BRADLEY NEWCOMER

NEW SOCIETY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND CEO

WELCOMING THE (NEW)COMER

2022 came with a lot of exciting changes, including a new Society Executive Director and CEO. Bradley Newcomer assumed stewardship of the Society on Jan. 18, making him the 12th individual to hold the position since 1900. The appointment came at an exciting time for the Society as it kicked off celebrations of its 125th anniversary.

“Bradley's record of service to the Society, his deep knowledge of higher education trends, his commitment and experience in honors education, and his outgoing, collaborative style all make him an ideal addition to Phi Kappa Phi's leadership,” Society Past President Dan Sandweiss said in announcing Newcomer’s appointment. The search committee that fielded candidates for the national board included Sandweiss, President Lora Becker as chair, and previous Past President Missy Hopper.

“This is a once-in-a-career opportunity to align my deep commitment to supporting academic excellence across all academic disciplines to the national stage,” Newcomer told the search committee when he sought the post.

Newcomer was initiated into Phi Kappa Phi in 2012 at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and came to the national office from James Madison University, where he served as president of the JMU chapter and founding dean of the Honors College.

AUSTIN PEAVY G.H.O.S.T. EVENT

For nearly 20 years, the Phi Kappa Phi chapter at Austin Peay State University has focused its service efforts on promoting literacy and the joy of reading to the children and families in its community. Each year, it hosts the Candy for the Mind event that takes place at G.H.O.S.T., the university’s annual safe trick-or-treating event. The chapter collects new and gently used children’s books throughout the year and aids each child at the event to select a book that interests them. Over the years, the chapter has received several Phi Kappa Phi Literacy Grants that have enabled them to fill in gaps so they can provide a wide variety of children’s books, from board books for babies to chapter books for preteens and teenagers. This year, approximately 1,500 books were handed out to attendees.

“We have many families that return year after year to our table to share in the joyful tradition,” said APSU chapter historian and social media chair Karen D. Sorenson.

Mark Carpentieri

(Clarion University of Pennsylvania), president of M.C. Records, was nominated for two 2022 Grammy Aways in the category of Traditional Blues. The nominations are for the recordings “Take Me Back” by Kim Wilson and “Be Ready When I Call You” from Guy Davis. The record label is celebrating its 30th anniversary.

KIM MULKEY

(Louisiana Tech University) won the 2022 Associated Press National Coach of the Year award. This is Mulkey's third time to earn the award though her first win as the women's basketball coach at Louisiana State University.

RUTH NICHOLS

(Florida Institute of Technology) was named a 2022 Astronaut Scholar.

The Astronaut Scholarship Foundation awards the scholarship to students who are among the best and brightest STEM students in the country.

Sergio Cristian Lozano

(The University of Kansas) was among 40 high-achieving pathologists, pathology residents, and medical laboratory professionals under age 40 who were named to the prestigious 2022 American Society for Clinical Pathology 40 Under Forty list. ASCP shines a light on those who have made significant contributions to the profession and stand out as leaders who will help shape the future of pathology and laboratory medicine on behalf of patients.

TANAE LEWIS (North Carolina

A&T State University) has made history as A&T’s first Goldwater Scholar to also be named an Astronaut Scholar – the first from a historically Black college or university to achieve this dual recognition.

Overcomer

After a couple of attempts at college, Phi Kappa Phi member Frank Spurley thought maybe it wasn’t the path for him. In 1989, he started as an architectural major, but the courses were not what he envisioned, so he dropped out. Years later, he attempted to return to earn an electrical engineering degree but digressed as the driving force was simply not there.

Despite not completing his degrees, he excelled on the professional level as a computer-aided design manager, and became his company’s information technology guru. After exploring IT and discovering his passion for the field, Spurley took a leap of faith and started his academic journey again, completing his associate degree and most recently his bachelor's degree from the University of Maryland Global Campus.

“I realized that all of my previous attempts at college were for the wrong field,” Spurley said. “Now that I was in a field I enjoyed, learning about that field was more fun.”

As a reminder of his achievements, Spurley often refers back to his archived course materials fueling his determination to keep going. When asked what advice he would give to returning students like himself, Spurley says, “Keep your eye on the prize and believe in yourself.”

Self-doubt and challenging courses may have detoured Spurley as he navigated his academic path, but it didn’t stop him from exploring and making it to his destination.

Tiara Abraham wants to be a professional opera and classical concert singer one day, perhaps teaching after her performance career is over. By most yardsticks, she’s well ahead of schedule in pursuing her goals.

Abraham, who’s 17, was taking college classes at 7. She graduated from high school at 13, enrolled at University of California-Davis as its youngest Regents Scholar at 14, and graduated from the university at 16 – the same year she was initiated into Phi Kappa Phi. Today, she’s pursuing a master’s degree in voice at the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University Bloomington, with plans to secure a doctorate after that.

Abraham, who grew up with her family in Sacramento, California, comes from a household of high achievers. Her brother, Tanishq Abraham, joined the Society in 2018 at age 14. Tanishq also began taking college classes at 7, graduated high school at 10, and got a bachelor of science degree at 15 from UC-Davis, where, at 19, he's now pursuing a doctorate in biomedical engineering.

Both Tiara and Tanishq credit their parents, Bijou and Taji Abraham, with helping them pursue their dreams at an early age. Tanishq and Tiara credit each other with inspiring their achievements, too.

“I am proud to be part of a distinguished group of scholars who have achieved academic excellence in their respective fields,” Tanishq said of his membership in Phi Kappa Phi. “I am honored to be recognized for my hard work and dedication to learning.”

“Being a Phi Kappa Phi member means that my hard work and passion for learning are recognized,” Tiara Abraham said. “I truly believe in the Phi Kappa Phi motto: ‘Let the love of learning rule humanity.’”

WE ASKED OUR MEMBERS WHY THEY JOINED PHI KAPPA PHI.

Catherine Jermany

THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI

“The best part of Phi Kappa Phi is the Society's support for continued education and professional development.”

Mark Zuppichini

THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT DALLAS

“The best part of Phi Kappa Phi is how they actually make a difference in their members' lives by providing significant financial support to those who need it.”

JULIA BENEDITH

FORDHAM UNIVERSITY

“I love the quarterly journal. It helps me to stay current on what's happening in various fields, and it's also a way in which I feel a sense of belonging within our community.”

Beverly Leitelt

GEORGIA SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY-ARMSTRONG CAMPUS

“There are so many amazing elements to Phi Kappa Phi, including the networking and educational opportunities, the Phi Kappa Phi community, amazing discounts to major brands and companies, scholarship opportunites, the Phi Kappa Phi Forum magazine, and so many other great things. It is hard to say which one is the best part.”