Phi Beta Kappa, the nation’s oldest and most honored of all college honorary societies, has inducted 125 University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill students as new members.
This spring’s ceremony featured remarks by UNC Chancellor James C. Moeser, a 2002 honorary Phi Beta Kappa inductee at the University. Each new member received a certificate and a Phi Beta Kappa key, the organization’s symbol.
Phi Beta Kappa membership is open to undergraduates in UNC’s College of Arts and Sciences and professional degree programs who meet stringent eligibility requirements.
A student who has completed 75 hours of course work and has a grade-point average of 3.85 (on a 4-point scale) or better is eligible for membership. Also eligible is any student who has competed 105 hours of course work and has a 3.75 grade-point average. Grades earned at other universities are not considered. Less than one percent of all college students qualify to be members.
Past and present Phi Beta Kappa members from across the country have included 17 American presidents and numerous artistic, intellectual and political leaders. Seven of the current nine U.S. Supreme Court Justices are members.
There are 270 Phi Beta Kappa chapters nationwide. UNC’s chapter, Alpha of North Carolina, was founded in 1904 and is the oldest of six chapters in the state.
Each year, Phi Beta Kappa chapters and alumni associations across the country raise and distribute more than $1 million in awards, scholarships and prizes benefiting high school and college students.
Phi Beta Kappa officers at Carolina for 2007-2008 are students Julia Bobbitt, president; Kathryn Gouzoules, vice president; and Kennan Hedrick, recording secretary. Dr. Robert Lowman, associate vice chancellor for research, is chapter secretary and faculty adviser.
Below, 121 of the inductees are listed alphabetically by North Carolina county, state and country. Four inductees asked that their names not be published. Of those listed, 84 are from North Carolina and 37 are from out of state. An asterisk (*) indicates that a student is listed in more than one location. All inductees are students in the College of Arts and Sciences unless otherwise noted.
NORTH CAROLINA INDUCTEES
Alamance County
Aileen Renee Das, a senior classics major, daughter of Darra Das of Saxapahaw.
Allison Elise Das, a senior classics major, daughter of Darra Das of Saxapahaw.
Alexander County
Jessica Diane Smeeks, a senior anthropology major, daughter of Dr. Frank C. Smeeks and Teresa Smeeks of Taylorsville.
Buncombe County
Diana Robin Gergel, a junior history and political science major, daughter of Randy S. and Linda W. Gergel of Asheville.
Jesse Tyler White, a senior chemistry major, son of David White of Asheville and Laurie Monroe of Arden.
Cabarrus County
Jason Conrad Strein, a junior biology major, son of Donald and Dawn Strein of Harrisburg.
Carteret
Sonya Purushothaman, a senior biology major, daughter of Dr. C. V. Purushothaman and Sarasa Purushothaman of Newport.
Chatham County
*Rachel Helen Rockett, a senior Spanish and Latin American studies major, daughter of Gregory S. Rockett of Pittsboro and Tracey C. Rockett of Richmond, Va.
Craven County
Landon Charles Meekins, a junior chemistry major, son of Charles and Bettina Meekins of New Bern.
Corban David Teague, a senior political science and peace, war and defense major, son of Barry D. and Kimberly B. Teague New Bern.
Cumberland County
Jonathan Joseph Lesica, a junior history major, son of Dr. John Lesica and Catherine Lesica of Fayetteville.
Davidson County
*Jennifer Ruth Melton, a junior international studies major, daughter Chuck Melton of Lexington and Diane Simon of Kernersville.
Wiley Livingston Smith, a junior music major, son of E. Thompson and Janet J. Smith of Thomasville.
Durham County
Carina Daniela Cortese, a junior dramatic arts and philosophy major, daughter of Jorge Cortese of Durham and Laura Voglino of Durham.
*Rachel Alison Harper, a junior biology major, daughter of Theodore Harper of Durham and Rebecca Harper of Cary.
Matthew Thomas Marriott, a senior political science major, son of William J. and Dolores S. Marriott of Durham.
