Sigma Chapter of Phi Zeta

Phi Zeta Website

The Sigma Chapter of Phi Zeta has been established at Kansas State University to recognize and promote scholarships and research pertaining to the welfare and diseases of animals. Student in the final two years of the professional curriculum may be elected to active membership if they meet the following scholastic requirements: 1) In the third year, having achieved a class ranking in the top ten percent, counting grades received since entering veterinary school, and 2) In the fourth year, having achieved a ranking in the top twenty five percent, excluding those already elected to membership.

The primary activity for Phi Zeta is the annual Research Day. The Research Day is designed to showcase the research efforts of faculty, house officers, graduate students, and professional students at the College of Veterinary Medicine. Oral presentations are given on basic or clinic research areas and case reports. It has been increasingly well received, and has grown nicely in recent years in terms of the quantity and quality of presentations. A banquet is held in the evening, featuring the announcement of award winners, and the presentation of the Beecham Research Awards to an outstanding member of our faculty. New members are also initiated at this time.

There are several types of competition which are specifically intended for the veterinary student body. These include presentations in the form of a diagnostic case report by a junior or senior student, a clinical case report by a junior or senior student, and a review article by any veterinary student. This is an excellent forum to develop techniques in writing and oral presentation and a means to inform peers about special clinical and research interests. It promotes continued enthusiasm and support for intramural efforts and strengthens shared research interests. It can provide a chance to practice presentation skills that will be useful throughout your veterinary and scientific career. The quality of submissions last year was outstanding, and we are excited about these new features of the annual Research Day.