K-State First - Phi Eta Sigma

Phi Eta Sigma National Honor Society, founded on March 22, 1923, to encourage and reward academic excellence in the first year of collegiate study, is the nation's oldest and largest honor society for first-year college and university students in all disciplines and is the third most senior member of the Association of College Honor Societies. Each year, Phi Eta Sigma awards more than $300,000 in scholarships to its members nationwide. The three Greek words appearing at the bottom of the crest, right, form the motto, "Knowledge is Power."

Although the primary focus of Phi Eta Sigma is to recognize and celebrate scholastic achievement, its secondary focus is service to the community. Therefore, the members of the K-State chapter volunteer and organize a number of service projects throughout the year. Our most recent commitments have been to the Douglass Community Center to provide volunteer tutors for their Hand to Hand after-school program, Second Helping to serve community dinners and bell ringing for the Salvation Army at Christmas time. In addition, Phi Eta Sigma forms a Relay for Life team each year and recently formed a partnership with the Johnson Cancer Research Center to raise awareness and to raise funds for cancer research taking place right here at Kansas State University.

Phi Eta Sigma has chartered chapters at 365 campuses across the country and since its founding, more than one million scholars have been inducted.

All first-year students who have a cumulative grade-point average of at least 3.5 on a 4.0 scale at the end of any full-time curricular period are automatically eligible for membership, provided they have carried a normal academic load acceptable toward a bachelor's degree.

Life-time membership is conferred upon induction, and maintaining the grade-point average is not required.

Although students will prefer to be inducted with their classmates, eligibility is not lost by missing an induction; one may be inducted at a regularly scheduled induction ceremony.

The membership fee of $75 pays for an academic key or tie tac, membership certificate, and access to the electronic copy of the national publication, The Forum. The fee also pays a portion of the expenses for a chapter delegate to attend the national convention; and a portion goes to the Founders Fund, which provides scholarships each year to members of Phi Eta Sigma for undergraduate study. Scholarships are also available for the first year of graduate study.

Membership Benefits

• An outward recognition of personal accomplishment and an incentive for continued high scholarship.

• The opportunity to meet scholars from all academic disciplines on our campus and to join them in promoting academic excellence and campus and community service.

• Identifies you to employers, professionals, and graduate schools as a person of superior academic ability and commitment.

• Local chapter and national leadership opportunities.

• A national scholarship program awarded to deserving applicants – six or more $7,000 graduate scholarships; thirty-seven or more $5,000 undergraduate scholarships; and one or more $1,000 undergraduate awards.

• A $10,000 Scholar-Leader-of-The-Year Award chosen from the pool of scholarship applicants.

• Chapter scholarships and awards.

• An affordable national initiation fee of $35, plus local initiation fee.

• A certificate and golden key of membership.

• A national convention and leadership workshops – National pays registration fee, hotel housing, convention meals, and regional entertainment for one chapter adviser and one student delegate representing each active chapter.

• Top quality national publications.

• Access to official Society jewelry, fashion collections, and the opportunity to earn academic regalia.

National Scholarships

Phi Eta Sigma awards more than $300,000 in national scholarships annually. Members of Phi Eta Sigma with a minimum of a 3.5 GPA and full-time enrollment in college are eligible for national scholarships ranging in amounts from $1,000 - $10,000. Applications become available in January and are distributed to PES members by the chapter adviser and/or officers. For more information about national scholarships and to access the application, visit the How to Apply page.

National Scholarship Winners:

2009 – Kristi Mendenhall awarded $1,000
2010 – Rachel Helmke awarded $1,000
2011 – Parker Rayl awarded $6,000
2011 – Christopher Meyers awarded $1,000
2012 – Allie Richmeier awarded $1,000
2012 – Jeni Kemnitz awarded $1,000
2013 – William Trieb awarded $1,000
2014 – Brent Weaver awarded $6,000
2015 – Brooke Boyington awarded $6,000
2023 - Breanna Palmer awarded $1,000
2023 - Lane Johnson-Martinez awarded $5,000
2023 - Elizabeth Herrman awarded $5,000

Chapter Scholarships

The K-State Chapter of Phi Eta Sigma recently established a scholarship endowment with the K-State Foundation. Interest earned from the endowment is used to award chapter scholarships. The amount available to award depends entirely upon the performance of endowed account. Typically, the chapter is able to award between $400 and $1,000 in scholarships each year. For more information about chapter scholarships and to access the application, visit the How to Apply page.

K-State Chapter Scholarship Winners:

2010 – Kristi Mendenhall awarded $250
2010 – Ashley Clark awarded $250
2010 – Antoinette Cutler awarded $125
2011 – Rachel Helmke awarded $350
2011 – Parker Rayl awarded $350
2011 – Jeni Kemnitz awarded $350
2012 – Cheyanne Alvarado awarded $250
2012 – Holly Schuessler awarded $150
2014 – Ronnie Sullivan awarded $200
2014 – Brook Morris awarded $200
2014 – Abby Meyer awarded $100
2015 – Christopher Reusz awarded $400
2020 – Lindsey Ann Edwards awarded $1,000
2021 – Connor Robert Gorrell awarded $1,000
2022 – Breanna Palmer awarded $800
2023 – Grace Schieferecke awarded $500

Members of Distinction

In 2021, Phi Eta Sigma launched a new Member of Distinction Program, which gives students a chance to earn a commendation and a special level of distinction by participating in qualifying national and local chapter events. In addition to earning this significant honor, Members of Distinction will receive exclusive graduation regalia and special programming opportunities. More information about the Member of Distinction Program is available here.

Member of Distinction Honorees from K-State:

2023 – Elizabeth Herrman
2023 - Lane Johnson-Martinez