Quentin Daniel Read, a junior environmental science major in the College of Arts and Sciences and the Institute for the Environment, son of Daniel F. Read and Maria J. Mangano of Durham.
Eleanor Farley Saunders, a junior biology and Latin American studies major, daughter of Barry and Susan Saunders of Durham.
Jessie Laurie Schmitz, a junior Latin American studies major, daughter of Bob Schmitz and Amy Csorba of Durham.
*Dorothy Ruth Scott, a junior biology major, daughter of Phillis Scott of Durham and R. Keith Scott of Alpharetta, Ga.
Hope Farrior Thompson, a junior economics and contemporary European studies major, daughter of James and Susan F. Thompson of Durham.
Forsyth County
Victoria Manova Fulton, a junior American studies major, daughter of Paul L. and Vera Vrsecky Fulton of Winston-Salem.
Audrey Lillian Gauss, a junior international studies and German major, daughter of Timothy M. and Janet Kramer Gauss of Winston-Salem.
Kelly Ann Giles, a junior journalism and mass communication major in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication, daughter of Alan and Karen Giles of Winston-Salem.
Russell McOwen Grote, a junior political science major, son of Thomas Howard and Susan C. Grote of Winston-Salem.
Anna Barton Jensen, a Spanish and English major, daughter Mark and Lisa Jensen of Clemmons.
Richard Trent McCotter, a senior economics major, son of Rick and Dinah McCotter of Winston-Salem.
*Jennifer Ruth Melton, a junior international studies major, daughter of Diane Simon of Kernersville and Chuck Melton of Lexington.
Rosanne Victoria Niforos, a junior American studies major, daughter of Alex Niforos and Athena and stepfather Bill Karahalios of Winston-Salem.
Eleanor Winborn Rolfe, a junior chemistry major, daughter of David Gerard Rolfe of Winston-Salem.
Nathaniel Brod Shelness, a junior American studies major, son of Gregory Shelness and Barb Yoza of Winston-Salem.
*Jonathan Ross Shrader, a senior political science major, son of Debra Conrad of Winston-Salem and Michael Shrader of Waxhaw.
Guilford County
Catherine Wright Kimel, a senior English and political science major, daughter of Jim and Cathy Kimel of Greensboro.
Alan Shu Liu, a junior physics major, son of Z.J. and Jian-Ying of Greensboro.
Christopher “Michael” Osborne, a senior biology major, son of Christopher and Sherrie Osborne of Gibsonville.
Harnett County
Ashley Marie Barnes, a junior Asian studies major, daughter of Earl R. Barnes Jr. and Donna Marie Barnes of Dunn.
Iredell County
Martha Elizabeth Baker, a senior American studies major, daughter of Bill and Emily Baker of Statesville.
Jackson County
Jonathan Campbell Toledo, a junior physics major, son of Dr. Charles H. Toledo and Janet James of Sylva.
Johnston County
*Justin Taylor Ward, a senior biology major, son of Thomas Ward of Clayton and Terri Ward of Raleigh.
Lenoir County
Graham Barden Berry, a senior psychology major, son of Dr. John Berry and Maryann Berry of Kinston.
Lincoln County
Nicholas David Reid, a junior biology major, son of Robert and Lydia Reid of Lincolnton.
Jesse David Rhodes, a junior biology and psychology major, son of Tracy and Hope Rhodes of Lincolnton.
Mecklenburg County
Michael Hennessy Hutson, a junior political science and history major, son of Benne and Martha Hutson of Charlotte.
Alex Ryckman Mellnik, a junior physics major, son of Ted Mellnik and Pat Ryckman of Charlotte.
Whitney Allison Pierce, a senior religious studies major, daughter of Gary Pierce and Marissa Wells of Charlotte.
Jessica Jewett Raynor, a junior economics and peace, war and defense major, daughter of Ken and Lucy Raynor of Charlotte.
Lauren Danielle Scott, a senior communication studies major, daughter of Jeff Scott and Kathleen Veal of Charlotte.
Katherine Rebecca Stockin, a senior art history major, daughter of Ken and Elsya Stockin of Charlotte.
