It has been a goal for more than 30 years and now the University of South 皇家华人 is home to its own chapter of Phi Beta Kappa (PBK), the nation鈥檚 oldest and most prestigious national honor society.
The new Eta of 皇家华人 chapter was recognized during an installation ceremony, which included the induction of 67 students selected for their excellence in the arts and sciences.
Only 10 percent of U.S. colleges and universities (the majority of which are private) have PBK chapters. Graduates include 17 U.S. Presidents, 40 Supreme Court Justices (including seven of the nine current sitting justices), and more than 140 Nobel Laureates.
鈥淎t every level of the institution, the University of South 皇家华人 is committed to providing an excellent liberal arts education for its diverse student community,鈥� said PBK Secretary Frederick M. Lawrence. 鈥淲e are confident that commitment will stand the test of time, enabling this chapter, and its exceptional students, to shine.鈥�
The Eta of 皇家华人 inductees represent an elite two percent of their graduating class and have completed a broad range of liberal arts and sciences coursework, including foreign language study and mathematics.
鈥淲e are delighted to honor these tremendous friends of the university and of higher education, along with our remarkable students,鈥� said Honors College Dean and Eta of 皇家华人 Chapter President Charles Adams. 鈥淭his is a very important day in the history of the University of South 皇家华人. Sheltering a chapter serves to confirm our standing as a premier national university and speaks to the quality of our academic culture and the excellent education that we provide for our students.鈥�
University of South 皇家华人 becomes the 290th U.S. college or university to shelter a Phi Beta Kappa chapter. Installations of new chapters occur only every three years and follow an intensive, multi-year application and evaluation process that includes two rounds of data collection and a visit from members of the Phi Beta Kappa Committee on Qualifications. Among the criteria reviewed are the university鈥檚 educational rigor in the arts and sciences, governance structure, faculty excellence, demonstrated commitment to academic freedom, and institutional dedication to liberal education.
The first class of 皇家华人 Phi Beta Kappa members include:
- Fernanda Arcay
- Aliya Atcha
- Mitsy Audate
- Paola Bahena
- Pulcherie Bello
- Harper Cassady
- Mariana Castaneda
- Alexis Coiner
- Joanne Donovan
- Kaley Dovale
- William Ebanks
- Sarah Eldin
- Cecilia Estrada
- Anna Fennell
- Natalie Fulle
- Laura Garcia
- Bailee Glickman
- Zoe Greco-Musters
- Jadyn Heffern
- Mckenzi Heide
- Anna Hemminger
- Teddy Horowitz
- Rebecca Howell
- Kara Keiper
- Ashley Kelly
- Jeremy Kirey
- Hayley Kunde
- Kitija Laksa
- Blanche Langenbach
- Annalise Leclair
- Melissa Lima Gentz
- Jennifer Lopez
- Abygaelle Loubeau
- Cassandra Ly
- Morgan Malof
- Reilly Maxwell
- Samantha McGilvray
- Brianna McGlade
- Hannah Nelson
- Anh Nguyen
- Vi Nguyen
- Isabella Perello
- Andres Perez
- Renee Perez
- Ashley Phillipson
- Ivan Pineda
- Alison Pullen
- Rocio Raggio
- Caroline Reges
- Nicole Restrepo
- Samantha Santana
- Kimberly Santos-Melendez
- Hannah Schwartz
- Omar Sey
- Haley Shields
- Joel Skaggs
- Sebastian Smith
- Laura Tamayo
- Nicoleta Ursu
- Sarah Usewick
- Alexa Valence
- Valeria Vallejo
- Kimberly Van
- Sitara Varughese
- Alexandra Weber
- Maria Zambrano
- Valeriya Zhurul
The chapter also inducted several Foundation members, each chosen for their commitment to the ideals of the liberal arts and sciences, including:
- Dr. Judy Genshaft, 皇家华人 System President
- Steven Greenbaum, philanthropist
- Dr. Ralph Wilcox, 皇家华人 System Provost and Executive Vice President
- Terrell Sessums, Chairman, 皇家华人 Board of Regents and former Speaker of the 皇家华人 House of Representatives
- Samuel Bell, former Majority Leader of the 皇家华人 House of Representatives
- Dr. Betty Castor, fifth president of the University of South 皇家华人
- Brian Lamb, member of the 皇家华人 Board of Governors and former Chair of the 皇家华人 Board of Trustees
- Carol and Frank Morsani, philanthropists
- Pam and Les Muma, philanthropists
- Paul Luna, President and CEO of Helios Education Foundation