Randolph-Macon College’s Zeta Chapter of the Phi Beta Kappa (PBK) Society held its annual banquet and initiation ceremony April 22, 2016 in Birdsong Hall. Thirty-two new members were inducted into the Society during the ceremony, which was attended by family, friends, faculty and staff. The event also marked the 93rd anniversary celebration of the establishment of a Phi Beta Kappa chapter at Randolph-Macon College.

Photos: PBK Initiation Ceremony

The president of the Zeta of Virginia Chapter, Psychology Professor Susan Parker, welcomed inductees and guests to the banquet. Parker also gave recognition to Trustee Emeritus John B. Werner ’53 for his contributions to the success of RMC’s PBK chapter. Parker also recognized C. Lydon Harrell ’38, a PBK graduate who was in attendance. Wilson Sprenkle, vice president of the Richmond Association of Phi Beta Kappa, informed the new initiates of the role of local associations in the society.

Following words from RMC President Robert R. Lindgren, the John B. and Anita S. Werner Award was presented. The award, a distinction that comes with a certificate and a cash award, is given annually to one or two graduating seniors who have been elected to PBK and who have made outstanding contributions to the college and the community. In addition to more than 20 years of service on the Board of Trustees, Werner has served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Society of Alumni and is a member of the Presidents Society and the Heritage Society.

The award is not based solely on a student’s GPA, but also takes into consideration participation in campus activities, social and service groups, and athletics, as well as contributions to the community outside of campus. Madeline Monk ’16, an English, Latin, and history major and classics minor, and Rebecca Waldman ’16, a psychology major and education minor, are the recipients of this year’s John B. and Anita S. Werner Award.

The following students, all of whom will graduate in 2016, were inducted into the Phi Beta Kappa Society:

Reginald Ashton Jr., Alexi Bowden, Samantha Davis, Trevor Fisher, Nicole Fote, Umeki Funchess, Emily Hewitt, Nadhira Hill, Sarita Hough, Cody Huber, Brittney Ingarra, Rian Kabir, Emily Kirk, Noelle McKearney, Madeline Monk, Tracy Moriconi, Thomas Morrisette, Ahmad Nazeri, Hannah Pencook, Anthony Polakiewicz, Martha Reynolds, Haley Russ, Sophie Schaaf, Natalie Schnell, Kristin Sheetz, Elizabeth Steiner, Brennan Terhune-Cotter, Brooke Thompson, Sarena Tien, Rebecca Waldman, Michael Wallman, and Austin Wash.

RMC Provost William T. Franz shared some thoughts with attendees to close out the evening.

“Your selection to Phi Beta Kappa is evidence that you have warmly embraced this education and that you are taking from Randolph-Macon College the best that it has to offer,” said Franz.  “Put simply rather than eloquently, you ‘get it.’  You are problem solvers. You are in a state of readiness for discovery. I wish you the best these next few weeks at Randolph-Macon, and in that long journey called life.”

Founded in 1776, The Phi Beta Kappa Society advocates excellence in the liberal arts and sciences. Its campus chapters invite for induction the most outstanding liberal arts and sciences students at America’s leading colleges and universities. Each chapter can elect no more than 10 percent of its graduating class. Phi Beta Kappa recognition was awarded to Randolph-Macon in 1923, and the college is one of only 10 percent of the colleges in the country so designated. Phi Beta Kappa’s Greek initials are ΦBK, which mean “Love of learning is the guide of life.”

RMC’s chapter was named the outstanding chapter of Phi Beta Kappa at a liberal arts college in 2009 at that year’s triennial convention. The chapter continues to be among the top-rated chapters in the country as determined by the national association’s Committee on Chapters.