Charter members and new inductees alike dressed in full academic regalia for the April 19 installation of UT Dallas as the 316th chapter of Phi Kappa Phi.

Phi Kappa Phi Chapter Officers

The UT Dallas chapter officers are (from left) Andrea D. Stigdon, public relations officer; Dr. Douglas C. Dow, scholarships and awards coordinator; Dr. Denise Paquette Boots, founding president; and  Dr. Edward J. Harpham, secretary/treasurer.

Phi Kappa Phi Regional Representative Dr. David Silva, vice provost for academic affairs at the University of Texas at Arlington, officiated at the ceremony.  Dr. Silva spoke about the philosophy of Phi Kappa Phi and its history.  He also installed the UT Dallas chapter’s first officers:  Dr. Denise Paquette Boots as the chapter’s founding president, Dr. Edward J. Harpham as the secretary/treasurer, Andrea D. Stigdon as the public relations officer and Dr. Douglas C. Dow as the scholarships and awards coordinator.

At the conclusion of the chapter installation, Boots  addressed the charter members and new faculty initiates.

“Phi Kappa Phi is synonymous with academic excellence, and you each bring creative, personal and scholarly talents that will help our community grow and prosper in the years ahead,” she said.

Eligible undergraduate and graduate students, as well as a limited number of alumni, will be invited into the membership during the fall semester. The University will also invite community members and UT Dallas alumni affiliated with other chapters to associate with the chapter in the near future.

By forming a Phi Kappa Phi chapter, UT Dallas has made strides in its effort to become a nationally recognized Tier One research university.  Access to interest earned from the state’s $600 million National Research University Fund, a voter-approved endowment, is contingent in part on institutional membership in Phi Kappa Phi or a similar academic honors group.

Spring 2011 inductees included:

  • Dr. Cyrus Duncan Cantrell III, professor of electrical engineering, School of Engineering and Computer Science.
  • Dr. Anthony Champagne, professor of political science, School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences, director of pre-law, Undergraduate Education.
  • Dr. Catherine Coleman Eckel, Ashbel Smith professor, School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences.
  • Dr. George W. Fair, dean, School of Interdisciplinary Studies.
  • Dr. Juan E. Gonzalez, professor of molecular and cell biology, School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics.
  • Dr. Bruce Gnade, vice president for research.
  • Dr. Michael Kilgard, associate professor, School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences.
  • Dr. Dennis M. Kratz, dean, School of Arts and Humanities.
  • Dr. James W. Marquart, dean, School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences.
  • Dr. Bert S. Moore, dean, School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences.
  • Dr. Ozalp Ozer, associate professor, School of Management.
  • Dr. Hasan Pirkul, dean, School of Management.
  • Dr. Matthew M. Polze, senior lecturer, School of Management.
  • Dr. Myron B. Salamon, dean, School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics.
  • Dr. Mark W. Spong, dean, School of Engineering and Computer Science.
  • Dr. Theresa M. Towner, professor of literary studies, School of Arts and Humanities.
  • Dr. Walter E. Voit, assistant professor of materials science and engineering, School of Engineering and Computer Science.