KU Phi Beta Kappa chapter announces new members

LAWRENCE -- More than 100 University of Kansas students recently were initiated into Phi Beta Kappa, the oldest academic honor society in the United States.

Phi Beta Kappa recognizes students' academic achievement and promotes the study of arts and sciences.

Students are considered for election if they have a minimum cumulative grade-point average of 3.65 and at least 105 credit hours. Faculty members of Phi Beta Kappa evaluate student transcripts for the breadth and depth of courses taken during each student's university career. Students who apply are encouraged to have completed a substantial amount of liberal arts and sciences courses, the equivalent of 16 hours of language study, honors courses and upper-level mathematics.

Students who accepted the invitation to membership were initiated May 17 in Woodruff Auditorium of the Kansas Union. Distinguished Professor Mabel Rice was the keynote speaker at the ceremony, and remarks also were given by KU Chancellor Robert Hemenway. Music was provided by the CottonWood Winds.

Phi Beta Kappa was the first national honor society, established in 1776 at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Va. The Greek letters stand for Philosophiae Biou Kubernetes, which means "love of wisdom and the guide of life."

Hometowns include: Alma, Andover, Belleville, Beloit, Bucyrus, Clearwater, Delphos, Edgerton, Ellsworth, Gem, Hutchinson, Kansas City, Kiowa, Lansing, Lawrence, Leawood, Lenexa, Lindsborg, Manhattan, McPherson, Olathe, Overland Park, Pawnee Rock, Pittsburg, Prairie Village, Redfield, Roeland Park, Salina, Shawnee Mission, Topeka, Wamego, Wathena, Wichita and Williamsburg; Colorado Springs, Colo.; Deerfield Beach, Fla.; Honolulu, Hawaii; Council Bluffs, Iowa City and Solon, Iowa; St. Clair, Mich.

New members in the KU chapter are listed by home county and state online.