Phi Beta Kappa Inducts 19 New Members
LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 13, 2021) — The University of Kentucky chapter of Phi Beta Kappa recently inducted 19 new members into the prestigious academic honor society. This year’s induction ceremony was held virtually Thursday, April 15, 2021.
“I want to congratulate all of our students who are being honored here today for their hard work, their grit, their determination and continuing to maintain the highest standards in their coursework and their campus engagement, even under these extraordinary circumstances,” said Anna Bosch, chapter president, associate dean for undergraduate programs in the College of Arts and Sciences and professor of linguistics, during the induction ceremony. “All of us who join you here today celebrate your accomplishments and stand in awe of your successes. You have every right to feel proud of yourself and your hard work over your entire UK career, but especially considering this past pandemic year.”
Celebrating excellence in the liberal arts and sciences, Phi Beta Kappa is the oldest and the most prestigious honor society that opens many doors over the course of members’ careers. It contributes to opportunities for lifelong learning and rounded lives outside of career. 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.
The 2021 inductees are:
College of Arts and Sciences
Jordan Bernard, Psychology
Sarah Danielle Bombrys, Mathematics
Michael Regan Di Girolamo, Foreign Language and International Economics
Matthew Alexander Friedman, Neuroscience
Usman Zulfiqar Hamid, Psychology
Maria Hyrcza, International Studies
Jaclyn Jamison, Psychology
Gretchin Anika Kepplinger, History
Eleni Digenis Lentsch, Political Science
Sophia Caroline Marcolla, Political Science
Laura Jean McAllister, Environmental and Sustainability Studies
Anne Marie McAtee, International Studies
Margaret Ann Merrifield, Foreign Language and International Economics
Morgan Rohleder, Mathematics
Sarah Hunter Ross, Psychology
Asante Ryan Ruiz, Foreign Language and International Economics
Dakota Oakes Selch, History
Gatton College of Business and Economics
Douglas Wilson Sarasin, Management
College of Engineering
Jacob Thomas Concolino, Chemical Engineering
You may view the spring 2021 virtual ceremony at this link: www.youtube.com/watch?v=4eYkMPqYzOE. UK’s Phi Beta Kappa chapter is supported by the Chellgren Center for Undergraduate Excellence within the Office of the Provost. For more information on membership, contact chellgrencenter@uky.edu.
As the state’s flagship, land-grant institution, the University of Kentucky exists to advance the Commonwealth. We do that by preparing the next generation of leaders — placing students at the heart of everything we do — and transforming the lives of Kentuckians through education, research and creative work, service and health care. We pride ourselves on being a catalyst for breakthroughs and a force for healing, a place where ingenuity unfolds. It's all made possible by our people — visionaries, disruptors and pioneers — who make up 200 academic programs, a $476.5 million research and development enterprise and a world-class medical center, all on one campus.
In 2022, UK was ranked by Forbes as one of the “Best Employers for New Grads” and named a “Diversity Champion” by INSIGHT into Diversity, a testament to our commitment to advance Kentucky and create a community of belonging for everyone. While our mission looks different in many ways than it did in 1865, the vision of service to our Commonwealth and the world remains the same. We are the University for Kentucky.