History students at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa have once again earned national recognition for their academic excellence and dedication. The Alpha Beta Epsilon chapter at UH Mānoa earned the Best Chapter Award in Division V from the Phi Alpha Theta National History Honor Society. The award, which recognizes chapters for exceptional efforts in promoting historical study and engagement, is given annually by the national organization. Division V includes schools with enrollments between 15,001 and 23,000. This is the chapter’s first consecutive win and sixth overall.
“The 2023–24 academic year was a memorable year for our chapter. We increased our student membership, hosted a range of historical skills workshops and movie nights, and organized a research trip to explore Hawaiʻi’s material culture in the United Kingdom’s museums,” said Carissa Chew, last year’s chapter president who is now a doctoral student in Scotland.
Trek overseas
During the group’s research trip to the UK, members collaborated with professionals at the Pitt Rivers Museum at Oxford University. The experience provided valuable insights into potential career paths in museum care and preservation.
“I am so proud of our leadership and the support we’ve received over the years. Our organization is consistently finding new ways to adapt to a changing academic landscape, and I’d say we’re doing pretty well,” said Kale Kanaeholo, the chapter’s current president.
Repeated recognition
The chapter is also referred to as PAT–ABE which is a combination of the acronyms for the national honor society and the UH chapter. The group’s previous wins came in 2009, 2014, 2016, 2018 and 2023. This year’s award includes a $250 cash prize and a certificate of recognition.
For more on joining the Alpha Beta Epsilon chapter email patmanoa@hawaii.edu.
