BROOKINGS – Gamma Kappa, the South Dakota State University chapter of Kappa Psi Pharmaceutical Fraternity, has been honored for its academic achievements during the past school year.

The chapter received the Frank H. Eby Scholarship Tray during the 60th Grand Council convention of Kappa Psi, the oldest and largest pharmacy fraternity, in Phoenix on July 17-21.

This is the seventh time the chapter has been honored among its Kappa Psi peers. The chapter also was honored in 1997, 1998, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2020. In 2022, there are 112 Kappa Psi chapters. 

The award is determined by dividing the number of members in the second and third year of pharmacy school who averaged a 3.00 GPA for fall and spring semesters by the total number of members in each of those academic classes. The chapter with the highest percentage earns the tray. Extra points are awarded for members who graduate at the top of the class and that helped boost the chapter’s score, according to adviser Gary Van Riper.

“Earning this award during the stressful time of the pandemic indicates the quality of members in our chapter and in the professional program of the College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Professions. All alumni of the chapter and the college should be extremely proud of this accomplishment,” he said.

The SDSU collegiate chapter of Kappa Psi was formed in 1958 and currently has 81 members. The graduate chapter was formed in 2008 and has 20 members.

Also at the convention, Van Riper, who has served as adviser or co-adviser of the chapter since 1973, received one of 10 Grand Council Deputy Certificate of Excellence awards. The awards honor chapter advisers for their contributions to their collegiate chapters. Advisers are nominated by the chapter.