LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 19, 2020) — The University of Kentucky chapter of Phi Beta Kappa recently inducted 32 new members into the prestigious academic honor society. This year’s induction ceremony, originally scheduled for April 22, was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Twenty-four students list the College of Arts & Sciences as their primary college.
Celebrating excellence in the liberal arts and sciences, Phi Beta Kappa elects more than 15,000 new members a year from 270 chapters across the United States. There are also nearly 50 alumni associations across the country that allow members to continue active affiliation with the society after graduation.
“Phi Beta Kappa is the nation's oldest and most prestigious academic honor society, and these students’ induction is a testament to their hard and fruitful academic labors during their time at UK,” said Philip Harling, chapter president and UK professor of history. “It’s an honor they’ve richly deserved, and it’s a great pleasure to recognize their achievements in this way.”
The chapter's new inductees are: Christopher Adams, Lucas Barrett, Sydney Blocker, George Boyd, IV, Eliot Bradshaw, Jacob Bruce, Callum Case, Madison Cissell, Brandon Coty, Katelyn Cox, Jada Green, Lauren Greene, Michael Hasis, Emily Huffman, Jenna Jodts, Hayley Leach, Caylee Marshall, Matthew Morse, Jacqulyn Noffsinger, Cathryn Perini, Emily Popham, Presley Ramey, Stewart Ramsey, Rafael Roberts, Alyssa Rosenzweig, Kayla Sanchez, Derris Stanland, Haley Steele, Aileen Tierney, Katharine Van Pelt, David Williams and Garrison Wright.
UK's Phi Beta Kappa chapter is supported by the Chellgren Center for Undergraduate Excellence in the Division of Student and Academic Life.
The University of Kentucky is increasingly the first choice for students, faculty and staff to pursue their passions and their professional goals. In the last two years, Forbes has named UK among the best employers for diversity, and INSIGHT into Diversity recognized us as a Diversity Champion three years running. UK is ranked among the top 30 campuses in the nation for LGBTQ* inclusion and safety. UK has been judged a “Great College to Work for" two years in a row, and UK is among only 22 universities in the country on Forbes' list of "America's Best Employers." We are ranked among the top 10 percent of public institutions for research expenditures — a tangible symbol of our breadth and depth as a university focused on discovery that changes lives and communities. And our patients know and appreciate the fact that UK HealthCare has been named the state’s top hospital for four straight years. Accolades and honors are great. But they are more important for what they represent: the idea that creating a community of belonging and commitment to excellence is how we honor our mission to be not simply the University of Kentucky, but the University for Kentucky.