LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 25, 2024) — The University of Kentucky chapter of Phi Beta Kappa recently inducted 22 members into the academic honor society. This year’s induction ceremony was Wednesday, April 17, at the Lewis Honors College Scholars Lounge and featured a keynote address from John Thelin, professor emeritus in the College of Education.
“We are approaching the 100th anniversary of the Alpha Chapter of Phi Beta Kappa and we are enormously proud of the students admitted to our chapter,” said Lynn Hiler, chapter coordinator. “This honor recognizes their hard work and commitment to a liberal arts education in the humanities, social sciences and natural sciences.”
Celebrating excellence in the liberal arts and sciences, Phi Beta Kappa is the oldest and the most prestigious honor society and opens many doors over the course of members’ careers. It contributes to opportunities for life-long learning and rounded lives outside of career, which follows the society’s motto “Love of Learning is the Guide to Life.” Phi Beta Kappa elects more than 15,000 new members a year from 290 chapters across the United States. There are also nearly 50 active alumni associations across the country that allow members to continue active affiliation with the society after graduation.
“It is an incredible honor to be inducted as a member of Phi Beta Kappa,” said Anna Puderbaugh, a recent Phi Beta Kappa inductee. “I am grateful for my professors at the University of Kentucky who have encouraged a genuine love for learning and education in the liberal arts and sciences.”
The 2024 inductees are:
College of Arts and Sciences
- Trinity Grace Adams, Lewis Honors College.
- Malissa Tippavanh Bouakham.
- Eriel N Burns, Lewis Honors College.
- Ryan David Crane.
- Hannah Elaina Croom, Lewis Honors College
- Shria Ananthkumar Holla, Lewis Honors College.
- Hassan K. Kashif, Lewis Honors College.
- Cierra Grace Ledford.
- Christopher Joseph Mattingly.
- Connor Ashton Medley.
- Carleigh Drew Parr, Lewis Honors College.
- Anna Claire Puderbaugh, Lewis Honors College.
- Nicholas Alexander Relich, Lewis Honors College.
- Midori Saito.
- Grayson Elizabeth Soucy.
- Zora Evelyn Woolfolk, Lewis Honors College.
College of Communication and Information
- Richard Nathaniel Lucas.
- Garrett J Wright, Lewis Honors College.
Pigman College of Engineering
- Anna Erpenbeck, Lewis Honors College.
College of Fine Arts
- Avery Anne Schanbacher.
- Sophie Caroline Wingo.
College of Social Work
- Kotomi Selina Yokokura, Lewis Honors College.
UK’s Phi Beta Kappa chapter is supported by the Chellgren Center for Undergraduate Excellence, the Lewis Honors College and the Office of the President. For more information on membership, contact chellgrencenter@uky.edu.