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President's Message by Edmond Ko Even though the event took place over half a year ago, I still remember with fondness our spring initiation ceremony. On May 17, nearly 200 family members came and helped us welcome about 80 students into our chapter. The turnout was so great that at one time we were running out of food and chairs! Dr. Ronald Johnson, the Northeastern Region Vice-President of Phi Kappa Phi, was kind enough to make a special trip to our campus to preside over the ceremony. And now we are ready to recognize another group of faculty and students in our fall meeting on December 4. One of the new members will be Ken Keeling, head of our Music School, who has graciously agreed to perform for us at the ceremony. I am happy to report that, with the strong endorsement of the Executive Committee, our chapter is going to support an award that recognizes outstanding research or creative work of Carnegie Mellon undergraduates. Although details have yet to be worked out, the most likely mechanism will be through the undergraduate research symposium that takes place each May. Such an award is totally consistent with the spirit of Phi Kappa Phi (to celebrate and reward excellence) and should enhance our presence on campus. Elsewhere in this newsletter you will find a report from Kathleen Minadeo Johnson, who represented our chapter in the Centennial Celebration of Phi Kappa Phi that was held in New Orleans in the summer. Kathy brought back many wonderful ideas, as you would expect from someone who has been so committed to and supportive of our chapter activities since its reinstatement. As my term is drawing to a close, I would like to thank Kathy, as well as other chapter officers, for (frankly) doing all the work. It really has been great fun working with these dedicated people over the past year. Many challenges and opportunities lie ahead for our chapter, and I wish Mark Mentzer the best as he assumes the presidency at our fall meeting. Enjoy the rest of your semester and, if I don't see you in December, have a restful and joyous winter break. |