Fifty-seven graduating seniors were inducted into Elon's Eta Chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, the oldest and one of the most prestigious honor societies, in an April 19 ceremony.
Fifty-seven Elon University students were inducted into Phi Beta Kappa, the oldest and often considered the most prestigious honor society, at an April 19 dinner and ceremony.
Scott Arthur Banks, a biomedical engineer at the University of Florida whose research led to breakthroughs in joint implant treatments, delivered the keynote address and encouraged students to pursue greater purpose in life. Banks’ mission — to help surgeons achieve greater results for patients — guided his biggest decisions.
“What mission will lead you? That’s my assignment to you tonight,” said Banks, who also delivered the year’s final Voices of Discovery lecture on April 18. “Having a mission was helpful in reminding me I was on the right path, and I hope you too will be lucky enough to find one that defines your life.”
In addition to Banks, inductees heard from Anthony Rizzuto, associate professor of chemistry and president of Elon’s Eta Chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, and Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Rebecca Kohn.
“You have so much to be proud of,” Kohn said. “May you continue to be lifelong learners, working hard, asking questions, seeking the truth and inspiring those around you to strive for excellence.”
Phi Beta Kappa has established chapters at 286 colleges and universities in the United States, representing only 10% of the nation’s institutions of higher learning. Each year, the top 10% of arts and sciences graduates at these institutions are selected for membership. Elon’s Eta Chapter of North Carolina was installed on April 13, 2010.
2024 Phi Beta Kappa inductees:
Madison Battinelli
Akani Bey
Eli Bier
Kai Daniel Bilotta
Cole Thomas Carney
Henry Reilly Chance
Ava N. Crawford
Rachel Olivia Curtis
Christopher A. D’Inzeo
Leah Creager Dumaine
Julia Nicole DuVal
Claire Chapin Epps, Jr.
Parker Rose Fairfield
John Luke Farah
Matthew William Flacksenburg
Gerald Wood Fuller
Ellen Garrison
Tessa Gladwell
Isabel Eugenia Gouveia
Chase Gurey
Blake Alton Healey
Chloe Rae Higgins
Madeleine Hollenbeck
Rachel Hunt
Nicholas Ivanov
Lauren Elizabeth Jablon
Julia Kiely Johnson
Kaley Katz
Grace Kepperling
Ally Laird
Stephanie Rachel Land
Maggie Lifsitz
Katelyn Rose Litvan
Bethany Paige Marzella
Jade Caroline May
Morgan Delaney McGlynn
Sophie I. Miller
Matthew Thomas Newberry
Eliana Carmel Olivier
Keira Oyen
Mary Sophia Padalecki
Gillian Florence Perilstein
Samantha Nadia Perri
Samantha Pomerantz
Samuel Ramirez
Cailey Rogers
Daniel Ross Saltsgaver
Sonali Elena Schroder
Amaya Sheffield
Emma Simpson
Jordan Claire Smith
Jillian Marie Thomas
Jeremiah Timberlake
Angelina Grace Votruba
Kyra Alexandra Wells
Nora Jarrett Wilkes
Alecxander Carter Wilson