Phi Beta Kappa Keys to Action Slideshow

Celebrating 240 Years of Phi Beta Kappa

December 5, 2016 marked the 240th anniversary of the founding of Phi Beta Kappa. 2016 was also the 12th year of Phi Beta Kappa at Geneseo. Geneseo’s Phi Beta Kappa members proudly shared Phi Beta Kappa’s tradition of excellence in the liberal arts with our students, faculty, staff, and community with this snapshot of the chapter in 2016.

Excellence in creative activity — Associate registrar Stephen Almekinder is a science fiction / fantasy author.

Excellence in undergraduate research — Student PBK member Stephanie Allen (’17) did research in applied mathematics at the Institute for Pure and Applied Mathematics at UCLA.

Excellence in instruction — Head of library reference and access services Bonnie Swoger helped win the American Library Association Library Instruction Roundtable’s Innovation in Instruction award for Geneseo.

Excellence in service — Emeritus professor of history Bill Cook’s charitable foundation provides educational opportunities for some of the world’s poorest children.

Excellence in scholarly mentoring — Professor of English Tom Greenfield is editor of “Broadway: An Encyclopedia of Theater and American Culture,” including contributions by student PBK members Caitlin Klein (’10), Brian Balduzzi (’09), and Marisa Fratto (’06).

Excellence in innovation — Student PBK member Hannah Loo (’17) founded the TEDxSUNYGeneseo series of web talks.

Excellence in teaching — College president Denise Battles partnered with Art Educator Jane Rhoades Hudak to develop educational materials that explore the intersections of art and geology.

Excellence in undergraduate research abroad — Student PBK member Alexa Dananberg (’17) conducted and presented summer research in Germany.

Excellence in scholarship — Emeritus professor of English Gene Stelzig is the author of five scholarly books and many articles in Romantic and Life Writing Studies, and won the 2010 Barricelli Book Prize from the International Conference of Romanticism.

Excellence in leadership — the 2016-17 executive committee included student PBK members Erik Mebust (’17, member at large), and Stephanie Allen (’17, historian).

Excellence in scholarly mentoring — Professor of psychology Jennifer Katz studies women’s reproductive and sexual well-being; student co-authors include Sara Widgerson (shown) and PBK member Rachel Olin (’15).

Excellence in undergraduate research — student PBK member Jessica Heppler (’17) was a Summer Undergraduate Research Fellow at Harvard University.