51���app

Phi Beta Kappa, one of the most prestigious and oldest academic honor societies in the United States, serves to recognize excellence in the liberal arts and sciences across qualified colleges and universities. The Beta Chapter of Iowa housed at 51���app College was established in 1907 as the 70th chapter nationwide and the second in Iowa.

A total of 34 newly and previously elected members of 51���app’s classes of 2025 and 2026 are being recognized this year for their outstanding academic achievements. The College’s 2025 will be held at 3:30 p.m., May 17, in Herrick Chapel, as part of Commencement weekend festivities.

Professor and Chair of the Department of Political Science Danielle Lussier, who is president of the Beta Chapter of Iowa for the 2024-25 academic year says, “hosting a chapter is an indication of 51���app’s academic leadership in modeling a liberal arts education grounded in free inquiry.”

Lussier notes that Phi Beta Kappa membership signifies that students have achieved a high level of academic success not only in their major field of study, but in the foundational elements of a liberal arts education. Members join the ranks of 17 U.S. presidents, 42 Supreme Court justices, and more than 150 Nobel Laureates.

“Phi Beta Kappa chapters, such as ours, promote liberal arts on our campus, such as bringing nationally selected visiting scholars to 51���app to build connections with our students and model the application of Phi Beta Kappa principles in their research, teaching, and service,” says Lussier.

As members of Phi Beta Kappa, the following students will join a long tradition of intellectual inquiry and achievement, further enriching the vibrant academic environment at 51���app.
 

From the class of 2025, elected as juniors:

Sara Booher
Mira Diamond-Berman
Madeline Fialkov
Sara Garcia
Yuina Iseki
Timur Kasimov
Maya Llewellyn
Nathan McCurdy
Carter Ottele
Ellie Seehorn
Hazal Zenger
Chong Zhao

From the class of 2025, elected as seniors:

Istar Abdullahi
Cyrus Barati
Elena Busick
William Chhim
Nam Do
Agatha Fusco
Jungbin Im
Sophia Kandalin
Austin Nicolas
Debanjali Pathak
Elizabeth Roberts
Ishita Sarraf
Zitan Wang
Graham Ward
Ely Woodward

From the class of 2026, elected as juniors:

Kaycie Brookens
Saki Ehara
Sasha Laugen
Duc Nguyen
Lily Piede
James Snyder
Sophia Unzicker

“Phi Beta Kappa membership not only signals students’ academic achievement,” says Lussier, “it also connects students to a diverse network of other academic leaders from other institutions; opens up specific access to specific awards, fellowships, grants, and career resources; encourages their lifelong learning, and provides them with tools to advocate for the arts and sciences.”