6/24/99
Contact: Douglas Baxter, Phi Beta Kappa Chapter Secretary, 58E Bentley Hall, Ohio University, baxter@ohiou.edu, (740) 593-4354

Chapter website: http://www.cats.ohiou.edu/~pbk or the national website at: http://www.pbk.org

ATHENS, Ohio -- Ohio University's Lambda Chapter of Phi Beta Kappa initiated 93 new members, one honorary member and one alumnus during its annual Initiation Ceremony June 11 at the Music Recital Hall, under the direction of Chapter President Nancy Roe.

Phi Beta Kappa, the oldest and most distinguished of all college honor societies, has elected students since its inception in 1776 who have demonstrated breadth and excellence in the liberal arts and sciences. To be eligible for induction, seniors must have at least a 3.65 grade point average, and juniors must have at least a 3.80 grade point average on a 4.0 scale. Students must also have distribution requirements in three areas--foreign language, humanities and social science, and mathematics and science.

Just over one percent of all seniors nationwide are elected each year from the 248 college chapters who are part of what Newsweek calls "the nation's most prestigious academic honors organization."