Alfred University welcomes 17 new members into its Phi Kappa Phi honor society chapter

photo of several people sitting or standing, front and back rows — Pictured following the Alfred University Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society induction ceremony are, front from left: Danielle Gagne, Kevin Adams, Roque Santiago, Callum Young, Brayden Bush, and David Michael Schultz. Back row from left are: Roger Loucks (chapter president), Maria Planansky, Hannah Renzi, Kiani Barnard-Pratt, Mechele Romanchock, Alyssa DiMillo, Vanessa Gazi, Brian Ngatunga, Alessandro Lagos, and Brian Sullivan (chapter treasurer). Inductees not pictured are Joseph Stannard Baker, Kaitlyn Diego, and Robin Mazejka.

The Alfred University chapter of the Phi Kappa Phi honor society welcomed 17 new members during induction ceremonies held April 4 in Herrick Library. Six juniors, two seniors, four graduate students, and five faculty/staff comprised the group of inductees.

Roger Loucks, professor of physics and Phi Kappa Phi president, presided over the induction ceremonies and was assisted by Brian Sullivan, dean of libraries and chapter treasurer.

Inductees from the College of Business were juniors Alyssa DiMillo of Liverpool, NY, and Vanessa Gazi of Alfred, NY, and senior Brian Ngatunga of Mwanza, Tanzania.

Inductees from the School of Engineering were juniors Kiani Barnard-Pratt of Westford, MA, Brayden Bush of Newcomb, NY, Roque Santiago of Canisteo, NY, and Callum Young of Freeville, NY, and senior Alessandro Lagos of Tegucigalpa, Honduras.

Inductees from the School of Art and Design were graduate students Joseph Stannard Baker V of Alfred, NY, and David Michael Schultz of Hadley, MA.

Inductees from the School of Graduate and Continuing Studies were Kaitlyn Diego of Auburn, NY, and Hannah Renzi of Watertown, NY.

Faculty/Staff inductees were Kevin Adams, information literacy librarian; Danielle Gagne, professor of psychology; Robin Mazejka, associate vice president, philanthropic relationships; Maria Planansky, collection management librarian; and Mechele Romanchock, director of libraries.

Founded in 1897, Phi Kappa Phi recognizes and promotes academic excellence in all fields of higher education. Its standards are second to none. The Greek letters of Phi Kappa Phi stand for the society’s motto, “Philosophia Krateito Photon,” which is freely translated, “Let the Love of Wisdom Rule Humanity.” The Alfred University chapter was established in 1970. In its initiation ceremony, held in the Herrick Library Bookend Lounge, the chapter honored the academic accomplishments of its newly inducted members.