Spring 2007

Phi Beta Kappa takes honors

It’s like being the best of the best.

UNCG’s Epsilon Chapter of Phi Beta Kappa was named the most outstanding chapter at a public university by the national honor society this fall. Every three years the Phi Beta Kappa Society, the oldest society in the United States, presents this award. UNCG was selected from 270 chapters across the country.

In his letter of notification to the Chapter, the National Phi Beta Kappa Secretary, John Churchill, noted a number of Epsilon Chapter's initiatives for special praise: "Establishing a list-serve for communication within the chapter, creating an informational exhibit in the library, offering the Hege Award (for graduate study) for outstanding student initiates, and working with the College of Arts and Sciences to fund speakers." He applauded Phi Beta Kappa members at the university for doing so much to "integrate (the Chapter) into the life of the greater academic community at UNCG."

Dr. Alice Haddy (Biophysical Chemistry), the Corresponding Secretary, attended the national convention in October to receive the award and hosted a discussion group on things other chapters might do to enhance work on their own campuses.

The Epsilon Chapter was founded in 1934. It is one of six chapters in the state of North Carolina. The others are at Davidson College, Duke University, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina State University, and Wake Forest University.