Remarks by Frederick G. Slabach, Dean and Professor of Law, University of Mississippi

Congratulations to all of you on your induction into Phi Kappa Phi.

This is an extraordinary achievement of which you are rightly proud.

The University of Mississippi changed my life.

I grew up in rural Mississippi and attended a severely under-resourced public high school as one of eight children of factory workers. I am a first-generation college student – my parents did not have the opportunity to finish high school let alone go to college. But they recognized the economic challenges they faced as a result and pushed all eight of their children to go to college.

And we all did. My siblings and I became lawyers, educators, academic researchers, business, and financial professionals with a total of eleven graduate degrees among us.

My parents have now passed away. And if you looked at their lives solely as a financial ledger, you would not see much to distinguish them. But, to me, they are the most successful human beings ever to walk the earth. They were people of deep faith who sacrificed financially to help us go to college because they knew the power of higher education.

So, it is no surprise that I believe higher education is the greatest socioeconomic elevator ever devised by humankind.  The mission of this university – the mission of higher education, I believe, is to transform the world by transforming lives — one student at a time. You are a part of that stream of transformation. The University of Mississippi has accepted the children of farmers, factory workers, and service employees, many of whom are first generation college students. Students whose parents, like mine, did not have the opportunity to attend college. Students of modest means who are given an opportunity to learn, and grow, and make a better life for themselves because of this beautiful campus and the dedication of the faculty and staff.

What is the essence of that transformative power? The disciplines within higher education are diverse, of course. But regardless of discipline, and throughout history, the essence of higher education has remained the same.

The need to think. To learn to think — critical thinking and analytical reasoning. These higher order thinking skills are more important now than they ever have been in the past. These are the essential competencies needed for students to thrive in their chosen careers.

In my parent’s generation, a high school diploma was thought to be necessary to get ahead in life. In my generation, a bachelor’s degree was necessary. Today, economists tell us students will need a graduate degree to take advantage of economic opportunities presented to them.

Fortunately, the University of Mississippi is committed to developing these skills to help our undergraduate students gain admission to graduate school and our graduate students to thrive in their chosen professions.

That is how the University of Mississippi changed my life. It taught me critical thinking, analytical reasoning, and creative problem solving. In so doing, it set me on a successful and surprising journey.

Before I entered law school, I thought I was going to be the next Perry Mason, the TV show criminal defense lawyer of the 1960s who was not only able to gain acquittal of all his clients but was also able to get the real murderer to confess on the stand in open court — all in thirty minutes on TV.  I know. I am old – Google it.

The education I received, and the academic success achieved at the University of Mississippi broadened my horizons, leading me to a prestigious federal judicial clerkship and on to practice with a big corporate law firm in Washington, D.C.

But then something surprising happened.

Unexpected opportunities in government and public service presented themselves and I jumped at the chance to serve as Legislative Counsel to the President Pro Tempore of the U.S. Senate, assistant to a governor, and a member of the subcabinet of a U.S. Presidential administration. From there another spin – the opportunity to enter higher education as a faculty member and academic administrator first in legal education, next as CEO of the Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation, then as president of a university, and now full circle – home to the law school, the university, and the state I love.

If you had asked me while I was a student, I could not have imagined the twists and turns and the opportunities that presented themselves. Only now, looking back, does the progression make sense. Every unlikely step built upon itself to make the next surprising prospect possible. The academic experience provided to me here at the University of Mississippi was the foundation for every opportunity presented.

That is what your induction into Phi Kappa Phi really signifies – academic achievement – an elevated platform that will place opportunities within reach for the rest of your life.

My religious tradition teaches that the purpose of life is to learn, to love, and to serve. That is also the purpose of the faculty and staff here at the University of Mississippi. We love our students. We focus all our attention on serving you, and we help you learn. That purpose has achieved great success in the lives of individual students for generations.  When I talk to alumni, they tell me the caring of the faculty, the staff and other students made a difference in their lives.

The University of Mississippi changed my life. And whether you realize it now or not, it is changing yours. I cannot wait to see the surprising places it takes you.

Hotty Toddy!

Another wonderful celebration of the best and brightest students at the University of Mississippi. A special thanks to our keynote speaker Dr. Viola Acoff — Dean of Engineering.

The University of Mississippi welcomed 140 students into one of the oldest and most prestigious honor societies in the world in spring 2023.

