KINGSVILLE (May 10, 2016) — The inaugural class of the Texas A&M University-Kingsville Phi Kappa Phi chapter were initiated Tuesday, April 26. Phi Kappa Phi is the nation’s oldest and most selective all-discipline collegiate honor society.

A total of 109 students were initiated in a ceremony that took place at Texas A&M-Kingsville.

Among those new initiated was James B. (Bryce) Martin of Salado.

The fledgling Texas A&M-Kingsville chapter became the 332nd chapter of Phi Kappa Phi earlier this semester on Feb. 1. Phi Kappa Phi is represented on campuses in the United States and the Philippines. The group’s first chapter was founded in 1897 at the University of Maine.

Every year, about 30,000 students, faculty, professional staff and alumni are initiated into the society nationwide. Membership in Phi Kappa Phi is by invitation only to the top 7.5 percent of juniors and the top 10 percent of seniors and graduate students, along with faculty, professional staff and alumni who have achieved scholarly distinction.

Officers elected by the chartering group to serve the Texas A&M-Kingsville chapter include President Dr. Nestor Sherman, kinesiology; President-elect Dr. Kathleen Rees, human sciences; Secretary Dr. Susan Roberson, language and literature; and Treasurer Dr. Richard Miller, psychology.