AU inducts new members into Phi Beta Kappa chapter

The Phi Beta Kappa Society, one of the oldest and most prestigious honor societies in the United States, inducted 24 new members into the Alfred University chapter April 16 in Susan Howell Hall.

Founded in 1776 by five students at the College of William and Mary, Phi Beta Kappa celebrates excellence in liberal arts and sciences. Only about 10 percent of the nations’ colleges and universities are selected for Phi Beta Kappa membership and of these institutions, only about 10 percent of arts and science graduates are selected for membership. Membership into the Phi Beta Kappa Society is for life.

According to professor Melissa Ryan, new members are selected by a committee of Alfred University’s Phi Beta Kappa chapter members, who solicit nominations from the whole faculty and scrutinize the transcripts of all eligible students. To be inducted, students need a GPA of at least 3.5 (for seniors) or 3.75 (for juniors). Students need to show breadth in their academic program; the kind of wide-ranging intellectual interests that a liberal arts education promotes. They must have at least an intermediate level of proficiency in a foreign language, as well as a competency in mathematics

“We prefer students who've had advanced math,” Ryan added.

The inductees of the 2010 Phi Beta Kappa Society are: Stephen Burger, Luci Cohen, Michelle Damcott, Amy DeNisco, Kristine Diesslin, Thomas Fleming, Rachel Gaylord, Logan Goulett, Abigail Griffith, Ann Halbert-Brooks, Meghann Hudson, Matt Johnson, Tory Keith, Joseph Martin, Sofie Miller, Lyndsey Morris, Ben Placek, Samantha Pribish, Laura Reyome, Amanda Sullivan, Jessica Lynn Taylor, and Laura Vaughn.

The induction ceremony was well attended. The new student inductees were supported by friends, faculty, and family.