The ceremony was held at the Gertrude Ford Center. The guest speaker was Dr. Ethel Young Scurlock, Dean of the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College.

“This spring we are proud to initiate 140 new members into Phi Kappa Phi. Each initiate has demonstrated both superior scholarship and good character,” said Jeremy Loenneke, Phi Kappa Phi president and associate professor of Exercise Science. “Phi Kappa Phi is the nation’s oldest and most selective honor society for all academic disciplines.

“Our mission is to recognize and promote academic excellence in all fields of higher education and to engage the community of scholars in service to others. Initiation into the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi is by invitation only and our initiates represent the very best of their class.”

Phi Kappa Phi has a long and impressive history.

In 1897 at the University of Maine, 10 senior students, two faculty members and the school president created an honor society that was different from the few others then in existence – one that recognized and honored excellence in all academic disciplines. Under the leadership of undergraduate student Marcus L. Urann, the group formed the Lambda Sigma Eta Society, which was later renamed Phi Kappa Phi from the initial letters of the Greek words forming its adopted motto: Philosophìa Krateìto Photôn, “Let the love of learning rule humanity.”

At the University of Mississippi, notable inductees include former chancellor Robert Khayat, the late Senator Thad Cochran and bestselling author John Grisham. Presidents, senators, Supreme Court Justices, governors, Pulitzer Prize winners, and even astronauts count themselves as members of Phi Kappa Phi.

The College of Liberal Arts had 25 inductees; School of Engineering, six; Patterson School of Accountancy, 10; General Studies, four; School of Business Administration, 16; School of Education, six; School of Pharmacy, four; School of Applied Sciences, 19; School of Law, 8; School of Journalism and New Media, 21; and Graduate School, 21.

Several students were named as inductees in more than one school.

The 2023 spring Phi Kappa Phi Honors Society initiates are listed below:

The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi — the nation’s oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines — recently recognized the University of Mississippi chapter of Phi Kappa Phi as a Circle of Excellence Gold Chapter, the second-highest commendation a chapter can receive from the organization.

The Circle of Excellence program was introduced in 2018. The program recognized 70 chapters this year, including 20 with the Gold distinction. Phi Kappa Phi currently has chapters on more than 325 select campuses in the United States, its territories and the Philippines.

“Our chapters and officers are the foundation of Phi Kappa Phi. We are proud to recognize and celebrate the chapters that exemplify our mission through the Circle of Excellence Awards,” said Society Executive Director and CEO Dr. Bradley R. Newcomer.

The Circle of Excellence Gold honor is given to chapters who scored a 95-99 out of 100 on a criteria scale that evaluates chapter health indicators. By receiving the Gold distinction, the Ole Miss chapter is recognized as a thriving organization that holds annual initiations, upholds the Society Bylaws, regularly attends chapter training opportunities and submits a chapter-endorsed nominee to the Phi Kappa Phi Fellowship Program.

“We are pleased to hear that our chapter of Phi Kappa Phi has achieved the Circle of Excellence Gold Award for 2022-2023. Our board takes pride in being able to recognize and promote the academic excellence of our students across all disciplines of higher education,” said chapter president Jeremy Loenneke.

Chapters achieving the Circle of Excellence Gold distinction receive:

• a commendation letter from the Society sent to chapter officers and campus administration
• special recognition on the Phi Kappa Phi website
• specially-designed logo for use in chapter communications
• a $200 cash award

To learn more about the Circle of Excellence program, please visit www.phikappaphi.org/2023Excellence.

More than 200 University of Mississippi students were welcomed into one of the oldest and most prestigious honor societies in the world fall 2022.

The ceremony was held at the Gertrude Ford Center. The guest speaker was Andrea Hickerson, dean of the School of Journalism and New Media

“Phi Kappa Phi is the nation’s oldest and most selective honor society for all academic disciplines,” said Jeremy Loenneke, Phi Kappa Phi president and associate professor of Exercise Science. “The University of Mississippi Chapter of Phi Kappa Phi was established in 1959, so this society has been serving Ole Miss for more than 60 years.

“Our mission is to recognize and promote academic excellence in all fields of higher education and to engage the community of scholars in service to others. Initiation into the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi is by invitation only and our initiates represent the very best of their class.”

Phi Kappa Phi has a long and impressive history.

