Thirty-nine seniors and 11 juniors at Gustavus Adolphus College were inducted into Phi Beta Kappa, the nation’s oldest and most prestigious academic honor society, on Thursday, May 1. The Gustavus chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, the Eta chapter of Minnesota, was approved in 1982 and formally chartered in April 1983. Students who have excelled in the study of liberal arts are elected each year by a faculty committee of local chapter members. Election criteria include a record of high achievement in liberal arts courses and majors, competency in math and foreign language, and demonstration of a love of learning as evidenced by the depth and breadth of a student’s college career.
Founded in 1776, Phi Beta Kappa is the nation’s oldest academic honor society. It has chapters at 280 institutions and more than half a million members throughout the country. Its mission is to champion education in the liberal arts and sciences, to recognize academic excellence, and to foster freedom of thought and expression. Among its programs are academic and literary awards, lectureships, a fellowship, a professorship, and publication of The American Scholar, an award-winning quarterly journal.
The following members of the Class of 2014 were inducted:
John C. Anderson, Appleton, Wis., Chemistry
Sarah J. Barthell, Minneapolis, Minn., Psychological Science
Zachary C. Bergan, Cannon Falls, Minn., Political Science and Japanese Studies
Erik A. Blomquist, Onalaska, Minn., Chemistry
Laurel A. Boman, Woodbury, Minn., Classics
Maura C. Bremer, Mahtomedi, Minn., Communication Studies
Laurel A. Carlson, Shoreview, Minn., English
Nora F. Christensen, Plymouth, Minn., Psychological Science
Victoria F. Clark, Saint James, Minn., English
Cameron J. Clause, Mankato, Minn., Chemistry
Susan G. Crane, Des Moines, Iowa., Classics, Russian/Eastern European Studies
Megan S. Crow, Vadnais Heights, Minn., Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Kathryn K. Dahl, Luverne, Minn., Biology
Andrea N. Doebler, Albany, Minn., Spanish, Latin American/Latino/Caribbean Studies
Darailia M. Evans, Charlottesville, Va., Scandinavian Studies, Philosophy
Laura A. Flicek, Eagen, Minn., Spanish, Elementary Education
Ava Goepfert, Fairbanks, Alaska., History, Communication Studies Honors
Karl M. Grant, Stillwater, Minn., Music, Classics
Dasha A. Grishina, Saint Peter, Minn., Russian/Eastern European Studies
Ndeye S. Gueye, New York, N. York., Economics
Dillon J. Hall, Carver, Minn., Psychological Science
Madison N. Heckel, White Bear Lake, Minn., Psychology Science Honors
Michelle L. Hulke, Richland, Minn., Biology
Erik A. Johnson, New Brighton, Minn., Political Science, History
Rose E. Ludescher, Richfield, Minn., Biology, Psychological Science
Pa Ngia Moua, Saint Paul, Minn., Communication Studies
Nick H. Mullenmeister, Northfield, Minn., English, Japanese Studies
Mitch T. Nelson, Saint Peter, Minn., Economics
Alina R. Peter, Cloquet, Minn., Psychological Science
Kelly J. Peterson, Medford, Ore., Psychological Science
Kaytlin A. Remold, Bryon, Minn., Biology
Carl J. Schiltz, Rushford, Minn., Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Caitlin M. Skvorc, Wasilla, Alaska, Japanese Studies, English
Eric S. Talus, Plymouth, Minn., Chemistry
Caio M. Thomas, Amboy, Minn., Computer Science, Japanese Studies
Andrew J. Vold, Coon Rapids, Minn., Economics
Avery L. Wallace, Madison, Wis., Spanish, History
Grant C. Walters, Byron, Minn., Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Helen C. Wauck, Whitefish Bay, Wis., Mathematics, Computer Science
The following members of the Class of 2015 were inducted:
Devon R. Bealke, Indianapolis, Ind., Scandinavian Studies, History
Amy E. Christiansen, Rochester, Minn., Chemistry, Environmental Studies
Carolyn P. Draayer, Deephaven, Minn., Communication Studies
Alexander P. Gundersen, Richfield, Minn., English, Communication Studies
Elizabeth L. Larson, Detroit Lakes, Minn., English
Daniel V. Ly, Bloomington, Minn., Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Sage A. Macklay, Waseca, Minn., History
Kyle G. Maloney, Richfield, Minn., Political Science, Economics
Thanh T. Nguyen, Hanoi, Vietnam, Economics
Taylor A. Sommers, Rosemont, Minn., Psychological Science
Mariah K. Wika, Blaine, Minn., Communication Studies Honors
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Media Contact: Director of Media Relations and Internal Communication Luc Hatlestad
luch@gustavus.edu
507-933-7510