The NDSU chapter of the Phi Kappa Phi honor society, which recently received the organization’s Chapter of Merit status, has scheduled its annual fall initiation and celebration of academic excellence on Wednesday, Nov. 14, at 5 p.m. in the Memorial Union Great Plains Ballroom.

A total of 67 students and one faculty member, Tri-College Provost Tim Flakoll, will be inducted into the chapter. Taylor Cymbaluk, a senior majoring in animal science, will be the guest speaker.

“It’s a special recognition for our students to honor their academic achievements,” said Anita Welch, president of the NDSU chapter and Phi Kappa Phi’s North Central Region vice president. “This membership stays with them throughout their professional careers.”

NDSU is the 10th-oldest chapter in the organization and begins to celebrate its 100th year on campus. Welch said approximately 350 Phi Kappa Phi members live in the Fargo-Moorhead area. Claudette Peterson, assistant professor in the School of Education, has been named the chapter’s community and alumni liaison to reach out to area non-campus members. “Members in the community, our alumni, can be active with our chapter and hopefully serve as mentors to our students,” Welch said.

Phi Kappa Phi is the largest academic honor society that recognizes and promotes academic excellence in all fields of higher education. A total of 73 out of 318 chapters received recognition status in the past year. “Phi Kappa Phi is the nation’s oldest and most selective collegiate honor society,” said Provost Bruce Rafert. “The recognition NDSU has received as a Chapter of Merit is indicative of the exceptional accomplishments of our chapter.”

NDSU is recognized as one of the nation's top 108 public and private universities by the Carnegie Commission on Higher Education.