DENTON, Texas (UNT) -- Michael Young, a recent graduate of the University of North Texas, has received a $5,000 Phi Kappa Phi Graduate Fellowship to continue his education in graduate school.
Young received his degree in English, with a concentration in writing and rhetoric, in May. He will use his fellowship at Pennsylvania State University this fall. He transferred to UNT in 2013 from Tarrant County College, which he credits as the foundation where he found his encouragement to further his education at UNT.
Phi Kappa Phi, with a motto of "Let the love of learning rule humanity," grants membership by invitation only. It is open to students in any academic area who rank in the top of their class. Phi Kappa Phi was created in 1897 at the University of Maine. Its founders wanted to recognize excellence in academia.
Marilyn K. Wiley, the dean in UNT's College of Business and advisor for UNT's chapter of Phi Kappa Phi, has worked closely with Young.
"Michael is an outstanding student whose achievements make him highly deserving of this prestigious scholarship from Phi Kappa Phi, the oldest, largest and most selective honor society open to students of all majors," Wiley said.
To become eligible for a Phi Kappa Phi Fellowship, an active member must have applied to be enrolled as a full-time student in a post-baccalaureate program following graduation. The selection process is heavily influenced by the success of academic achievement during undergraduate record, samples of creative work, service and leadership and letters of recommendation. The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi awards 51 fellowships each year to first year graduate students. Local chapters select one candidate from its many applicants to compete in national organization awards.
During the last three years, Young has received $50,000 in scholarships for his academics. Earlier this year, he received an Elva Bell McLin Senior Scholarship from the Sigma Tau Delta: English honors society.
At UNT, Young was a tutor and a member of the Ronald E. McNair Scholars Program and a tutor for the UNT Writing Lab. He was also a member of the Honors College and a UNT Terry Scholar. He was most recently chosen for the Mary E. Whitten Outstanding Undergraduate in English Award from UNT's Department of English.
He plans to pursue his master's and doctoral degree in English with concentration in rhetoric and writing at Pennsylvania State University, where he was awarded the McCourtney Family Distinguished Graduate Fellowship.