Phi Kappa Phi Names Its Scholar and Artist of Year
Posted on December 2, 2025
The University of South Alabama’s chapter of the Pi Kappa Phi Honor Society has inducted its 2025-2026 Scholar and the Artist of the Year. The scholar and artist are selected from South’s faculty based on their achievements that exemplify the high ideals of Phi Kappa Phi.
Dr. Sean Powers, director of the Stokes School of Marine and Environmental Sciences, has been named Scholar of the Year. Dr. Peter Wood, a professor of trumpet in the Department of Music, was selected as the Artist of the Year.
"The South Alabama chapter of Phi Kappa Phi is honored to recognize Dr. Sean Powers as our 2026 Phi Kappa Phi Scholar of the Year for his important research and conservation activity, and the incredible growth of the Stokes School of Marine and Environmental Sciences," said Dr. Laura Moore, chair of the Department of Music and president of South's Phi Kappa Phi chapter. "Dr. Peter Wood is our 2026 Phi Kappa Phi Artist of the Year, in recognition of his creative activity in trumpet performance, masterclasses, and recordings, as well as his contributions to his professional organization in serving as the editor of the International Trumpet Guild Journal for over a decade."
Student membership into Phi Kappa Phi is by invitation only.
The top 7.5% of juniors, based on their number of completed credits, and the top 10% of seniors and graduate students are invited into the honor society. These students have opportunities for national awards, fellowships, student leadership in the chapter and service opportunities on campus and in the community.
Initiates from the College of Arts and Sciences are Emily Brainard, Ashley Buffington, Benjamin Cusick, Amya Douglas, Zachary Ford, Josue Guevara, Alexandra Harvey, Branah Jones, Sarah Lambeth, Marley Lanier, Mary Helene Marmande, Jonathan Mason, Joshua Nelson, Morgan Patterson, Brian Selke, Anna Shirley, Daniel Smith, Elizabeth Snow, Anthony Vallecillo, Abigail Ward and Samantha Yates.
