South Students Receive Phi Kappa Phi National Competitive Awards

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Posted on August 18, 2023

Logan Gatlin

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Two students from the University of South Alabama, Ivy Nguyen and Addison Stevens, have both received prestigious national awards from the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society for their postgraduate and graduate studies.

Phi Kappa Phi is an honor society dedicated to promoting academic excellence. Annually, the national association awards $1.3 million to students, chapters, members, and institutions in scholarships and grants across academic disciplines that encompass sciences and the arts.

Nguyen graduated in the spring of 2023 and will be enrolled in the Frederick P. Whiddon College of Medicine at South. She graduated with a bachelor's degree in biomedical sciences and a minor in math. She plans on being a physician after graduate school. She was awarded the $20,000 Marcus L. Urann Fellowship, named after the founder of Phi Kappa Phi.

Nguyen is enthusiastic about this achievement and already has plans past medical school.

“I was stunned when I received the news from Dr. Sally Steadman that I was selected as a Marcus L. Urann Fellow and I am excited to continue my education at South,” Nguyen said. “Once I am a physician, I hope to serve the local Mobile community and give back to it as much as it has given to me.”

Stevens completed her studies this summer for a bachelor’s degree in biomedical sciences. She was awarded a $1,000 Phi Kappa Phi grant to study abroad. She just finished her study abroad trip to Grantham, England at Harlaxton College. During her gap year, she plans on applying to medical school while also working as an advanced EMT.

Stevens shared her reason for studying abroad and how it will help her in the future.

 “I wanted to visit famous landmarks and see the beautiful architecture of the buildings, which is vastly different from the United States,” Stevens said. “I was also motivated to enroll in the British Contributions of Science and Medicine study abroad course in the UK because I believe this course correlates with my desire to become a physician.”

Brenda Beverly, current president of the USA Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society Chapter, is very excited about the current and future success of Nguyen and Stevens.

“We are proud to have had the opportunity to work with Ivy Nguyen during her undergraduate degree,”  Beverly said. “Her application for the Phi Kappa Phi national fellowship reflected her superior academic achievements and her unique background as a first-generation college student. Ivy is highly deserving, and we are really thrilled for her to receive this support.”

 “Addison was selected for a Phi Kappa Phi Study Abroad Grant following a national competition,” she said. “We know the value in study abroad for expanding critical skills in cultural responsiveness and collaborative practice, and we are delighted to see Addison pursue this as a step toward her medical school goals.”

Phi Kappa Phi welcomes eligible students to become active in the campus chapter of the honor society, which encourages and supports student excellence in all areas of undergraduate and graduate education at the University of South Alabama.

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