New student members were inducted into the prestigious Phi Beta Kappa honor society in May.

Forty-one students in the College of Arts and Sciences were inducted into the Syracuse University chapter of the premier honor society Phi Beta Kappa May 12.

Phi Beta Kappa is the oldest honorary society for students in the liberal arts, started in 1776, and one of the most prestigious undergraduate honorary societies. To be eligible for induction, students must have a major in the College of Arts and Sciences, meet a minimum cumulative grade point average, have studied a foreign language and demonstrate basic competence in mathematics and have good character.

“Phi Beta Kappa is universally recognized as the premier academic honor society in America,” says Chris Johnson, president of the Syracuse University chapter, professor of civil and environmental engineering in the College of Engineering and Computer Science and interim director of the Renée Crown University Honors Program.

The University celebrates outstanding achievement by students in the liberal arts and sciences—and the students’ induction into the honor society reflects that proud recognition.

“Membership in Phi Beta Kappa opens doors to graduate and professional schools, and is a widely recognized credential for many employers. The combination of high academic performance and the required breadth of study ensures that Phi Beta Kappa members have a deep and broad understanding of major themes in the liberal arts and the ability to communicate them effectively,” Johnson says. “The 41 students initiated this year at Syracuse are all outstanding young scholars who have demonstrated the ability to think critically at a very high level; they are ready to take these skills into academia, government, professional studies and the workplace.”

Along with the initiation of new members, the event included a recognition of faculty mentors; a student speaker, Ilana R. Siegal; and a faculty speaker, A. Peter Castro, associate professor of anthropology. Students also sign their names into the membership book, which dates from the 19th century and includes nearly all of the Syracuse members since the chapter’s inception in 1895. A reception was held following the ceremony.

The students were also honored at a reception on April 21 at the Chancellor’s House, hosted by Chancellor Kent Syverud and Dr. Ruth Chen, and also attended by Vice Chancellor and Provost Michele G. Wheatly.

The students inducted into Phi Beta Kappa were the following:

Xin Ai, philosophy; Adeola R. Ajayi, biochemistry; Valerie R. Boctor; political science; Sarah E. Buell, citizenship and civic engagement; Lynnea M. Capuano, psychology, member of the Renée Crown University Honors Program; Kathryn E. Cassidy, history; Luke Z. Chadwick, international relations, member of the Renée Crown University Honors Program; Lauren N. Chilcott, psychology; Cassandra D. Cleary, history, member of the Renée Crown University Honors Program; Lynsey K. Cooper, international relations, member of the Renée Crown University Honors Program; Christina E. Costa, biology, member of the Renée Crown University Honors Program; Binyan Ding, applied mathematics; Hasmik J. Djoulakian, women’s and gender studies, member of the Renée Crown University Honors Program; Yifei Dong, political science.

Katherine N. Eng, biology, member of the Renée Crown University Honors Program; Yao Fu, economics; Jessye S. Green, mathematics; Lauren G. Hannah, sociology, member of the Renée Crown University Honors Program; Caitlin A. Harrison, modern foreign language, member of the Renée Crown University Honors Program; Albanie K. Hendrickson-Stives, forensic science; Rachel L. Hipschman, psychology; Canming Jiang, economics, member of the Renée Crown University Honors Program; Victoria So Yeon Kim, international relations, member of the Renée Crown University Honors Program; Carolee N. Lantigua, citizenship and civic engagement, member of the Renée Crown University Honors Program; Eve P. Mercer, communication sciences and disorders, member of the Renée Crown University Honors Program; and Marilyn P. Musterait, forensic science.

Also, Kristian A. Perez, psychology, member of the Renée Crown University Honors Program; Erica M. Petz, anthropology, member of the Renée Crown University Honors Program; Sarah R. Poisner, art history, member of the Renée Crown University Honors Program; Christopher L. Pulliam, political science, member of the Renée Crown University Honors Program; Manxi Qin, applied mathematics; Nedda Sarshar, policy studies, member of the Renée Crown University Honors Program; Andrew J. Stranahan, history, member of the Renée Crown University Honors Program; Wyatt D. Suling, policy studies; Michaela R. Tricola, Italian language, literature and culture, member of the Renée Crown University Honors Program; Samantha R. Trombley, policy studies, member of the Renée Crown University Honors Program; Delaney O. Vanwey, international relations; Xintong Wang, economics, member of the Renée Crown University Honors Program; Sarah Whittaker, communication sciences and disorders; Mengran Zhang, mathematics, member of the Renée Crown University Honors Program; and Rui Zhao, psychology.

The following students were inducted in the 2015-2016 election season during their junior year and graduated in May: Alexander F. Amico, member of the Renée Crown University Honors Program; Farrell Greenwald Brenner, member of the Renée Crown University Honors Program; Rachel M. Brown-Weinstock, member of the Renée Crown University Honors Program; Kathryn A. Capodanno; Regina Catague, member of the Renée Crown University Honors Program; Jasmyn A. Chacko, member of the Renée Crown University Honors Program; Frederick W. Cieri III; and Alicia L. Drummond, member of the Renée Crown University Honors Program.

Also, Anniya S. Gu, member of the Renée Crown University Honors Program; Kimberly M. Juarez; Gabrielle R. Lichtenstein, member of the Renée Crown University Honors Program; Claire A. Moran; Hanna-Abigail H. Mosier, member of the Renée Crown University Honors Program; Emily R. Norman; Emily O’Hara, member of the Renée Crown University Honors Program; Genevieve C. Pilch, member of the Renée Crown University Honors Program; Seth E. Quam, member of the Renée Crown University Honors Program; Emilie A. Scardilla, member of the Renée Crown University Honors Program; Jennifer B. Shulman, member of the Renée Crown University Honors Program;  and Ilana R. Siegal, member of the Renée Crown University Honors Program.

The Phi Beta Kappa Society has chapters at 286 colleges and universities in the United States, almost 50 alumni associations and more than half a million members worldwide. The mission of the Phi Beta Kappa Society is to champion education in the liberal arts and sciences, foster freedom of thought and recognize academic excellence.