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A&S Students Part of 32 Members, 1 Honorary Member Inducted Into Phi Beta Kappa

By Aaron Porter

The University of Kentucky chapter of Phi Beta Kappa recently inducted 32 new members, as well as a special honorary member, into the nation's oldest and widely recognized academic honor society.

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 more than 50 associations that create friendship and learning in members' communities providing a means for members to continue active affiliation with the society after graduation. 

"This cohort will be recognized as having been inducted into the oldest and most prestigious of honoraries in the United States," said Ernie Yanarella, chapter president and UK professor of political science. "The 32 students admitted will join six U.S. presidents, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, W.E.B. DuBois and a host of other intellectuals as part of this national fraternity."

This year, Phi Beta Kappa inducted UK President Eli Capilouto as an honorary member in the society. Yanarella said Capilouto is highly deserving of the honor.

"President Capilouto has improved the intellectual environment of this university, rebuilding much of its infrastructure, elevating and expanding the faculty and student research facilities, student services and teaching classrooms and laboratories across the campus," Yanarella said. 

During the induction ceremony, William Swinford, the president's chief-of-staff, was also awarded a plaque honoring his role as liaison between the Alpha Chapter and the UK administration and designating him "Friend of Phi Beta Kappa."

UK's Phi Beta Kappa chapter is supported by the Chellgren Center for Undergraduate Excellence, which is part of the Division of Student and Academic Life at UK. 

The newest members of UK Phi Betta Kappa are:

  • Hadeel Abdallah
  • Garret Appleman
  • Johannah Ball
  • Katerina Banks
  • Elyse Finance 
  • Kinsey Booker 
  • Spencer Brainard 
  • Aleah Combs 
  • Michael Hamilton 
  • Karli Haubenreiser
  • Hannah Hollowell
  • Hollyann Huber
  • Onyinyechukwu Ibekwe
  • Benjamin Jones 
  • Elizaveta Khenner 
  • Anne Klette
  • Meghana Kudrimoti 
  • Sara Lee
  • Alexander Nguyen 
  • Eric Poore
  • Beau Revlett
  • Caleb Sansoucy
  • Amani Shalash 
  • Michelle Shamore
  • Stephanie Smith 
  • Sarah Smoak
  • Tiana Saint 
  • Lauren Thomas 
  • Elizabeth Van Curen
  • Amaris Wade
  • Savannah Wills 
  • Elizabeth Wnek
  • Olivia Wright
  • Honorary member, President Capilouto 
  • Special Member, Dr. L'lisa Gates 

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 two years running. UK is ranked among the top 30 campuses in the nation for LGBTQ* inclusion and safety and the Chronicle of Higher Education judged us a “Great College to Work for.” 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 three 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.