Texas State leads the nation in number of students with Phi Kappa Phi Awards

Caitlin Leahy | January 7, 2019

Seven Texas State students have received the Phi Kappa Phi Love of Learning Award in 2018 Session B. This brings the total number of 2018 awardees from Texas State to eleven—the most of any university in the nation. Phi Kappa Phi is the nation’s oldest and most selective multidisciplinary collegiate honor society.

  • Adeniji Adetayo – International Ph.D. student in Materials Science, Engineering, and Commercialization  
  • McKenna Bristow – M.S. student in Population and Conservation Biology
  • Walter Furness – Ph.D. student in Geography
  • Megan Krou – Ph.D. student in Developmental Education
  • Shadi Maleki – International Ph.D. student in Geographic Information Science
  • Damilola Runsewe – International Ph.D. student in Materials Science, Engineering, and Commercialization
  • Sara Weaver – Ph.D. student in Aquatic Resources
  • Upendra Bahadur Bom – Ph.D. student in Geography
  • Kevin P. Collins – Ph.D. student in Adult, Professional, and Community Education
  • Brittany M. Davis – Ph.D. student in Adult, Professional, and Community Education
  • Mahima Sajan Varghese – M.S. student in Engineering
Brittany Davis
Brittany Davis, a Ph.D. student in the Adult, Professional, and Community Education program, is one of the eleven award recipients. She used the award funds to present her research at a conference in Italy. Her work focuses on how universities can help international students successfully navigate the American higher education system and address issues like language barriers, cultural differences and even homesickness.

Phi Kappa Phi, a global network of scholars and professionals, initiates more than 30,000 members a year on 300 campuses in the United States. The $500 award helps active Phi Kappa Phi members fund post-baccalaureate professional development pertaining to their graduate studies, ranging from costs associated with doctoral dissertations, continuing education, career development, and travel expenses for teaching, research and/or learning.

Dr. Andrea Hilkovitz, external funding coordinator in The Graduate College, says that Texas State students have continued success in securing the Love of Learning Award. 

“This is the fourth year in a row that Texas State students have received this award. The Love of Learning Award is a great external funding opportunity because it can be used to fund many different activities.” - Dr. Andrea Hilkovitz, Graduate College, External Funding Coordinator

For more information, contact University Communications:

Jayme Blaschke, 512-245-2555

Sandy Pantlik, 512-245-2922