Recognizing excellence: Phi Beta Kappa welcomes new members

The ceremony was intimate and brief, yet rich with tradition and meaning.

On a wintry spring afternoon on April 19, students and family members joined faculty (who donned full academic regalia) in the warm setting of Bobo Room in Hodgin Hall for an annual ceremony to induct seven students (and a special honorary member) into the UNM chapter of Phi Beta Kappa.

Presiding over the ceremony were Marygold Walsh-Dilley, an associate professor of geography and environmental studies, who is chapter president; Natalie Adolphi, director of the Center for Forensic Imaging and associate professor of biochemistry and molecular biology, who is chapter secretary; and Angela Beauchamp, department administrator for the Film and Digital Arts Program, who is the chapter's historian.

Phi Beta Kappa, founded in 1776, is an honor society that champions education in the arts and sciences, fosters freedom of thought, and recognizes academic excellence. About 10% of U.S. colleges and universities have Phi Beta Kappa chapters, and about 10% of those students are selected to join, according to their website.

UNM's Phi Beta Kappa chapter - the Alpha Chapter of New Mexico - was established in 1965 and is housed in the Honors College. The chapter hosts an induction ceremony each spring.

The 2025 inductees into Phi Beta Kappa are:

• William Burris. Major: Biology. Minors: Math and Japanese. Graduation date: May 2025.
• Emily Castro. Major: Biology. Minor: Chemistry. Graduation date: May 2026.
• Feleecia Guillen. Majors: Business Administration and Spanish. Minors: Sustainability Studies and Psychology. Graduation date: May 2025.
• Esther Hewitt. Majors: Sociology/Sustainability. Graduation date: May 2025.
• Veronica Parra. Majors: Biochemistry and Economics. Minor: Health Medicine and Human Values. Graduation date: December 2027.
• Ariah Romero. Majors: Biochemistry and English. Graduation date: May 2026.
• Yamilet Sanchez Gonzalez. Majors: Accounting, Management Information Systems, and Operations Management. Minor: Spanish. Graduation date: May 2026.

A special feature this year was the induction of an honorary member: James Holloway, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs at UNM. This distinction, established by the founders of the society at the College of William & Mary, recognizes individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the humanities, sciences, and letters. The honor is among the highest conferred by Phi Beta Kappa and is strictly limited.

Walsh-Dilley said that Holloway was selected by this chapter for his "exceptional dedication to the pursuit of knowledge and the advancement of higher education."

"Dr. Holloway has been selected not only for his distinguished scholarly contributions and leadership in higher education but also for his steadfast support of the UNM chapter of Phi Beta Kappa," she said during the induction ceremony. "His dedication, time, and effort have been instrumental in maintaining and promoting the chapter, ensuring its continued growth and presence on campus. His commitment to fostering academic excellence and intellectual inquiry embodies the very ideals of Phi Beta Kappa."

In his remarks, Holloway said that his support of Phi Beta Kappa at UNM is because he believes in its values, and in the power of liberal arts and sciences as a force to unite and change the world for the better.

"Congratulations once again on your induction into Phi Beta Kappa, and to your dedication to both experiencing - and, I hope, supporting - a liberal arts education; that is, an education dedicated to creating thinkers who possess the freedom to act and influence the world."

Those interested in membership in Phi Beta Kappa's Alpha Chapter of New Mexico can learn more on the website.