The Phi Beta Kappa Society Installs 291st Chapter at Rollins College

WASHINGTON, DC — The Phi Beta Kappa Society installed a new chapter at Rollins College today in a ceremony at the Knowles Memorial Chapel. Following the installation, the new Theta of Florida chapter inducted 19 students, selected for their academic excellence in the arts and sciences.

Frederick M. Lawrence, Phi Beta Kappa Secretary/CEO, Peter Quimby, Phi Beta Kappa Society president, and Donald Davison, Ph.D., Professor of Political Science and president of the new chapter, presided over the installation and induction ceremonies. University leaders, including President Grant Cornwell, Phi Beta Kappa faculty and staff, and the chapter’s newly inducted students enjoyed a reception following the ceremonies to celebrate the chapter’s installation.

Lawrence remarked on the significance of the occasion, saying: “The educational model at Rollins actively and purposefully integrates liberal arts throughout the college, ensuring that a grounding in the arts and sciences serves as the core of a Rollins education. We congratulate the college and our newest Phi Beta Kappa members on their accomplishment, and we look forward to a bright future for the chapter here in Winter Park.”

Prospective Phi Beta Kappa inductees are usually seniors among the top 10 percent of their graduating class who have completed a broad range of liberal arts and sciences coursework, including foreign language and mathematics.

The Theta of Florida chapter also inducted several Foundation members, each chosen for their commitment to the ideals of the liberal arts and sciences, including:

Dr. Shan-Estelle Brown, Assistant Professor of Anthropology and Coordinator of the Global Health Program at Rollins College
Dr. Martha Cheng, Professor of English at Rollins College
Dr. Grant Cornwell, President of Rollins College
Dr. Daniel Crozier, Professor of Music, Theory, and Composition at Rollins College
Dr. Sabrice Guerrier, Associate Professor of Biology at Rollins College
Dr. Susan Whealler Johnston, President and CEO of the National Association of College and University Business Officers, Board Chair for Rollins College Board of Trustees
Dr. Rosana Diaz-Zambrana, Professor of Spanish at Rollins College

"The installation of a Phi Beta Kappa chapter at Rollins is a testament to the academic integrity that the college, students and faculty uphold," stated chapter president Donald Davison, Ph.D. "Rollins receiving only the 291^st chapter in the nearly 250 year history of the Society not only underscores our position among the most prestigious academic institutions in the country, but more importantly, empowers us to create more opportunities to further academic excellence and enrichment for years to come. This recognition is possible because of the collective achievement of the entire Rollins community." he added.

Rollins College becomes the 291^st U.S. college or university to shelter a Phi Beta Kappa chapter. Installations of new chapters occur only every three years and follow an intensive, multi-year application and evaluation process that includes significant data collection and a visit from members of Phi Beta Kappa’s Committee on Qualifications. Among the criteria reviewed are an institution's commitment to the centrality of education in the arts and sciences, governance structure, faculty excellence, and demonstrated commitment to academic freedom.

In addition to the Theta of Florida chapter, Phi Beta Kappa will be installing two more chapters this year at Providence College, Providence, RI, and University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC.

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About Rollins College

Founded in 1885, Rollins College is Florida's oldest college. Located in Winter Park, near Orlando, Rollins is consistently ranked as one of the top regional universities in the South by U.S. News & World Report. Rollins serves approximately 3,200 degree-seeking students annually. For more information, visit www.rollins.edu.

About The Phi Beta Kappa Society

Founded on Dec. 5, 1776, The Phi Beta Kappa Society is the nation's most prestigious academic honor society. It has chapters at 287 colleges and universities in the United States, 50 alumni associations, and more than half a million members worldwide. Noteworthy members include 17 U.S. Presidents, 41 U.S. Supreme Court Justices and more than 150 Nobel Laureates. 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. For more information, visit www.pbk.org.