MACON, Ga. — Forty-four students were inducted into the prestigious Phi Beta Kappa Society by Mercer University’s Zeta of Georgia Chapter for the 2025-2026 academic year.
Mercer’s chapter was established in 2016. The selection process is considered one of the most rigorous in the nation.
“Membership in Phi Beta Kappa signifies not only that a student has demonstrated exceptional academic achievement, but it also indicates their commitment to be lifelong learners who will use their critical thinking skills to sustain civil society,” said Dr. David A. Davis, president of the Zeta of Georgia chapter.
Prospective Phi Beta Kappa inductees are usually seniors among the top 10% of their graduating class who have completed a broad range of liberal arts and sciences coursework, including foreign language study and mathematics. Exceptional students meeting the society’s requirements may also be considered as juniors.
This year’s induction ceremony took place on March 30 in the Presidents Dining Room inside the University Center on the Macon campus. At the ceremony, members were formally inducted into the society. They were recognized for their accomplishments and charged to uphold the values of the society to promote broad learning, civil discourse and intellectual curiosity.
The ceremony included remarks by Phi Beta Kappa Society CEO Frederick Lawrence. Lawrence delivered the eighth annual Malcolm Lester Phi Beta Kappa Lectures on the Liberal Arts and Public Life, where he presented three lectures on the theme “The Brilliant Arc of America’s Most Treasured Resource: Higher Education and American Democracy.”
“As a member of Phi Beta Kappa for now more than 40 years, I have long admired its commitment to the breadth of a liberal arts education and to its advocacy for an education that promotes positive civic contributions by its members,” said Dr. John Thomas Scott, dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. “As Phi Beta Kappa CEO, Dr. Frederick Lawrence remarked during his visit, Mercer is the very epitome of a Phi Beta Kappa institution.”
In addition to this year’s inductees, Mercer University President Dr. Penny L. Elkins was inducted as an alumni member of the chapter.
The following students make up Mercer’s 11th induction class:
- Jacob Allinson, a biochemistry and molecular biology major from Cumming
- Autumn Baggett, a psychology major from Hahira
- Thomas Bartlett, a global development studies and Spanish double-major from Marietta
- Latoya Bartley, a history and anthropology double-major from Springfield
- Samantha Burrell, a cybersecurity major from Roswell
- Rajwol Chapagain, a computer science and communication studies double-major from Kathmandu, Nepal
- Rachel Chen, a psychology, criminal justice and sociology triple-major from Suwanee
- Graham Childs-Goodwin, a psychology major from Atlanta
- Autumn Claxton, a biochemistry and molecular biology major from Dublin
- Sahithi Doddaka, a chemistry and theater double-major from Alpharetta
- Greer Gardner, a neuroscience major from Lizella
- Bethany Gedle, a biology major from Marietta
- Jenna Goodson, a psychology, women’s and gender studies, and religion triple-major from Statesboro
- Samuel Hackworth, a neuroscience major from Las Vegas
- Sophia Hall, a global development studies, media studies and political science triple-major from Spring Hill, Tennessee
- Ziyan Hirani, a computer science major from Peachtree City
- Allie Hodges, a theater and communication studies double-major from Lizella
- Beth Ijeoma, a chemistry major from Dallas
- Elise Jones, a biology major from Midland
- Riley Kelly, a political science and sociology double-major from Grovetown
- Emily McCafferty, a neuroscience major from Atlanta
- Andrew McCommon, a biology major from Marietta
- Keana McKee, a history and anthropology double-major from Roswell
- Maret McWhorter, a creative writing and communication studies double-major from Alpharetta
- Sai Mediboyina, a psychology major from Suwanee
- Peyton Millwood, a history and political science double-major from Augusta
- Madeleine Pardue, an English major from Palmetto
- Manas Patel, a chemistry major from Brunswick
- Aleem Patni, a history major from Alpharetta
- Noah Porter, a psychology and religion double-major from East Dublin
- Braeden Prince, an international affairs and psychology double-major from Grovetown
- Brooke Roden, a neuroscience major from Guyton
- Makayla Shaffer, a psychology major from Acworth
- Madeline Silinskie, a psychology and women’s and gender studies double-major from Kennesaw
- Marti Sommers, a criminal justice and sociology double-major from Molena
- Anna Stein, a Spanish major from Alexandria, Virginia
- Dominick Still, a biology major from Cumming
- Anna Strupp, a psychology major from Marine St. Croix, Minnesota
- Olivia Van Meter, a Spanish major from Fayetteville
- Aditya Vayalapalli, a biochemistry and molecular biology major from Duluth
- Katie Volz, a communication studies and English double-major from Canton
- Hannah Walker, a neuroscience major from Ocilla
- Abigail Williamson, a chemistry major from Opelika, Alabama
- Emily Wolfe, a global health studies major from Clarkesville
Featured image: Forty-four students were inducted into the prestigious Phi Beta Kappa Society by Mercer University’s Zeta of Georgia Chapter for the 2025-2026 academic year. (Front) Phi Beta Kappa Society CEO Frederick Lawrence and Mercer University President Dr. Penny L. Elkins. Photo by Leah Yetter.
