Phi Beta Kappa elects 16 students

Sixteen Cornell College students have been elected to Phi Beta Kappa, the country’s oldest and most prestigious academic honor society. The students will be inducted at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, May 11, in Cole Library during Commencement weekend.

Seniors elected were David Berger, Elizabeth Coghlan, Julia Eastham, Nicola Etter, Tim Haynes, Aidan Litt, Annika Leitch Lodge, Alexandra Lewyn, Talitha McGuire, Jessica Meis, Orgho Neogi, Anhia Nguyen, Salem Ozaki, Rachel Renaud, Jamie Rhoads, and Elisabeth Sage.

Samantha Nadel and Jillian Schulte were elected in 2018 as juniors.

Phi Beta Kappa is often described as the country’s most prestigious honor society, due to its long history and academic selectivity. Members at Cornell are chosen by Phi Beta Kappa faculty members from among the top 15 percent of the senior class and the top five percent of the junior class. Election is based upon good character and a distinguished record of performance in courses that demonstrate a broad exposure to the liberal arts, as well as substantive work in areas outside the major.

The students’ names will be added to the permanent plaque in Cole Library listing all members elected to Cornell’s Delta of Iowa chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, founded in 1922.