MACON, Ga. — Forty-six students were inducted into the prestigious Phi Beta Kappa Society by Mercer University’s Zeta of Georgia Chapter for the 2024-2025 academic year. It is the largest class of inductees since Mercer’s chapter was established in 2016.
The invitation process is considered one of the most selective in the nation. 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.
“Induction into Phi Beta Kappa is the highest honor available to a liberal arts student,” said Dr. David A. Davis, president of the Zeta of Georgia chapter. “Only 10% of colleges and universities shelter chapters of Phi Beta Kappa, and only 10% of the students at those institutions are inducted into Phi Beta Kappa, so membership is a rare and significant achievement.”
The following students make up Mercer’s 10th induction class:
- Aderonke Esther Adewumi, a biochemistry and molecular biology major from Conyers
- Stephanie Alexandra Amendola, a biology and French double major from Peachtree City
- McKayla M. Ayettey, a biology major from Augusta
- Chase Daniel Baker, a global health studies, international affairs and Spanish triple major from Lawrenceville
- Aylah Maresa Birks, a neuroscience major from Dry Branch
- Isabella Ann Bordenca, a Spanish and chemical commerce double major from Dunwoody
- Bailey Leonor Byrdsong, a Spanish major from Buford
- Zachary Thomas Carman, a neuroscience major from Marietta
- Reema Kalpesh Chande, a global health studies and psychology double major from Sugar Hill
- Evangeline A. Chidi-Maha, a psychology and Spanish double major from Lawrenceville
- Tatiana Frances Cobos, an international affairs and Spanish double major from Smyrna
- Emma Charlotte Davis, a Spanish major from Valdosta
- Dale Spencer Degonia, a law and public policy major from Waverly Hall
- Ian Gregory DeRosso, a global health studies major from Statesboro
- William Parker Dragoin, a law and public policy major from Americus
- Aurora Leigh Estabrook, a global health studies and statistics double major from Maynard, Massachusetts
- Haven Elisabeth Estabrook, a global health studies and statistics double major from Maynard, Massachusetts
- Rafael Garcia Chirino, a chemistry and Spanish double major from Canton
- Grace Nealie Gasaway, a psychology and Spanish double major from Roswell
- Ashleigh L. Gray, a chemical commerce major from New Smyrna Beach, Florida
- Anna Callista Hale, a political science major from Aiken, South Carolina
- Nyny Trieu Hoang, a Spanish major from Dacula
- Devin Myles Jones, an English and women’s and gender studies double major from Augusta
- Kylla Michelle Justice, a biochemistry and molecular biology major from Loveland, Colorado
- Harumi Carolina Kano Torres, an art, French and creative writing triple major from Johns Creek
- Mokshitha Katkoori, an international affairs and art double major from Flowery Branch
- Janhavi Gurudatta Kulkarni, a psychology major from Cumming
- Emily Anne Lewis, a global health studies major from Woodstock
- Ashley L. Morales-Lopez, a Spanish major from Grayson
- Carter Lane Murdaugh, a biochemistry and molecular biology major from Springfield
- Alana F. Murray, a cybersecurity and criminal justice double major from Cumming
- Nicole Evelyn Nelson, a classical studies, communication studies and Latin triple major from Alpharetta
- Naluchi Bernadette Okonkwo, a global health studies and Spanish double major from Powder Springs
- Davis Heejoon Park, a biochemistry and molecular biology major from Alpharetta
- Niyati Mukesh Patel, an international affairs, Spanish and global development studies triple major from Centerville
- Jana Alyssa Richardson, a biology major from Kingston, Jamaica
- Mandia Patricia Roberts, a global health studies and Spanish double major from Nassau, Florida
- Albert Jason Rother, an international affairs major from Columbus
- Zainab Shaik, a French, international affairs and global health studies triple major from Alpharetta
- Genevieve Evelynne Smith, a neuroscience major from Canton
- Shreya Sudakar, a biochemistry and molecular biology major from Marietta
- Emma Grace Teng, a chemical commerce and biochemistry and molecular biology double major from Mableton
- Jason Tha Siam Lian, a political science and Spanish double major from Canton
- Bryce R. Williams, a Spanish and biology double major from Hazlehurst
- Jalisa Marie Williams, a biochemistry and molecular biology and Spanish double major from Gray
- Ruth A. Windsor, a global health studies, psychology and Spanish triple major from Snellville
This year’s induction ceremony took place March 31 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 Dr. Holden Thorp (ΦBK, Alpha of North Carolina), the editor-in-chief of the Science family of journals for the American Academy for the Advancement of Science. Dr. Thorp delivered the seventh annual Malcolm Lester Phi Beta Kappa Lectures on the Liberal Arts and Public Life.
About Phi Beta Kappa
Founded by five students at the College of William and Mary on Dec. 5, 1776, The Phi Beta Kappa Society has chapters at 293 colleges and universities in the United States, 50 alumni associations and more than half a million members worldwide. Noteworthy members include 17 U.S. presidents, 42 U.S. Supreme Court justices and more than 150 Nobel laureates.
Featured image: Forty-six Mercer University students were inducted into the Phi Beta Kappa Society by Mercer University’s Zeta of Georgia Chapter for the 2024-2025 academic year during the March 31 Induction Ceremony on the Macon campus. Photo by Leah Yetter.