In 1897 at the University of Maine, 10 senior students, two faculty members and the school president created an honor society that was different from the few others then in existence- one that recognized and honored excellence in all academic disciplines. Under the leadership of undergraduate student Marcus L. Urann, the group formed the Lambda Sigma Eta Society, which was later renamed Phi Kappa Phi from the initial letters of the Greek words forming its adopted motto: Philosophìa Krateìto Photôn, “Let the love of learning rule humanity.”

At the University of Mississippi, notable inductees include former chancellor Robert Khayat, the late Senator Thad Cochran and bestselling author John Grisham. Presidents, senators, Supreme Court Justices, governors, Pulitzer Prize winners, even astronauts count themselves as members of Phi Kappa Phi.

This semester there are 211 initiates. About 164 attended Sunday’s ceremony.

The College of Liberal Arts had 38 inductees; School of Engineering, 11; Patterson School of Accountancy, eight; General Studies, three; School of Business Administration. 18; School of Education, four; School of Pharmacy, five; School of Applied Sciences, 13; School of Law, four; School of Journalism and New Media, seven; and Graduate School, 47.

Several students were named as inductees in more than one school.

Please join the university in welcoming these 2022 students to the Phi Kappa Phi Honors Society:

More than 140 University of Mississippi students were welcomed into one of the oldest and most prestigious honor societies in the world Thursday afternoon.

The Phi Kappa Phi honor society’s mission is “to recognize and promote academic excellence in all fields of higher education and to engage the community of scholars in service to others.”

The ceremony was held at 3 p.m. Thursday at the Gertrude Ford Center.

“Membership into the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi is by invitation only and is open to those who have a consistent record of academic excellence,” said Jeremy Loenneke, Phi Kappa Phi president and associate professor of Exercise Science. “To be selected for initiation is a tremendous honor and means that you represent the very best of your class.”

Phi Kappa Phi has a long and impressive history.

In 1897 at the University of Maine, 10 senior students, two faculty members and the school president created an honor society that was different from the few others then in existence- one that recognized and honored excellence in all academic disciplines. Under the leadership of undergraduate student Marcus L. Urann, the group formed the Lambda Sigma Eta Society, which was later renamed Phi Kappa Phi from the initial letters of the Greek words forming its adopted motto: Philosophìa Krateìto Photôn, “Let the love of learning rule humanity.”

At the University of Mississippi, notable inductees include former chancellor Robert Khayat, the late Senator Thad Cochran and bestselling author John Grisham. Presidents, senators, Supreme Court Justices, governors, Pulitzer Prize winners, even astronauts count themselves as members of Phi Kappa Phi.

The Keynote speaker at today’s ceremony was Randall Pinkston, a veteran, award-winning journalist, who has worked as a White House correspondent for CBS and as a reporter in Mississippi and throughout the U.S.

Since retiring, Pinkston has taught journalism at Stony Brook University in New York, the City University of New York and Morgan State University in Maryland. He is currently a visiting professor in the School of Journalism and New Media.

Throughout his career as an educator, he has taught media performance, communications law and ethics, financial reporting and international reporting.

He is also serving as an adviser for NewsWatch Ole Miss, the student-run TV news program produced from the S. Gale Denley Student Media Center, and he has been named a fellow in the Overby Center for Southern Journalism and Politics.

The College of Liberal Arts had 33 inductees; School of Engineering, 7; Patterson School of Accountancy, 17; General Studies, five; School of Business Administration. 30; School of Education, three; School of Pharmacy, three; School of Law, 2; School of Journalism and New Media, 10; and Graduate School, 28.

Several students were named as inductees in more than one school.

Please join the university in welcoming these 2020-2021 students to the Phi Kappa Phi Honors Society:

On a campus of about 19,000 students, it can be hard to stand out, but the newest members of the University of Mississippi chapter of the Phi Kappa Phi (PKP) national honor society are certainly able to do it.

“Phi Kappa Phi is the nation’s oldest and most selective honor society for all academic disciplines,” UM PKP President Jeremy Loenneke said. “Membership into Phi Kappa Phi is by invitation only and is open to those who have a consistent record of academic excellence.”

Approximately 560 students were invited to join the chapter for the fall of 2021. The chapter hosted its initiation ceremony in the Ford Center, Sunday, October 10, with Dr. Dave Puleo, dean of the UM engineering school, delivering the keynote address.

