Kelly Daniels, a recent graduate of University of Delaware, has been awarded a $5,000 Walter and Adelheid Hohenstein Fellowship by the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation's oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines.

Daniels graduated in May with an honors bachelor of science in degree in biochemistry with distinction and a bachelor of arts degree in liberal studies.

Upon graduation, she began studies toward a doctor of medicine degree at the Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University. In addition, Daniels plans to pursue a master of public health degree beginning after her third year. Her Phi Kappa Phi fellowship will go toward her studies.

Daniels is among 57 students nationwide to receive a Phi Kappa Phi fellowship. The selection process is based on applicants’ evidence of graduate potential, undergraduate academic achievement, service and leadership experience, letters of recommendation, personal statement of educational perspective and career goals, and acceptance at an approved graduate or professional program.

Being awarded this fellowship will help Daniels achieve her long-held dream of earning the M.D. and MPH degree.

She plans to work in developing communities, both during and after medical school. Daniels realized her passion for practicing medicine in developing communities at UD, through her consistent involvement in UD’s Alternative Breaks (UDaB) program.

After volunteering in New Orleans, Detroit, and Appalachia through UDaB, she was inspired to pursue medicine on behalf of communities with limited access to care. Her new passion was solidified when she volunteered for the Point Hope health clinic in Ghana before graduating UD.

Daniels is excited to further participate in volunteer efforts during medical school at Thomas Jefferson, particularly through JeffHOPE and Refugee Health Partners. The Phi Kappa Phi fellowship that she was awarded will support her as she pursues her goal of helping people even before she graduates medical school.

Fellowship applications welcomed

The national PKP Fellowship Committee offers 57 fellowships ranging from $5,000 to $15,000 to graduating seniors planning to begin full-time graduate or professional school study in the 2017-18 academic year. Applications are open at the national website Dec. 1.

Since 2010, UD nominees have received fellowships 6 of 7 years. In addition, the UD chapter also offers an award of up to $1000 to the chapter runner-up.

The chapter deadline for this year’s application is March 1. To apply, students may download the application form from the Phi Kappa Phi fellowship page and submit a paper copy of the application to the UD Office of Service Learning.

The fellowship application may be submitted before the applicant has been officially admitted to Phi Kappa Phi, but eligible students must register for membership before April 15, when the chapter submits its finalist to the national office. 

About Phi Kappa Phi

Founded in 1897 at the University of Maine, Phi Kappa Phi is the nation’s oldest, largest, and most selective all-discipline honor society.

The University of Delaware chapter was chartered in 1905 and this year will celebrate its 112th anniversary at its induction ceremony in May. More information is available at Phi Kappa Phi and UD PKP chapter sites.