April 23, 2004

OGDEN, Utah - Schaun Wheeler, an anthropology student at Weber State University, has received a $5,000 scholarship from a national honor society.

The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi (PKP) awarded Wheeler one of its national graduate fellowships. He was one of 60 scholars selected from a national pool of candidates submitted by local PKP chapters. An awards committee of officers and members of PKP from around the country selects the winners.

Wheeler, who graduates next month, plans to pursue his Ph.D. in anthropology at the University of Connecticut in the fall. In addition to his studies, he serves as editor-in-chief of the university literary journal, "Metaphor," and as a regular columnist for the student newspaper, "The Signpost."

Associate English professor Susan McKay is president of WSU's chapter of Phi Kappa Phi. She said this is the third time in five years that a member of the WSU chapter has received the scholarship.

"I think our chapter is doing a great job promoting and recognizing academic excellence and helping outstanding students realize opportunities like this fellowship," she said.

The WSU chapter was established in 1971. Phi Kappa Phi is recognized as one of the oldest and most respected national academic honor societies, with more than a million members and 285 chapters throughout the United States, Puerto Rico and the Philippines. The society's mission is to recognize and encourage superior scholarship in all academic disciplines while promoting excellent character and citizenship.

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Contacts: Carl J. Porter, President

Phone:  626-6872

Author: John Kowalewski, director of Media Relations
801-626-7212 · jkowalewski@weber.edu