There are few traditions with more history or prestige at Marietta College than the induction of students into Phi Beta Kappa.
It’s also one of the least known traditions since only the inductees, family members, the President and Marietta faculty who are also members of Phi Beta Kappa, are allowed to attend the private ceremony.
On Monday, May 2nd, Marietta inducted one of its largest classes with nine seniors — Eric DeLong (Lowell, Ohio), Michaela Hess (Painesville, Ohio), Madelyn Keener (Orrville, Ohio), Emily Kinney (Zanesville, Ohio), Christian Knox (Mount Vernon, Ohio), Shelby Millheim (Bethlehem, Pennsylvania), Bailey Sprague (Belpre, Ohio), Fredley Tynan (Marietta, Ohio) and Catherine Wadih (Cincinnati, Ohio). The 162nd induction ceremony was conducted in the Trustee Conference Room.
DeLong completed his degree requirements for a Bachelor of Arts in Public Accounting in December 2021. DeLong, who also earned a minor in Business Management, has secured a job with the accounting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers in Columbus, Ohio. He begins the job on July 11th.
“I am currently in the process of studying and taking sections for the CPA exam,” he said. “I am very grateful to have been nominated for Phi Beta Kappa, it was a major goal of mine since my freshman year in college. By taking advantage of the liberal arts experience, I was able to work with students of all backgrounds and develop newfound interests in other areas of study.”
Hess will receive a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science during the College’s Commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 7th. A member of Marietta’s rowing team, Hess hopes to coach rowing this summer in Cleveland and then explore her options.
“I am honored to be inducted into Phi Beta Kappa,” she said. “I am grateful to have had the chance at a liberal arts college to take classes in so many different disciplines.”
Keener will receive a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology, along with a certificate in Leadership Studies. She will remain at the College for one more year as she completes her Master of Arts in Psychology.
“When I got the email inviting me to join Phi Beta Kappa, I was honestly shocked,” she said. “I had no idea that I was qualified for such a prestigious honors society, but I am so grateful for this opportunity.”
Kinney will receive two Bachelor of Science degrees — one in Biochemistry and the other in Mathematics. In the fall, she will attend the University of Toledo to work on her Ph.D.
“I really appreciate how the school’s liberal arts philosophy has given me this opportunity and how the classes I have taken in various departments have given me a different perspective on so many things,” Kinney said.
Knox will receive his Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry and will start a summer fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh a few days after commencement. He will remain at Pitt to complete a Ph.D. with a specialization in physical organic chemistry.
“Honestly, I didn’t think I would make Phi Beta Kappa,” he said. “The requirements are unbelievably stringent which, when combined with a very structured and busy major, creates very high difficulty.”
Millheim will receive her Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry, as well as a certificate in Leadership Studies. She will enroll at the University of Pittsburgh in the fall to pursue a Ph.D. in Chemistry.
“I am extremely honored to be inducted into Phi Beta Kappa,” said Millheim, who is a four-year letter winner in lacrosse. “Throughout my four years here, I have been exposed to many valuable skills thanks to the liberal-arts education Marietta College has offered.”
Sprague will earn a Bachelor of Arts degree in History with a teaching license. A punter on the Marietta football team, Sprague is getting married in June and hopes to find a job teaching social studies at the high school level by the start of the next academic year.
“I appreciate the induction into Phi Beta Kappa and understand the significance of it,” Sprague said. “I’d like to thank all of my history professors, my capstone professor Dr. (Katy) McDaniel, professional historian professor Dr. (Brandon) Downing, and my education advisor Dr. (Tanya) Judd.”
Tynan will receive a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and will begin working at the Humane Society of the Ohio Valley in Marietta after graduation. She was a member of the College’s cross country team for the past three years.
“I had not planned for the Phi Beta Kappa honorary, so it was exciting to receive the invitation,” she said.
Wadih, a four-year letter winner in women’s rowing, will earn a Bachelor of Science degree in both Biology and Mathematics. She also minored in Gender Studies and will return home this summer and work as she figures out what to do next.
“I am excited to be a part of something that values the desire for a wide breadth of knowledge and encourages people to explore disciplines outside of their own,” she said. “I think that Phi Beta Kappa really embodies what the liberal arts ideology is all about.”