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UNC-Chapel Hill inducts 137 into Phi Beta Kappa
90 inductees from North Carolina
(Chapel Hill, N.C. – Nov. 15, 2016) – Phi Beta Kappa, the nation’s oldest and most honored college honorary society, has inducted 137 University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill students as new members.
The recent induction ceremony featured remarks by Chancellor Carol L. Folt and a keynote address by Dr. Kevin M. Guskiewicz, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and Kenan distinguished professor of exercise and sport science. New members received certificates and Phi Beta Kappa keys, the organization’s symbol.
Phi Beta Kappa membership is open to undergraduates in the college and professional degree programs who meet stringent eligibility requirements.
A student who has completed 75 hours of course work in the liberal arts and sciences with a GPA of 3.85 or better (on a 4-point scale) is eligible for membership. Also eligible is any student who has completed 105 hours of course work in the liberal arts and sciences with a 3.75 GPA. Grades earned at other universities are not considered. Less than 1 percent of all college students qualify.
Past and present Phi Beta Kappa members include 17 American presidents and numerous artistic, intellectual and political leaders. Seven current U.S. Supreme Court justices are members.
Phi Beta Kappa has 286 chapters nationwide. Carolina’s chapter, Alpha of North Carolina, was founded in 1904 and is the oldest of seven 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 2016-2017 are students Aaron Homburger, president; Kylie Nowicki, vice president; and Guilia Curcelli, recording secretary. James L. Leloudis, professor of history, associate dean for Honors Carolina and director of the James M. Johnston Center for Undergraduate Excellence, is chapter executive secretary and faculty adviser.
Listed below are 133 inductees, 90 of whom are from North Carolina. The names appear below in alphabetical order by North Carolina county, then by state and country. All students study in the College of Arts and Sciences except where otherwise noted. Four students chose not to be listed.
Alamance County
- K. Hunter Byrd, a senior with an exercise and sport science major, of Snow Camp.
- Benjamin Franklin Lowe, III, a senior with biology and religious studies majors, son of Dr. Benjamin Lowe Jr. and Suzanne Lowe of Burlington.
- Meredith Gracen Miller, a senior with art history and history majors, daughter of Mark Miller and Lisa Miller of Elon.
- Kathryn Nakhle, a senior with a communication studies major and a social and economic justice minor, daughter of Amy Nakhle of Elon.
Buncombe County
- Lauren Martina Chisdock, a senior with a nursing major, of Asheville.
- Avram Asher Goldstein, a senior with a computer science major and an entrepreneurship minor, son of Dr. Jonas Goldstein and Dr. Meryl Goldstein of Asheville.
- Alexander Scott Montgomery, a senior with political science and English majors and a history minor, son of Scott Montgomery and Susan Montgomery of Asheville.
- Lacy Catherine Rardin, a senior with psychology and exercise and sport science majors, daughter of Dr. Duff Rardin and Angie Rardin of Asheville.
Cabarrus County
- Kirsten Olivia Spencer, a senior with a psychology major and education and social and economic justice minors, daughter of Karen Meggs of Concord and Jerry Spencer of Pineville.
Cleveland County
- Molly McConnell, a senior with an English major and creative writing and American studies minors, of Shelby.
Cumberland County
- Monal Dinesh Depani, a senior with an environmental health sciences major and chemistry and biology minors, son of Dinesh Depani and Bhavna Depani of Fayetteville.
- Michael Cory Strickland, a senior with philosophy and music majors, of Fayetteville.
Davidson County
- Spencer Phillip Landfried, a senior with a computer science major and a mathematics minor, of Midway.
Duplin County
- Stephen Thomas Lanier, a junior with mathematics and computer science majors and a creative writing minor, son of Col. Steve Lanier and Kristie Lanier of Beulaville.
Durham County
- Emily Logan Bass, a senior with a psychology major and an anthropology minor, daughter of A. Lewis Bass, III and Margaret H. Bass of Durham.
- Anthony Lawrence Vallario, a senior with computer science and mathematics majors, son of Peter Vallario and Phyllis Vallario of Durham.
Forsyth County
- Mariana Abou-Rizk, a senior with French and communication studies majors, of Winston-Salem.
- Leona Aisha Amosah, a senior with Russian language and culture and global studies majors, daughter of Ben Amosah and Nelli Amosah of Winston-Salem.
- Anna Davis Caudill, a senior with global studies and political science majors and a Spanish for the professions minor, daughter of Mark Caudill and Virginia Caudill of Winston-Salem.