Brett Cameron Phielps Sturm, a junior history major, son of Warren and Judy Sturm Charlotte.
*George Leland Timmons IV, a senior economics and communication studies major, son of Brenda Bailey of Charlotte and George Leland Timmons III of Hilton Head, S.C.
New Hanover
Kelly Rose Esposito, a junior journalism and mass communication and biology major, daughter of David and Kathleen Esposito of Wilmington. Kelly Esposito is a student in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication and the College of Arts and Sciences.
Kelly Renee Meredith, a senior sociology and Spanish major, daughter of Steve and Loretta Meredith of Wilmington.
Onslow County
Cassidy Anne Rupp, a junior art history major, daughter of Christopher and Clare Rupp of Jacksonville.
Orange County
William Arthur Bernholz, a December 2007 graduate in political science, son of Roger and Farley Bernholz of Chapel Hill.
*Kristin Economo, a senior international studies major, daughter of Helena and Tom O’Connor of Carrboro and George Economo of Raleigh.
Kelly Suzanne Field, a senior political science major, daughter of Fredrick and Sue Field of Chapel Hill.
Mallory B. Konell, a senior psychology major, daughter of Alan Konell and Barbara Conger of Chapel Hill.
*Sean Reed Love, a senior political science major, son of Martin Love of Chapel Hill and Susan Siravo of Cranston, R.I.
Cayley Elizabeth Pater, a junior linguistics major, daughter of Daniel and Barbara Pater of Chapel Hill.
Karl Abraham Shieh, a junior biochemistry and biology major, son of Ting-Wei and Yu-Ming Shieh of Chapel Hill.
Lucas Samuel Stephens, a senior classical archaeology major, son of George and Nancy Stephens of Chapel Hill.
Jacob Wang, a junior economics major, son of Chyoan and Christine Wang of Chapel Hill.
Laura Kathleen Williamson, a senior international studies and English major, daughter of David and Sandy Williamson of Hillsborough.
Hannah Hang Yin, a junior biology and linguistics major, daughter of Ming Yin and Fengling Li of Chapel Hill.
Yan Yan, a junior chemistry major, son of Lubin Yan and Yang Li of Chapel Hill.
Pitt County
Nicholas Andrew Cook, a junior physics and mathematics major, son of Paul and Fiona Cook of Greenville.
Stokes County
Christopher Gene Ogburn, a junior music major, son of Robah and Jeannie Ogburn of Tobaccoville.
Transylvania County
John Seneca Rudd, a senior Asian studies major, son of Ronnie and Cindy Rudd of Brevard.
Union County
*Jonathan Ross Shrader, a senior political science major, son of Michael Shrader of Waxhaw and Debra Conrad of Winston-Salem.
Wake County
*Sarah P. Archer, a junior English major, daughter of Rowland Frank Archer Jr. of Raleigh and Lizbeth Ann Currin of Marietta, Ga.
Andrew Perry Atkins, a senior political science and economics major, son of John D. and Melissa M. Atkins of Raleigh.
Annalee Hooper Bloomfield, a junior economics and Chinese major, daughter of Peter and Diana Bloomfield of Raleigh.
Stephanie Leigh Carrier, a junior biology and Spanish major, daughter Dr. James A. and Terresa R. Carrier of Raleigh.
Nathan Bradford Dixon, a senior English major, son of R. Bradford and Nancy C. Dixon of Cary.
Jacqueline Frances Dorry, a senior linguistics major, daughter of William M. Dorry of Apex and Joyce F. Dorry of Cary.
*Kristin Economo, a senior international studies major, daughter of George Economo of Raleigh and Helena and Tom O’Connor of Carrboro.
*Rachel Alison Harper, a junior biology major, daughter of Rebecca Harper of Cary and Theodore Harper of Durham.
Sean Taylor Hemp, a junior chemistry major, son of Tom and Barbara Hemp of Raleigh.
Orvalle Theodore Kirby IV, a senior business administration major in Kenan-Flagler Business School, son of Ted and Margaret Kirby of Raleigh.
