdale, founder of Netscape; authors John Grisham, Ernest Gaines, James Lee Burke, David Baldacci and Tony Hillerman; Jimmy Carter, 39th president of the United States; astronauts Wendy Lawrence and Bernard Harris, Jr.; and Secretary of State George Olah.

SRU's 2017 initiates include:

• Madeline Adams, a junior from Warren, Ohio;
• Allison Birckbichler, a senior from Karns City;
• Kristen Burns, a junior from Canonsburg;
• Adam Byko, a junior from Cranberry;
• Emily Chambers, a junior from Trafford;
• Maryellen Davis, a junior from Falls Church;
• Michelle Forrest, a senior from Aliquippa;
• Danielle Harasyn, a junior from Pittsburgh;
• Erik Hodges, a senior from Ashtabula;
• Jessica Holzapfel, a junior from Latrobe;
• Kelsey Juszczak, a junior from Manahawkin;
• Joey Kerle, a senior from Emlenton;
• Wesley Knight, a junior from Grove City;
• Shelby Mitchell, a junior from Waterford;
• Courtney Oberlander, a junior from Waterford;
• Kayla Payne Tyus, a junior from Pittsburgh;
• Stephanie Policaro, a junior from Ellwood City;
• Kyla Prickett, a junior from Jefferson Hills;
• Corinne Savena, a junior from Portersville;
• Jenna Simon, a junior from Twinsburg;
• Stephanie Smith, a senior from Latrobe;
• Kara Verne, a junior from Brockway;
• Deanna Brookens, instructor of theatre;
• Ana Maria Caula, associate professor of modern languages and cultures;
• Connie Edwards, assistant to the associate provost of enrollment management;
• Heather Frederick, associate professor of political science;
• George Lengyel, assistant professor of chemistry;
• Susan Lubinski, associate professor of criminology and security studies;
• Catherine Massey, professor of psychology; and
• Glenn Utsch, assistant professor of music

Founded in 1897 at the University of Maine and headquartered in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Phi Kappa Phi has chapters at more than 300 college and university campuses in North America 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."

MEDIA CONTACT: Robb King | 724.738.2199 | robert.king@sru.edu