I’m happy to connect with you in summer, the sunniest time of the year. The days are noticeably bright here at Phi Kappa Phi’s national office, which has a small patio and garden visible from our windows when we gather for staff meetings. What we mostly see are azaleas, their big, pink blooms a welcome feature of the season. Their beauty and vitality are a testament to what the sun can do. They remind us, as we go about our work, of an affirming reality. Put simply, shining a light on what is good is often the best way to help it thrive.

That basic wisdom rests at the heart of Phi Kappa Phi’s mission. We believe that when we put the world’s best learners in the spotlight, we empower them to be their best – and to inspire others to strive for excellence, too. That’s how we’ve built a community of scholars to drive progress around the globe.

Our spotlight is most visible during initiation ceremonies, when new members are welcomed into Phi Kappa Phi. As your executive director and CEO, I’ve been privileged to attend these ceremonies in many places. Being a part of these celebrations never fails to move me.

But recognition within Phi Kappa Phi isn’t a one-time gesture. Through our engagement programs, we work to affirm, applaud, and encourage our members for the rest of their lives. One important platform for doing so is Forum, where we share news of the many good things our members are doing around the planet. We also promote the good work of our Society members on our various social media platforms, including our Link community, available to all active Phi Kappa Phi members at Link.PhiKappaPhi.org.

Phi Kappa Phi’s culture of recognition isn’t simply an exercise in ego, though we all enjoy being celebrated for doing well. In sharing our success stories, we inspire others to climb the ladder, too.

At Phi Kappa Phi, recognition has always been about more than praise. We drive excellence with substantive support, providing more than $1 million in awards and grants each year to ambitious Phi Kappa Phi scholars so that they can deepen their knowledge, conduct research, and serve others. Collectively, through our support of scholarship across all disciplines, we’re a big force for good in the world.

I encourage you to continue your engagement with our mission. Volunteer with your local Phi Kappa Phi chapter, and consider a contribution to help support our award and grant programs. By donating to our Student Opportunity Fund, you can help give academically accomplished students in need access to Phi Kappa Phi membership that would otherwise be out of reach. There’s more information about giving at phikappaphi.org/giving.

I hope that you have a safe, happy, and restful summer. As always, please feel free to reach me with your comments, questions, and suggestions at bnewcomer@phikappaphi.org.