Katy Anne Kirk, a senior biology major, daughter of Charles and Jacqueline Kirk of Raleigh.
*Lisa Anne Kirkley, a senior environmental studies major in the College of Arts and Sciences and the Institute for the Environment, daughter of Robert Kirkley Jr. of Raleigh and Deborah Trent of Little River, S.C.
Michael William McArthur, a junior computer science major, son of Heinz and Cynthia McArthur of Cary.
Joshua Raymond Schwartz, a junior mathematics and physics major, son of Christopher and Carolyn Schwartz of Cary
Allegra Amelia Sinclair, a junior political science and psychology major, daughter of Richard and Rusine Sinclair of Raleigh.
Christopher Weston Stewart II, a senior history major, son of Christopher Stewart of Garner.
Amanda Rose Vaughn, a junior international studies and political science major, daughter of John and Cheri Vaughn of Raleigh.
*Justin Taylor Ward, a senior biology major, son of Terri Ward of Raleigh and Thomas Ward of Clayton.
Meredith Ann Williams, a senior communication studies major, daughter of David and Cindy Williams of Cary.
Anna Christine Wilson, a senior French and English major, daughter of James and Liz Wilson of Cary.
OUT-OF-STATE INDUCTEES
Alabama
Kosha Rajesh Shah, a junior health policy and administration major in the School of Public Health, son of Rajesh and Mina Shah of Huntsville.
California
Tatiana Maureen Hodapp, a junior public policy and French major, daughter of Dan Hodapp and Peggy da Silva of San Francisco.
*Lynnette Kim Miner, a junior political science major, daughter of Clara Miner of Irvine and John Miner of Tampa, Fla..
Colorado
Habib Yazdi, a senior communication studies major, son of Majid Yazdi and Bahareh Momken of Boulder.
Connecticut
Marc Alexander Formeister, a senior English major, son of Frank and Joan Formeister of Somers.
Eric John Formeister, a senior biology major, son of Frank and Joan Formeister of Somers.
David Robert Fox, a junior history and philosophy major, son of Lawrence Fox of and Mary Andrews of West Hartford.
Florida
Leah Renee Gibson, a junior music major, daughter of George B. and Mary Gibson of Orlando.
*Lynnette Kim Miner, a junior political science major, daughter of John Miner of Tampa and Clara Miner of Irvine, Calif.
Gabriella Maria Miyares, a junior English major, daughter of Jorge and Lisa Miyares of Jacksonville.
*Marc Phillip Sanchez, a senior economics major, son of Debra Lozano of Orlando and Manuel Sanchez of Mineola, N.Y.
Katherine Ann Saulpaugh, a senior English major, daughter of Bruce and Betty Saulpaugh of Orlando.
Georgia
*Sarah P. Archer, an English major, daughter of Lizbeth Ann Currin of Marietta and Rowland Frank Archer Jr. of Raleigh, N.C.
Anna-Marie Mansour, a senior information science and communication studies Major, daughter of Mansour M. Mansour and Mona Mansour of Duluth. Anna-Marie Mansour is a student in the School of Information and Library Science and the College of Arts and Sciences.
*Dorothy Ruth Scott, a junior biology major, daughter of R. Keith Scott of Alpharetta and Phillis Scott of Durham, N.C.
Illinois
Katherine Elizabeth Oberembt a junior English and history major, daughter of Randy and Donna Oberembt of Highland Park.
Kansas
Brock Thomas Phillips, a junior environmental science and chemistry major in the College of Arts and Sciences and the Institute for the Environment, son of Christopher and Paula Phillips of Wichita.
Kentucky
Lindsay Coté Donald, a senior communication studies major, daughter of Carrie G. Donald of Louisville.
Louisiana
Callie Bryn Jamar, a senior religious studies major, daughter of Linda Jamar and the late Jim Jamar of Shreveport.
Emily Elizabeth Nix, a junior economics and mathematics major, daughter of William and Violet Nix of New Orleans.
