Carolyn Zerhusen of Ellicott City Inducted into Phi Beta Kappa

2013 Apr 19

On April 2, 2013, the Zeta Chapter of Phi Beta Kappa at St. Mary's College of Maryland was proud to hold its 16th annual induction ceremony. Twenty-one St. Mary's College of Maryland students were initiated into the society. This includes Carolyn Mary Zerhusen of Ellicott City, MD, who is majoring in English at St. Mary's College.

Phi Beta Kappa was established in 1776 by students at the College of William and Mary. Today, there are 280 chapters of the society at different universities across the United States. St. Mary's College of Maryland was approved for a chapter in 1997 after a three-year review process to assess the College's rigor and academic prestige in the liberal arts and sciences. Fewer than ten percent of each St. Mary's senior class is inducted into Phi Beta Kappa, signifying the student's academic achievement, intellectual interests, and good moral character that has been displayed throughout their undergraduate career at the college.

The Zeta Chapter of Phi Beta Kappa was honored to have Dr. John Churchill attend the induction ceremony as a guest speaker. Dr. Churchill, the society's chief executive officer, was once vice president for academic affairs and head of Hendrix College, where he was also professor of philosophy and twice interim president. The Zeta Chapter also welcomed a St. Mary's College of Maryland alum, Patrick Vargas '92, as the alumnus initiate as well as Dr. Melvin B. Endy, Jr., former professor of religious studies at St. Mary's College of Maryland, as the honorary initiate.