The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi was founded in 1897 at the University of Maine at Orono, originally called the Lambda Sigma Eta Society. About a year later, the name was changed to the Morrill Society, in honor of Justin Morrill, the man who sponsored the Congressional Act which provided for land grant colleges. In 1900, it became a national society with charter chapters at the University of Maine, at Orono, the University of Tennessee, and Pennsylvania State College (now Pennsylvania State University). The society again changed its name, this time to Phi Kappa Phi, the first letters of the words of the motto: Philosphia Kratei Photon (Let the love of learning rule mankind.) Chapter 041 was installed at Michigan State in 1924. Although the administrators were not enthusiastic about fraternities and other institutions which emphasized social elitism, the climate was fast becoming right for the establishment of a scholastic honorary on campus. Many of the educators who came to Michigan State were already members of Phi Kappa Phi, and felt that there should be a chapter on campus. As a result of this interest, a chapter was finally formed here in 1927. The Michigan State University Chapter of Phi Kappa Phi has been very active in the promotion of academic excellence, both at the university and in the academic community at large. To help promote this ideal, the society has participated in service projects in each of these spheres. The projects include the installation of a display case in the lobby of the main library which lists the honorary societies at Michigan State University, and the sponsorship of a symposium, "Energy and Life," to which the general public was invited. Phi Kappa Phi is composed of juniors and seniors with exceptionally high grade point averages. Faculty members can also be elected by their peers. Each year, the society holds a banquet, at which the new members are initiated and several freshman and sophomores are honored for academic excellence. Phi Kappa Phi also distinguishes members of the community at large with honorary memberships or special citations. The society also sponsors fellowship awards for graduate students. Publications include a newsletter, on both a national and local scale, and a journal published by the national office.