Phi Beta Kappa national honor society accepts 103 new UH Manoa members

The Alpha of Hawaiʻi Chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, the national honor society for the liberal arts and sciences, will induct 103 new University of Hawaiʻi at Manoa undergraduate members at its annual initiation and banquet on May 3, 2006 at the Ala Moana Hotel.

The Chapter will also confer an Honorary Membership on Albert Wendt, noted Samoan playwright, novelist, and currently Citizen‘s Professor of English, University of Hawaiʻi at Manoa.

Founded in 1776, Phi Beta Kappa is the oldest and most prestigious academic honorary society in the nation. UH Manoa hosts the only chapter in the state — chartered in 1952 — and is one of only 270 chapters in the country. Since its chartering, more than 2,300 students have become members, in majors ranging from Anthropology to Zoology.

To be invited to membership, students must achieve a very high cumulative grade point average, demonstrate intellectual breadth in their upper-division work, and complete at least 60 credits in residence at the Manoa campus. The Alpha of Hawaii Chapter currently maintains an active mailing list of more than 700 members and friends.