Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ welcomes newest inductees to Phi Kappa Phi Chapter

Community of scholars honored for academic excellence and service

Community of scholars honored for academic excellence and service

Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ University's chapter of The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi (PKP) inducted a total of 24 new members on March 22, 2022.

The faculty and staff initiates include:

Stacey Hubbard, dean of admission and financial aid

Dr. Kyle Knust, associate professor of chemistry

Jessa Wilcoxen, associate professor and chair of arts technology and administration

Dr. Travis Wilcoxen, associate professor and chair of biology

Shilling Hall

The student inductees include:

Katharine Baumann, a junior biology major from Carrollton, Ill.

Devinne Bone, a senior early childhood education major from Findlay, Ill.

Bryan Dabulskis, a senior environmental studies major from Decatur, Ill.

Sydney Finch, a junior early childhood education major from Waterloo, Ill.

Abigail Greider , a Doctor of Nursing Practice: Family Nurse Practitioner candidate from Springfield, Ill.

Melina Hall, a junior biology major from Pekin, Ill.

Cole Hintz, a junior acting major from Defiance, Mo.        

Maria Holloway-Racine, a junior double major in acting and environmental studies from DeKalb, Ill.

Jarius  Ingram , a junior biology (pre-physician associate) major from Decatur

Sheila Jackman, a junior accounting major from Decatur

Jessi Kreder, a junior biology major from Decatur

Brandon Lockhart, a senior accounting major from Decatur

Megan Lockhart, a senior accounting major from Decatur

Kate McCray, an early childhood education major with a special education concentration from Humboldt, Ill.

Hannah Prochnow, a junior double majoring in philosophy (pre-law track) and environmental studies from Bloomington, Ill.

Madeeha Salik, a junior chemistry major from Forsyth, Ill.

Courtney Schudel, a junior art therapy major with a minor in psychology from O'Fallon, Mo.     

Bryn Sentnor, an acting major with a minor in music from St. Louis, Mo. 

Rachel Silvey, a theatre major from Mahomet, Ill.  

Lauren Wyatt, a junior elementary education major from Mt. Zion, Ill.


Phi Kappa Phi is the nation's oldest, largest and most selective all-discipline honor society. The society's 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. Its chapters are on more than 300 college and university campuses.

"The members of Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ's chapter of The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi are proud to welcome as new initiates students, faculty and staff from such a wide variety of disciplines across the University, including graphic design, theatre, nursing, education, chemistry, accounting and biology," said Amanda Pippitt, associate professor and director of the Staley Library, and president of Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ's chapter of Phi Kappa Phi. "It's an honor to formally recognize all their hard work and connect them to the valuable scholarship, grant and professional development opportunities that PKP provides."

Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ's chapter of Phi Kappa Phi, established in 1950, invites the top students, as well as a limited number of faculty, staff and alumni to join the chapter each year.

To become a member of Phi Kappa Phi, senior undergraduates shall be in the upper 10 percent of their class in each college or division. Juniors are drawn from the upper 7.5 percent of their class. Graduate and professional students who have completed one full year of study and are in the upper 10 percent of all candidates for graduate or professional degrees are also eligible for membership. Faculty, administrators, professional staff and alumni who have achieved scholarly distinction, service and leadership also qualify for membership.

Every two years the honor society as a whole gives away more than $1 million to outstanding students, members and chapters. Those inducted into Phi Kappa Phi are qualified for annual grants and awards.

For more information about Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ's chapter of Phi Kappa Phi, visit .