- Alexandra Edens, a senior with exercise and sport science and psychology majors, daughter of Michael Edens and Mary Beth Edens of Winston-Salem.
- Helina Wen Gan, a senior with biology and psychology majors and a chemistry minor, of Clemmons.
- Lauren Grace Kent, a senior with media and journalism and political science majors and a philosophy, politics, and economics minor, of Winston-Salem.
- Rachel Erin Lerner, a senior with psychology and communication studies majors, of Winston-Salem.
Franklin County
- Molly Hendricks Boutwell, a senior with an exercise and sport science major and a chemistry minor, daughter of Raymond Boutwell and Gina Boutwell of Louisburg.
Gaston County
- Caroline M. Fite, a May 2016 graduate with economics and political science majors and an English minor, daughter of Harold Fite of Belmont.
Guilford County
- Brianna Bauchle, a senior with Hispanic linguistics and management and society majors, of Summerfield.
- Amina Lawal Garba, a senior with a nutrition major and Arabic and chemistry minors, daughter of Mohammad Garba and Zuwaira Garba of Greensboro.
- Hailey Kay Jacob, a May 2016 graduate with business administration and economics majors, daughter of a Phil Jacob and Dr. Sera Jacob of Greensboro.
- Summer Ziad Hashem Najjar, a senior with public policy and Arab cultures majors, daughter of Ziad Najjar of Greensboro and Deborah Jackson of Danvers, Massachusetts.
- Meredith Anne Park, a senior with a chemistry major and neuroscience and biology minors, daughter of Stan Park and Laura Park of Greensboro.
- Jonathan Matthew Raab, Jr., a senior with economics and public policy majors, son of Matt Raab and Amy Raab of Greensboro.
- Kristen Danielle Witkemper, a senior with a psychology major and a women’s and gender studies minor, daughter of Daniel Witkemper, II and Brenda Adams Witkemper of Jamestown.
Henderson County
- Alexandra Christine Stewart, a May 2016 graduate with a linguistics major and speech and hearing sciences and music minors, daughter of Rick Stewart and Jan Stewart of Hendersonville.
Iredell County
- Kathryn Ann Elkin, a senior with psychology and biology majors and a music minor, daughter of William Elkin, Jr. and Amy Elkin of Mooresville.
Mecklenburg County
- Ashton Katherine Carrick, a senior with a communication studies major and writing for the screen and stage and creative writing minors, daughter of Kenneth Carrick, Jr. and Susan Carrick of Charlotte.
- Akshay V. Daji, a senior with a biology major and neuroscience and chemistry minors, son of Vija Daji and Swati Daji of Charlotte.
- Steven Scott Doerstling, a senior with a nutrition major and chemistry and Spanish for the professions minors, son of Scott Doerstling and Lesa Doerstling of Charlotte.
- David Andrew Farrow, a senior with cultural studies and public policy majors, son of David Farrow and Elisabeth Farrow of Charlotte.
- George D. Johnson, a May 2016 graduate with history and psychology majors, of Charlotte.
- Luke Robert Miller, a senior with business administration and economics majors, son of Robert Miller and Tracy Miller of Charlotte.
- Kara Patrice Mitchell, a senior with economics and public policy majors and a social and economic justice minor, of Charlotte.
- Yoonha Shim, a senior with a clinical laboratory science major and a chemistry minor, daughter of Wee Shim and Mi Shim of Charlotte.
- Mary Elizabeth Thurman, a senior with studio art and communication studies majors, daughter of David Thurman and Mary Beth Thurman of Charlotte.
- Colleen Jivoff Watson, a senior with a psychology major and a Hispanic studies minor, daughter of Stuart Watson, Jr. and Lorraine Jivoff of Charlotte.
- Reed Nicholas Williams, a senior with computer science and economics majors, son of Joann Williams of Charlotte.
New Hanover County
- Jennifer Rose Jensen, a senior with biology and psychology majors and a chemistry minor, daughter of Carsten Jensen and Dr. Regina Jensen of Wilmington.
- Audra Rose Killian, a senior with economics and women’s and gender studies majors and a politics, philosophy, and economics minor, daughter of Kevin Killian and Linda Killian of Wilmington.
- Spencer A. Lewis, a senior with a computer science major, of Wrightsville Beach.
Orange County
- Ranjitha Ananthan, a senior with a health policy and management major and a chemistry minor, daughter of Ananthan Ramasamy and Mala Ananthan of Chapel Hill.