Maryland
Meaghan Elisabeth Jennison, a junior public policy major, daughter of Harry and Beverly Jennison of Silver Spring.
Emily D. Richardson, a junior biology major, daughter of Charles and Anne Richardson of Columbia.
Massachusetts
Joshua A. Kaitz, a junior biochemistry major, son of Nathan and Sally Kaitz of Framingham.
Mississippi
Thomas James Biggs Allin, a junior American studies major, son John and Betty Allin of Jackson.
New Hampshire
Suzanne McCallough Willis, a junior chemistry and history major, daughter of James O. and Ann M. Willis of Amherst.
New Jersey
Catherine Elizabeth Pratt, a senior classical archaeology major, daughter of Susan Ferris of Lebanon and the late John Pratt.
New York
Matthew James Grosso, a junior biology major, son of Dr. James J. Grosso and Denise Grosso of Roslyn.
Katherine Esther Macpherson, a senior journalism and mass communication major in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication, daughter of Daniel and Susan Macpherson of Rochester.
*Marc Phillip Sanchez, a senior economics major, son of Debra Lozano of Orlando, Fla., and Manuel Sanchez of Mineola.
Ira Timothy Smith, a senior English major, son of Todd and Joan Smith of Newark Valley.
Rhode Island
*Sean Reed Love, a senior political science major, son of Susan Siravo of Cranston and Martin Love of Chapel Hill, N.C.
South Carolina
*George Leland Timmons IV, a senior economics and communication studies major, son of George Leland Timmons III of Hilton Head and Brenda Bailey of Charlotte, N.C.
*Lisa Anne Kirkley, a senior environmental studies major in the College of Arts and Sciences and the Institute for the Environment, daughter of Deborah Trent of Little River and Robert Kirkley Jr. of Raleigh, N.C.
Tennessee
Kaicee Leigh Ponds, a senior psychology and biology major, son of Rick and Annette Ponds of Brentwood.
Arden Elise Ratcliff, a junior religious studies and political science major, daughter of Bob and Joan Ratcliff of Franklin.
Sophie Eleanor Solomon, a junior economics and biology major, daughter of Saul and Joan Solomon of Nashville.
Elizabeth Lane Zoeller, a senior biology major, daughter of Joseph and Elaine Zoeller of Kingsport.
Texas
Jonathan David Flaspoehler, a senior peace, war and defense major, son of Kenny and Donna Flaspoehler of San Antonio.
Rachel Katherine Funk, a senior psychology and Spanish major, daughter of John and Karen Funk of Houston.
Kathryn Marie Kirkpatrick, a senior biology major, daughter of C. Stone Kirkpatrick of Richardson and the late M. Jackie Kirkpatrick.
Rachael Kathryn Moïse, a senior psychology major, daughter of Dr. Kenneth J. Moïse Jr. and Karen Y. Moïse of Bellaire.
Virginia
*Rachel Helen Rockett, a senior Spanish and Latin American studies major, daughter of Tracey C. Rockett of Richmond and Gregory S. Rockett of Pittsboro, N.C.
Washington, D.C.
*Amanda Gutierrez, a junior mathematics and public policy major, daughter of Patricia Pittman of Washington, D.C., and Francisco Gutierrez of Argentina.
West Virginia
Gabriel Adam Pollock, a senior biology major, son Dr. Frederic H. Pollock and Dr. Carol D. Freas of Charleston.
Argentina
*Amanda Gutierrez, a junior mathematics and public policy major, daughter of Francisco Gutierrez of Bernal, Argentina, and Patricia Pittman of Washington, D.C.
Nicosia, Cyprus
Alexandra Mitsidou, a senior anthropology and Romance languages major, daughter of Constantinos Mitsides and Monica Mitsidou of Nicosia, Cyprus.
Phi Beta Kappa contacts: Student information, Wanda Wallace, (919) 962-9822, allace@email.unc.edu; faculty adviser, Dr. Robert Lowman, (919) 962-0656, lowman@unc.edu
News Services contact: L.J. Toler, (919) 962-8593