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Photo by Olivia Moore/ Journalism Student

Photo by Olivia Moore/ Journalism Student

Photo by Olivia Moore/ Journalism Student

Photo by Olivia Moore/ Journalism Student

New PKP members were encouraged to donate to Grove Grocery, the campus food pantry, Photo by Olivia Moore/Journalism student

By Debora Wenger

PKP board member/Journalism Professor

On a crisp Sunday afternoon, more than 100 students, their families and friends gathered at the University of Mississippi for an induction into the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi.

The annual fall ceremony, held on Nov. 3, was both a celebration of academic excellence and a call to service, as new members were encouraged to donate to Grove Grocery, the campus food pantry dedicated to fighting food insecurity among students and employees.

“It’s easy to forget that there are people who go to school that may need support, and it’s good to just help out wherever you can,” new member Emory Reinhard said, as she dropped off her donation.

Inductees were asked to contribute to Grove Grocery, which has operated since 2013 as a campus lifeline for those in need.

Managed by a student committee and staffed by volunteers, Grove Grocery addresses food insecurity—a challenge affecting many college campuses across the nation.

For new member Zoe Bigham, combining strong academics with a passion for service is just part of who she is.

“I’m a senior here at Ole Miss, and I was really excited about the initiative for the food drive, because I actually started my own nonprofit organization back when I was 15, called Zoe’s Closet, and our initiative was to actually start canned food drives,” Bigham said. “So, I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, this hits so close to home,’ and I was so excited to be able to get here today.”

In addition to recognizing students’ scholastic achievements, the society emphasizes the importance of applying knowledge toward the betterment of communities. Members participate in projects ranging from promoting literacy to feeding the hungry, fostering a sense of purpose and responsibility.

“I love giving back to the community and Grove Grocery, it’s such a great organization,” new member Elaina Rubenstein said.

Founded in 1897 at the University of Maine, Phi Kappa Phi is one of the oldest and most prestigious honor societies in the United States. The society, with its motto “Let the love of learning rule humanity,” brings together students from diverse academic backgrounds.

The University of Mississippi chapter, established in 1959, inducts more than 250 students each year.

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