- Grant Hayden Cabell, a senior with biology and exercise and sport science majors and a chemistry minor, of Chapel Hill.
- Anna Catherine Dallara, a senior with classics and rhetoric and digital composition majors, daughter of Dr. John Dallara and Dr. Amy Levine of Chapel Hill.
- Stephen K. Garvey, a senior with political science and peace, war, and defense majors and a history minor, son of Donald Garvey and Evelyn Garvey of Granite Falls.
- Alice Huang, a May 2016 graduate with economics and mathematics majors, daughter of Weishi Huang and Qinghong Yang of Chapel Hill.
- Claire Kylstra Peterman, a senior with comparative literature and Spanish majors and an anthropology minor, daughter of Ken Peterman and Kimberly Kylstra of Chapel Hill.
- William Frank Richardson, a senior with political science and economics majors and a classics minor, son of Craig Richardson of Chapel Hill.
- Chiara Pancaldo Salemi, a senior with physics and mathematics majors, of Chapel Hill.
- Sophie Antoinette Shaw, a senior with an English major and creative writing and Italian minors, daughter of Duncan Shaw and Jennifer Shaw of Hillsborough.
- Alexandra Claiborne Willcox, a senior with environmental health sciences and French majors, daughter of Bill Willcox and Smaranda Willcox of Chapel Hill.
- Maria Yao, a senior with a nutrition major and music and Spanish for the medical professions minors, daughter of Li Xu and Lixin Yao of Chapel Hill.
- Alice Yunzi Ling Yu, a senior with a nutrition major and chemistry and music minors, daughter of Tongayn Li of Chapel Hill and Dr. Haibin Yu of Ningbo, China.
Pitt County
- Jared Douglas Williams, a senior with chemistry and English majors, son of Keith Williams and Sandra Williams of Greenville.
Robeson County
- Daniel Frederick Dana, a senior with education and English majors, son of Frederick Dana and Monica Dana of Lumberton.
Rockingham County
- Timber Grey Beeninga, a senior with economics and global studies majors and a public policy minor, daughter of Scott Beeninga and Rose Beeninga of Summerfield.
Scotland County
- Destinee Hope Grove, a senior with exercise and sport science and psychology majors, daughter of Ruby Clark of Wagram.
Stanly County
- Lea Nicole Efird, a senior with Spanish and history majors and an English minor, of Albemarle.
Surry County
- Elizabeth Dorothy Dinkins, a senior with business administration and chemistry majors and a biology minor, daughter of David Dinkins and Josie Dinkins of Mount Airy.
Union County
- Adrienne Marlo Kronovet, a senior with history and global studies majors and a Spanish for the business professions minor, daughter of Neal Kronovet and Gail Kronovet of Waxhaw.
- Caitlyn Nicole McHale, a senior with a communication studies major and a writing for the screen and stage minor, daughter of Paul McHale and Candy McHale of Stallings.
Wake County
- Francis Marion Alcorn, IV, a junior with chemistry and physics majors, son of and Timothy Alcorn and Sarah Wetherby of Raleigh.
- Felix H Allen, V, a junior with a music major, son of Hill Allen and Willa Allen and of Raleigh.
- Willow Ky Barefoot, a senior with a communication studies major and global cinema and public policy minors, daughter of Bo Barefoot of Garner and Kim Barefoot of Cleveland, NC.
- Claire Bennett, a May 2016 graduate with political science and public policy majors and a Hispanic studies minor, daughter of Brian Bennett and Betsy Bennett and of Raleigh.
- Martha Elizabeth Blue, a senior with an environmental health science major and chemistry and biology minors, daughter of Donald Blue and Mary Prevost of Raleigh.
- Regan Downey Buchanan, a senior with geography and global studies majors and a Hispanic studies minor, daughter of David Buchanan and Cheryl Buchanan of Raleigh.
- Emma Frances Celentano, a May 2016 graduate with an exercise and sport science major and a coaching education minor, Peter Celentano and Aileen Celentano of Raleigh.
- Anne Yichen Feng, a junior with biology and interdisciplinary studies majors and a chemistry minor, of Cary.
- Jessica Maria Ferrall, a senior with a psychology major and Spanish for the professions and business administration minors, daughter of Dr. Robert Ferrall and Dr. Isabel Ferrall of Cary.
