Frederick M. Lawrence, the 10th Secretary and CEO of the Phi Beta Kappa Society, reminded Elon University students invited this spring into the nation’s oldest academic honor society that the liberal arts “are a preparation for a fully lived life.”
One of the nation’s leading experts on civil rights and free expression describes the liberal arts and sciences as more than simple academic pursuits – they provide irreplaceable skills at a time when artificial intelligence is rapidly changing the nature of work.
Frederick M. Lawrence, the 10th Secretary and CEO of the Phi Beta Kappa Society, the nation’s oldest and most prestigious academic honor society, also notes how the liberal arts readies students to be engaged citizens in local, national, and global communities.
“A liberal arts education prepares us to be problem solvers, creative thinkers, and flexible thinkers,” Lawrence shared with dozens of Elon University students inducted into Phi Beta Kappa in an evening dinner and ceremony on April 4, 2025.
Sixty-one Elon University students were candidates for induction, and many attended the program inside Oaks 212 accompanied by parents and other family members.
Phi Beta Kappa has established chapters at 291 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.
Inductees also heard from Associate Professor Anthony Rizzuto, president of Elon’s Eta Chapter of Phi Beta Kappa; Associate Librarian Shannon Tennant, the Eta Chapter’s historian; and Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Rebecca Kohn.
“You have so much to be proud of, and Elon is proud of you,” 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.”
May you continue to be lifelong learners, working hard, asking questions, seeking the truth and inspiring those around you to strive for excellence.
– Elon University Provost Rebecca Kohn
2025 Inductees into the Eta Chapter of the Phi Beta Kappa Society
Sol Addison ’25
Sociology and Applied Mathematics
Emma Allen ’25
History
John Bloh ’25
Political Science and History
Rachel Brashier ’25
Spanish
Gram Brownlee ’25
Journalism and Political Science
Margo Buchanan ’25
Theatrical Design & Technology and Political Science
Juliana Buter ’25
Political Science
Savanna Carr ’25
Public Health Studies
Liwei Chen ’25
Mathematics and Statistics
Coral Clark ’25
Public Health Studies and Strategic Communications
Sam Coleman ’25
Exercise Science
Gabby Conover ’25
Biology
Kiara Cronin ’25
Human Service Studies
Rony Dahdal ’26
Computer Science, Philosophy and Mathematics
Bo Dalrymple ’25
International & Global Studies and Political Science
Jill Dolman ’25
Exercise Science
Tyra Duque ’25
Data Analytics and Political Science
Merritt Edwards ’25
Psychology and Spanish
Robin Falkow ’25
Strategic Communications and Policy Studies
Julianna Fazzino ’25
Biochemistry
Mira Fitch ’26
Political Science and Statistics
Joshua Franklin ’25
Political Science and Economics
Sara Fritz ’26
International & Global Studies and Economics
Rachel Garner ’25
Anthropology and Classical Studies
Bryn Hall ’25
Psychology
Lucy Hewitt ’25
Psychology
Samantha Hinton ’25
Public Health Studies and Political Science
Eva Hunter ’25
Psychology
Alme Jordaan ’25
Exercise Science
Reagan Kadlic ’25
Economics and Psychology
Catherine Knierim ’25
Biology
Avi Kurtz ’25
Human Service Studies
Maddie Landress ’25
Environmental Studies
Grace London ’25
Biochemistry
Rachel Maccini ’25
Middle Grades Education and Special Education
Daisy Martinez-Jimenez ’26
Economics and Policy Studies
Cole Meixsell ’25
Economics and Political Science
Nhat Nguyen ’25
Chemistry
Anna Okum ’25
Strategic Communications and International & Global Studies
Catherine Oliver ’25
Biochemistry and Public Health Studies
Griffin Pace ’25
Applied Mathematics and Statistics
Harriette Palms ’25
Biology
Adam Parsons ’25
Biology
Lindsay Pearce ’25
English and Profressional Writing and Rhetoric
Walt Pierce ’25
Statistics and Economics
Amanda Pillig ’25
International & Global Studies and Political Science
Madison Powers ’25
Journalism
Nicholas Rugbart ’25
International & Global Studies
Lily Rupinski ’25
Biology
Vaughan Sanderson ’25
Human Service Studies
Lindsey Sawyer ’25
Psychology
Hunter Siegel ’25
Political Science and International & Global Studies
Jackson Spaeth ’25
Biochemistry
Aubrey Spicola ’25
Astrophysics
Annabelle Stephens ’25
Strategic Communications and Sociology
Zhuohao Tan ’25
Computer Science
Holden Taylor ’25
Economics
Lorenzo Tibolla ’25
International & Global Studies and Spanish
Sophia Walper ’25
Theatrical Design & Technology and Psychology
Mara Waskiewicz ’25
French and Classical Studies
Annelise Weaver ’25
Psychology