Phi Beta Kappa Selects New Members at UW

The Alpha Chapter of Wyoming at the University of Wyoming has selected 36 new members for the prestigious Phi Beta Kappa honor society. Among the new inductees are four juniors who have been awarded $1,000 scholarships for their academic achievements.

Each year, 290 national chapters select new members into Phi Beta Kappa. Fewer than 1 percent of U.S. college graduates are chosen. Members have included 17 U.S. presidents and 42 U.S. Supreme Court justices. There are nearly 100 faculty and staff resident members in UW’s chapter. The students who are selected for this honor at UW are usually in the top 3 to 4 percent of their classes.

“A committee of Phi Beta Kappa members selects the eligible students based on liberal arts hours, foreign language hours and GPA,” says Joy Landeira, professor, chair of the Department of Modern and Classical Languages and Alpha Chapter president. “Phi Beta Kappa is one of the most respected honor societies in the United States.”

The four juniors who have earned the Louise A. Lee Johnson Memorial Scholarships, listed by hometown, are:

Casper -- Joenon Sulzen, a Kelly Walsh High School graduate, who is studying English with honors and creative writing minors; and Samantha Veauthier, also a graduate of Kelly Walsh High School, who is studying zoology with an honors minor.

Cheyenne -- Dillon McLean, a graduate of Cheyenne Central High School, who is studying chemistry.

Diamond Point, N.Y. -- Morgan Miller, who is studying international studies with an honors minor.

The induction ceremony for the new members will take place Friday, April 28, at 4 p.m. in Room 506 of Coe Library. The event will be attended by family, friends and faculty members.

In addition to the scholarship recipients, 26 new seniors and six December graduates also have been elected to Phi Beta Kappa. Those newly elected members, listed by hometowns and majors, are:

Arvada, Colo. -- Madison Singh, gender and women’s studies.

Bandera, Texas -- Kyla Ditges, English.

Boise, Idaho -- Larissa Rutz, history.

Broomfield, Colo. -- Elena Rae Stewart, English.

Casper -- Benjamin Radosevich, a Natrona County High School graduate, molecular biology.

Chattanooga, Tenn. -- Abby Worlen, B.A. in English (December 2022).

Cheyenne -- Val Herd Jr., a Cheyenne Central High School graduate, history; Christopher Hood, also a Cheyenne Central graduate, international studies and French; Maeve Knepper, a Cheyenne East High School graduate, economics and international studies; and Fox Glenn Nelson, also a Cheyenne East graduate, anthropology.

Douglas -- William Trimnal, a Douglas High School graduate, international studies.

Eagle River, Alaska -- Ashton Love, political science.

Fort Collins, Colo. -- Kaytlyn Vander Meer, chemical engineering and Spanish; and Frank Richard Wright, geography, and environment and natural resources with minors in Spanish and honors.

Gering, Neb. -- Brock Parker, astronomy and astrophysics.

Jackson -- Samantha Smith, a Jackson Hole High School graduate, B.A. in criminal justice, sociology and English (December 2022).

Lakewood, Colo. -- Lydia Ellefsen, environmental systems science, and environment and natural resources.

Lander -- Emma Jo Comstock, a Lander Valley High School graduate, B.A. in history (December 2022).

Laramie -- Hailey Hysong, a Laramie High School graduate, international studies; Sai Kit Ng, also a Laramie High graduate, microbiology and molecular biology with minors in music and physiology; and Lander Stone, also a Laramie High graduate, environmental systems science and religious studies.

McLean, Va. -- Anna Spear, environmental studies and environmental politics.

Midvale, Utah -- Shannon Fassler, English, and art and art history.

Monument, Colo. -- Makayla Kocher, English with minors in anthropology and museum studies.

Norway -- Irja Smith Sandvik, anthropology, and environment and natural resources.

Parker, Colo. -- Mckenna Egolf, history.

Phoenix, Ariz. -- Rebecca DeCero, history.

Pine Bluffs -- Harper Pachel, a Pine Bluffs High School graduate, B.A. in history (December 2022).

Powell -- Abigail Saville, a Powell High School graduate, B.S. in biology (December 2022).

Reno, Nev. -- Erin Schwalbe, microbiology.

St. Joseph, Mo. -- Ruby Jenco, environment and natural resources, and wildlife biology and management.

Torrington -- Maryssa Lira, a Torrington High School graduate, B.S. in microbiology (December 2022).

The Alpha Chapter of Wyoming was established in 1940. It sponsors lectures, scholarships and other academic activities. For more information about the Phi Beta Kappa honor society or UW’s Alpha Chapter, visit www.uwyo.edu/pbk.