- Sanjay Raaj Venkata Gadi, a junior with a nutrition major and studio art and chemistry minors, son of Jagadish Gadi and Sashi Gadi of Raleigh.
- Devon Clare Genua, a senior with a public policy major, daughter of Dante Genua and Karen Genua of Apex.
- Amy Zhang Guo, a senior with an environmental health sciences major and a music minor, daughter of Chunzhi Guo and Beirong Zhang of Cary.
- Benjamin Laird Hutton Jones, a senior with a global studies major and biology and chemistry minors, of Raleigh.
- Caroline Stanhope Wynne Lindquist, a senior with an environmental studies major and an urban studies and planning minor, of Raleigh.
- Nicole Elise Martin, a senior with an English major and medieval and early modern studies and anthropology minors, daughter of John Martin and Debra Martin of Apex.
- Jack Gentry Fenner Perisich, a junior with computer science and music performance majors and a mathematics minor, son of Mark Perisich and Christine Perisich of Raleigh.
- Adarsh Vasudeva Rao, a junior with chemistry and biology majors and a mathematics minor, of Cary.
- Medina Sadat, a senior with political science and global studies majors and an Arabic minor, daughter of Abdul Sadat and Maria Azamy of Cary.
- Julia N. Shen, a senior with a biology major and a chemistry minor, of Morrisville.
- Abigail Thurman, a senior with mathematics and political science majors and an Arabic minor, daughter of Walter Thurman and Rita Thurman of Raleigh.
- Caroline Aunspaugh Woronoff, a senior with a global studies major and entrepreneurship and public policy minors, daughter of Robert Woronoff and Diane Woronoff of Raleigh.
- Jerry Zhang, a junior with biochemistry and biophysics majors and a computer science minor, son of Zhong Zhang and Lihong Yu of Apex.
Alabama
- Patricia McGee Dodson, a senior with an information science major and neuroscience and chemistry minors, daughter of William Dodson, Jr. and Patricia Dodson of Birmingham.
- Margaret Alice Williams, a senior with a biology major and medical anthropology and chemistry minors, daughter of Jim Williams and Gwen Williams of Birmingham.
California
- Abigail Deborah Kinnaman, a senior with economics and public policy majors and a Spanish for the business professions minor, daughter of John Kinnaman and Katherine Kinnaman of Palo Alto.
- Alexi Morgan Wordell, a senior with an American studies major and urban studies and planning and geography minors, daughter of Kipp Wordell and Jenna Wordell of Nevada City.
Connecticut
- Alan Samuel Luner, a junior with mathematics and chemistry majors, of Waterford.
Florida
- Erica Nicole Diamond, a senior with a French and French literature major and a Hispanic studies minor, daughter of Alan Diamond and Laura Diamond of Melbourne.
- Lauren Rachel Trushin, a junior with public policy and history majors and an Asian studies minor, daughter of Bradley Trushin and Suzanne Trushin of Miami.
Georgia
- Virginia Blanton Hamilton, a senior with a nursing major and Hispanic studies and anthropology minors, daughter of John Hamilton and Susan Hamilton of Atlanta.
- Emily Mulcahey Janeira, a senior with a chemistry major and biology and creative writing minors, of Woodstock.
- Emily Grace Kelly, a senior with psychology and English majors, daughter of Tom Kelly and Dr. Cynthia Kelly of Sandy Springs.
Illinois
- Elizabeth Helme Zwart, a senior with business administration and philosophy majors and a religious studies minor, daughter of Jay Zwart and Lori Zwart of Mooresville, NC.
Indiana
- Lindsey Faye Wells, a junior with a biomedical and health sciences engineering major and chemistry and Spanish for the professions minors, of Zionsville.
Kansas
- Lucas Michael Popp, a senior with an exercise and sport science major and chemistry and music minors, son of Michael Popp and Ann Popp of Wichita.
Maryland
- Tamar Chukrun, a senior with a nutrition major and a chemistry minor, daughter of Michal Chukrun and Benny Chukrun of Rockville.
- Peter Vicars Cooke, a senior with an Arab cultures major and chemistry and biology minors, of Baltimore.
- Edgar Maxwell Faison, a junior with a biochemistry major and physics and biology minors, son of Russell Faison and Virginia Faison of Lusby.
- Samara RME Green, an August 2016 graduate with a global studies major, of Potomac.
- Holly Elizabeth Ozgun, a junior with a health policy and management major and chemistry and Spanish for the professions minors, of Finksburg.
Massachusetts
- Brenda Miller Holmes, a senior with a studio art major, of Boston.
Missouri
- Justin David Cole, a junior with economics and peace, war, and defense majors and a philosophy, politics, and economics minor, son of David Cole and Deborah Cole of Saint Louis.
New Jersey
- Ezra Baeli-Wang, a senior with peace, war, and defense and Asian studies majors and a creative writing minor, of Hillsborough.
- Emily Drake, a junior with environmental sciences and peace, war, and defense majors and a philosophy minor, of Mahwah.
- Bryan M. Gerber, a junior with biology and business administration majors and a chemistry minor, of Warren.
- Katlyn Geraldine McKay, a senior with biology and psychology majors and a neuroscience minor, daughter of David McKay and Diane McKay and of Holmdel.
South Carolina
- Devin Blake Durham, a senior with an economics major and a history minor, son of Traci Durham of Gaffney and Adlai Durham of Jonesville.
- Caroline Spears Jennings, a senior with a psychology major and biology and French minors, daughter of Dr. Harold Jennings, Jr. and Kristi Jennings of Greenville.
Tennessee
- Hayley Nicole Carter, a senior with an economics major and an information systems minor, daughter of Stephen Carter and Sandra Carter of Chattanooga.
- Niman Mann, a junior with psychology and religious studies majors and a chemistry minor, daughter of Daljit Mann and Dr. Anuradha Mann of Brentwood.
Texas
- Christian Hugh Browning, a senior with physics and mathematics majors and a computer science minor, son of Dr. Iley Browning of Evansville, Indiana and Dr. Pamela Smith of Belhaven, North Carolina.
- Samantha Leigh Night, a senior with a public policy major, daughter of Susan Night and Stacy Night of Austin.
Virginia
- Chloe Alistair Karlovich, a senior with an English major and art history and comparative literature minors, daughter of John Karlovich and Donna Karlovich of Fredericksburg.
- Annie Keller, a senior with music and dramatic art majors, daughter of David Keller, II. and Callie Keller of Charlottesville.
- Nakisa Sadeghi, a senior with a French major and a business administration minor, daughter of Kyoko Ando of Alexandria.
Washington, D.C.
- Jeanie Zhao, a May 2016 graduate with business administration and economics majors, daughter of Zhijiang Zhao and Qun Gu.
West Virginia
- Austin Michael Mueller, a senior with history and economics majors and a Hispanic studies minor, son of Michael Mueller of Katy, Texas and Vicki Mueller of Vienna.
China
- Guanzhong Du, a senior with mathematics and economics majors, son of Xinyang Li and Qiang Du of China.
- Xuelan Wu, a senior with biochemistry and mathematics majors, of Hangzhou.
- Siyu Zhao, a senior with philosophy and economics majors, of Shanghai.
- Yongwei Zheng, a senior with computer science and mathematical decision sciences majors and a business administration minor, daughter of Zhiqiang Zheng and Shaojuan Li of Guangdong.
England
- Harry Joe Edwards, a senior with economics and mathematics majors and a public policy minor, son of David Edwards and Anne Edwards of Cleckheaton, West Yorkshire.
Italy
- Ottavia Zattra, a senior with a nutrition major and a chemistry minor, daughter of Luigi Zattra and Alessandra Edda Cariolato of Cornedo Vicentino.
South Korea
- Sungwon Hwang, a senior with a chemistry major, son of Young-su Hwang and In-sook Hwang-Ha.
Switzerland
- Felix Kimathi Murithi, a senior with a psychology major and journalism and global cinema minors, of Nyon.
-Carolina-
About the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the nation’s first public university, is a global higher education leader known for innovative teaching, research and public service. A member of the prestigious Association of American Universities, Carolina regularly ranks as the best value for academic quality in U.S. public higher education. Now in its third century, the University offers 77 bachelor’s, 113 master’s, 68 doctorate and seven professional degree programs through 14 schools and the College of Arts and Sciences. Every day, faculty – including two Nobel laureates – staff and students shape their teaching, research and public service to meet North Carolina’s most pressing needs in every region and all 100 counties. Carolina’s more than 317,000 alumni live in all 50 states and 150 countries. More than 167,000 live in North Carolina.
Phi Beta Kappa, Alpha of North Carolina Chapter contact: Jason Clemmons, (919) 843-7756, jclem@email.unc.edu
UNC Communications contact: MC VanGraafeiland (919) 962-7090, mc.vangraafeiland@unc.edu