UK’s Phi Beta Kappa chapter inducts 49 new members
LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 27, 2026) —The University of Kentucky’s Phi Beta Kappa chapter inducted 37 new members into the prestigious academic honor society March 24, and 12 new members in December 2025. This year’s induction ceremony in the Lewis Honors College Scholars Lounge featured a keynote address from Ana Franco-Watkins, Ph.D., dean of UK’s College of Arts and Sciences.
“Election to Phi Beta Kappa marks an important milestone in your academic journey. It reflects the curiosity, discipline and persistence that brought you here — and your willingness to engage deeply with ideas throughout your education,” Franco-Watkins told inductees. “Achievements like this reflect both what you have learned and how you have challenged yourselves to think critically, explore new perspectives and grow as scholars.”
“In this, the 100th anniversary of the founding of the UK Chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, its core value has never been more important or relevant: education that fosters scientific inquiry, liberty of conscience, critical thinking and creative endeavor for all,” said Pearl James, Ph.D., UK’s Phi Beta Kappa chapter president “We celebrate this value and the students who have worked so hard to pursue it. Our new members have achieved excellence not just in their majors but across disciplinary boundaries, and we recognize them for their wide-ranging intellectual curiosity. They have made the most of their opportunities to learn here at UK.”
Celebrating excellence in the liberal arts and sciences, Phi Beta Kappa is the oldest and most prestigious honor society and opens many doors throughout members’ careers. It contributes to opportunities for lifelong learning and rounded lives outside of a 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.
Lewis Honors College senior and new Phi Beta Kappa inductee Zoe McComas reflected on what the honor means to her.
“Being a member to me means that I am a part of a community dedicated to learning, curiosity and academia, which is extremely exciting,” McComas said. “After graduation, I'll be able to engage with this community fully and remain in the loop on resources, events, and other opportunities.”
The UK Chapter of Phi Beta Kappa invites any faculty, staff and graduate students who are Phi Beta Kappa members to get involved with the campus chapter. With an invigorated presence on campus, the organization can develop campus-wide programming and take advantage of opportunities offered by the national office, such as its visiting scholars program. Anyone interested in engaging with the chapter or receiving chapter communications, contact James at pearl.james@uky.edu. For more information on UK’s Phi Beta Kappa chapter, visit honors.uky.edu/phi-beta-kappa.
The Spring 2026 inductees are (LHC denotes membership in Lewis Honors College):
College of Arts and Sciences
- Hayden Arnold, LHC
- Peyton Ash, LHC
- Brooklyn Autenrieth
- Luke Brown
- Blake Byer, LHC
- Holly Cason
- Allison Condra, LHC
- Matthew Corbett, LHC
- Kennedy Cox
- Mia Dabrowski
- McKenna Dowell, LHC
- Carter Eckhardt, LHC
- Nicole Ellison
- Belinda Garcia, LHC
- Leah Greenberg, LHC
- Haley Griebel, LHC
- Skylar Hansil
- Lexie Hayes
- Emily Hudson
- Jazmin Jordan
- Walter Kunnmann, LHC
- Maddie Larimore
- Kara Bane Luckett, LHC
- Siena Marrazzo
- Zachary McComas, LHC
- Zoe McComas, LHC
- Kara Merker
- Lauren Moore
- Tucker Payne
- Spencer Payton
- Alex Peterson
- Crissa Portis
- Margaret Sansoucy, LHC
- Gabby Shish
- Eric Sidhu
College of Communication and Information
- Reese Durham
- Riley Jeschke
The Fall 2025 inductees are:
College of Arts and Sciences
- Nicole Baker
- Josephine Bernier
- Ava Furcolow
- Christian Garrett
- Russell Glass Jr.
- Mariah Moore
- Lilly Morrison
- Scout Niemeyer
- Alyssa Nocero, LHC
- Ryan Schmitt
- Ayshe Yeter
College of Social Work
- Kat Wells
UK’s Phi Beta Kappa Alpha Chapter is supported by the Lewis Honors College and the Office of the President.
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.