Phi Beta Kappa Initiates New Members During 2025 Convocation Ceremony The Phi Beta Kappa chapter at Washington and Lee University welcomed 47 students into the prestigious honor society.

By Emily Innes
April 2, 2025

The Phi Beta Kappa chapter at Washington and Lee University welcomed 47 members of the junior and senior classes into the prestigious honor society at the Phi Beta Kappa/Society of the Cincinnati Convocation held Tuesday, April 1 in the University Chapel. The honorees were inducted into Phi Beta Kappa based on their exceptional academic achievements in the arts and sciences.

Elliott King, professor of art history and president of W&L’s Phi Beta Kappa chapter; Kyle Friend, associate professor of chemistry and biochemistry and Phi Beta Kappa Secretary/Treasurer; and Matthew Loar, director of fellowships and student research and Phi Beta Kappa Vice President, opened the convocation by welcoming the newest members and providing an overview of the national history of Phi Beta Kappa, as well as the history of the organization’s local chapter.

Lena Hill, University Provost, delivered the convocation address. Hill joined Washington and Lee in 2018 as dean of the College and professor of English and Africana studies and was named provost in 2021. In her address, titled “Speaking a Path to Freedom,” Hill discussed how a liberal arts education means “learning the skills for living fully and freely,” and how a W&L education builds upon this foundation by empowering students to learn “in community” and become engaged citizens.

This year’s student initiates to Phi Beta Kappa are:

Class of 2025
• Stephanie Boktor
• Jessica Clark
• Samuel Dowda
• Mariam Drammeh
• Estelle Fisher
• Elizabeth M. Ford
• Elizabeth S. Higson
• Zhengyi Ke
• Elena Elizabeth Lee
• Madeleine Lee
• Hannah K. Nolton
• Bridget Osas
• Alexis Park
• Shae Reinberg
• Gabrielle Clare Ursin
• Palmer B. Van Tuyl
• Maddie Weller

Class of 2026
• LeAnna M. Baker
• Victoria Bliley
• Rebecca Bundrant
• Joshua Aidan Darrow
• Nona David
• Katalyn Denby
• Ryan Doty
• Ashley C. Ellis
• Krisan Ennis
• Aliya M. Gibbons
• Meredith Harron
• Grayden Holliday
• Chelsea E. Hyland
• Benjamin T. Irmscher
• William R. Joseph
• Kathryn M. Knolle
• Abigail G. Leo
• Katherine I. Martin
• Elise McPherson
• James North
• Rihards Paradnieks
• Nicholas Rizzo
• Sarp Sahin
• John Santowski
• Sarah Sims
• Patrick C. Solcher
• William R. Suttle
• Ella N. Wallace
• Marshall E. Wilt
• Hamza Zia

Phi Beta Kappa was founded in 1776 at the College of William and Mary. Its motto is “Love of learning is the guide of life.” The Gamma of Virginia Chapter was chartered at W&L in 1911.