HWS News
7 May 2025 Newest Members Inducted into Phi Beta Kappa
Students join the nation’s oldest honors society celebrating excellence in the liberal arts and sciences.
Thirty HWS students were recently inducted into HWS’ Zeta chapter of Phi Beta Kappa. They join four students who were inducted into HWS’ Phi Beta Kappa chapter, Zeta of New York, as juniors in 2024.
"Phi Beta Kappa is dedicated to fostering intellectual inquiry and has always been a strong voice promoting, in the words of the society, 'scientific inquiry, liberty of conscience, critical thinking and creative endeavor for all,' says Professor of Physics Donald Spector, president of the HWS Phi Beta Kappa chapter.
Spector says each year he is continually impressed by the creative ways HWS students have taken advantage of the opportunities at HWS. “The achievements of these students are not only impressive in and of themselves, but they make HWS a richer and more vibrant academic institution for all of us,” he says.
The annual Phi Beta Kappa event began with a reception in the Common Room of the Scandling Campus Center followed by a banquet and the induction ceremony.
This year, 27 seniors have been elected to the society: Margaret Adams, Amina Assefaw, Margaret Bevars, Nora Blohm, Abigail Cole, Katherine Colvin, William Corbett, Isabella De Nes, Brogan Dietsche, Finn Foley, Jackson Gellert, Kae Gould, Erin Kerwin, Ethan Kowalski, Rebecca Mantione, Sam Maslow, Santina Masters, Marissa Mastracco, Abigail McKenna, Carter Meshanic, Hunter Meshanic, Andrew Painton, Annabel Ramsay, Maura Smeader, Troy Steiner, Mia Tetrault and Jack Yates.
Three juniors were also elected this year: Nicolas Diaz-Aguilar ’26, Carly Scott ’26 and Delaney Williams ’26.
The students join four members of the Class of 2025 who were elected last year as juniors: Sophia Mughal ’25, Elizabeth Palumbo ’25, Julia Pida ’25 and Shaan Vernenkar ’25.
Zeta of New York, Hobart and William Smith’s local Phi Beta Kappa chapter, was established in 1871. It is the sixth oldest in New York, and one of the oldest in the country. Selected students must demonstrate excellent academic standing, breadth of academic studies and intellectual curiosity.
Every year, Zeta inducts students into lifetime membership in Phi Beta Kappa. To date, more than 1,000 HWS alums have been inducted to the Zeta Chapter of New York. Two dozen graduating seniors are typically elected each year, along with a handful of the most accomplished juniors.
HWS’ Zeta chapter is supported by the Dr. Arnold N. Cohen ’71 and Dr. Colleen R. Carey Endowed Phi Beta Kappa Fund. This initiative was created by Cohen and Carey in honor of the chapter’s 150th anniversary in 2021.
Top: Newly inducted members of Phi Beta Kappa gather for a photo.
