ALMA — Seven Alma College students have been selected for membership in Phi Beta Kappa, America’s most prestigious scholastic honorary society. The newest members were inducted during a ceremony on April 4 at the Tyler-Van Dusen Campus Center, on Alma College’s campus.

Among those in attendance were Provost and Vice President of Student Affairs Sean Burke, as well as faculty members who are members of Phi Beta Kappa and students who were inducted at last year’s event.

Founded in 1776 at the College of William and Mary, Phi Beta Kappa recognizes excellence in liberal arts education, stressing intellectual discipline and achievement. Members are selected on the basis of their outstanding academic achievement in the traditional arts, sciences and humanities. Eligibility requires at least a 3.75 grade point average (GPA) for a junior and a 3.50 GPA for a senior. Among other requirements are proficiency in college mathematics and a second language.

This year marks the 45th anniversary of Alma College’s chapter, which was founded in 1979. The college’s Eta Chapter is one of 293 in the United States and one of eight in Michigan.

The following students were inducted:

Junior Ava Gilbert, an integrative physiology and health sciences (IPHS) major from Rockford, Mich.
Junior Samuel Sircely, a biochemistry major from Gaylord, Mich.
Junior Sophia Cooney, a psychology major from Ludington, Mich.
Junior Ryan Gray, an IPHS/psychology double-major from Chandler, Ariz.
Junior Kylie Lewis, an IPHS major from Grand Blanc, Mich.
Senior George Amoako, a biochemistry major from Accra, Ghana
Senior Brenden Coulter, an IPHS major from Roscommon, Mich.