The UM chapter of Phi Kappa Phi has been a part of campus for more than 60 years, which Loenneke said speaks to the caliber of students and faculty at the university.

“The overall environment is also one that promotes and values academic excellence. All of this together fits right in with the mission and motto of Phi Kappa Phi, which is to ‘let the love of learning rule humanity,’” Loenneke said.

Phi Kappa Phi membership also comes with recognition on your college transcript and a chance to apply for a number of prestigious local and national scholarships. This fall’s new class of initiates includes student representatives from every school and college on the UM campus.

Loenneke said there are hundreds of UM students who should be feeling particularly proud of their accomplishments right now.

“To be selected for initiation is a great honor and means that you represent the very best of your class.”

The Phi Kapa Phi honor society’s mission is “to recognize and promote academic excellence in all fields of higher education and to engage the community of scholars in service to others.”

“This semester’s inductees deserve so much praise and respect,” Phi Kappa Phi Ole Miss board member Dr. Debora Wenger said. “They remained committed to academic excellence despite a pandemic creating innumerable challenges for learning. These students are truly scholarly all-stars.”

Phi Kappa Phi has a long and impressive history. In 1897 at the University of Maine, 10 senior students, two faculty members and the school president created an honor society that was different from the few others then in existence- one that recognized and honored excellence in all academic disciplines. Under the leadership of undergraduate student Marcus L. Urann, the group formed the Lambda Sigma Eta Society, which was later renamed Phi Kappa Phi from the initial letters of the Greek words forming its adopted motto: Philosophìa Krateìto Photôn, “Let the love of learning rule humanity.”

At the University of Mississippi, notable inductees include former chancellor Robert Khayat, the late Senator Thad Cochran and bestselling author John Grisham. Presidents, senators, Supreme Court Justices, governors, Pulitzer Prize winners, even astronauts count themselves as members of Phi Kappa Phi.

Please join the university in welcoming these 2020-2021 students to the Phi Kappa Phi Honors Society:

Hundreds of University of Mississippi students have recently been welcomed into one of the oldest and most prestigious honor societies in the world.

The Phi Kapa Phi honor society’s mission is “to recognize and promote academic excellence in all fields of higher education and to engage the community of scholars in service to others.”

This year, the UM chapter, like many others around the country, had to take the celebration online.

“We chose to celebrate our 380 initiates via social media this year because we wanted the chance to spread the word of their accomplishment as widely as possible. These are amazing students who represent the best of what college students can be, and the world just needs a little more to celebrate right now,” Dr. Debora Wenger, UM Phi Kappa Phi board member said.

At the University of Mississippi, notable inductees include former chancellor Robert Khayat, the late Senator Thad Cochran and bestselling author John Grisham. Presidents, senators, Supreme Court Justices, governors, Pulitzer Prize winners, even astronauts count themselves as members of Phi Kappa Phi.

Phi Kappa Phi has a long and impressive history. In 1897 at the University of Maine, 10 senior students, two faculty members, and the school president created an honor society that was different from the few others then in existence- one that recognized and honored excellence in all academic disciplines. Under the leadership of undergraduate student Marcus L. Urann, the group formed the Lambda Sigma Eta Society, which was later renamed Phi Kappa Phi from the initial letters of the Greek words forming its adopted motto: Philosophìa Krateìto Photôn, “Let the love of learning rule humanity.”

Please join the university in welcoming these 2019-2020 students to the Phi Kappa Phi Honors Society:

Though the annual Phi Kappa Phi induction ceremony set for April 2 was canceled this semester, many University of Mississippi students were still welcomed into one of the oldest and most prestigious honor societies in the world.

The honor society’s mission is “to recognize and promote academic excellence in all fields of higher education and to engage the community of scholars in service to others.”

In 1897 at the University of Maine, 10 senior students, two faculty members, and the school president created an honor society that was different from the few others then in existence-one that recognized and honored excellence in all academic disciplines. Under the leadership of undergraduate student Marcus L. Urann, the group formed the Lambda Sigma Eta Society, which was later renamed Phi Kappa Phi from the initial letters of the Greek words forming its adopted motto: Philosophìa Krateìto Photôn, “Let the love of learning rule humanity.”

Please join the university and the chapter in welcoming these 2019-2020 students to the Phi Kappa Phi Honors Society: