Forty-two students from the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University have been inducted into Phi Beta Kappa, one of the nation’s most prestigious academic honor societies.
This is the 17th cohort of students who have been inducted into the chapter, which now counts nearly 900 members.
Those selected are Phi Beta Kappa members for life and receive a certificate to recognize their outstanding achievement.
A ceremony to honor the inductees was held April 22. CSB and SJU Provost Richard Ice provided opening remarks.
Student Rylie Owen, who was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa as a junior last year, gave the student address titled, “In Pursuit of Learning: The Importance of the Liberal Arts.”
Kevin Clancy, assistant dean for experiential education and director of the Experience HUB, offered remarks on the value of a liberal arts education titled, “The Ear of the Heart: Community, Experience and Questions.”
Clancy also was inducted as an alumnus member in recognition of his undergraduate record at Saint John’s and his distinguished career since graduation as a champion of global education and a tireless advocate for the liberal arts and experiential learning.
Students are chosen based on their grade-point average (3.85 for juniors, 3.65 for seniors) and must be a liberal arts and/or sciences major. The selection committee also looked at the breadth and depth of the student’s program and other achievements, such as a thesis or other research; interest in other cultures or languages; extracurricular activities; and academic performance.
Phi Beta Kappa is the nation’s oldest academic society. It was founded in 1776 by several students from the College of William and Mary during the American Revolution. It was originally intended to promote freedom of inquiry and liberty of thought and expression.
There are now over 290 chapters at select American colleges and universities, with more than 700,000 members who come from diverse backgrounds and experiences. According to the organization’s website, 10 percent of U.S. colleges and universities have Phi Beta Kappa chapters. Over 20,000 juniors and seniors are inducted every year.
Past members have included 17 U.S. Presidents, 42 Supreme Court justices and over 150 Nobel Laureates.
Here is a list of the 2026 inductees into the Theta Chapter of Phi Beta Kappa at Saint Ben’s and Saint John’s:
Seniors
- Henry Ascheman (English, art)
- Josie Braun (psychology)
- Connor Brynteson (computer science)
- Kennedy Bueno (biochemistry, pre-medicine)
- Eamon Cavanaugh (history)
- Michaela Clark (data science)
- Karoline Curlo (psychology)
- Anastasia Dailey (Hispanic studies, psychology)
- Alexa DeLeon (political science)
- Finnegan Dolezal (economics)
- Catherine Duffey (mathematics, psychology)
- Kobe Forbes (physics)
- Tianyu Fu (English)
- Clayton Fuller (biochemistry)
- Tarin Gatchell (political science, ancient Mediterranean studies)
- Madeleine Gaunt (peace studies)
- Benjamin Greshowak (history)
- Gretchen Gunderzik (chemistry)
- Owen Haubenschild (economics, mathematics)
- Alexandra Hoehne (history, political science)
- Edward Kies (political science)
- Samuel Kray (environmental studies)
- Lucas Kreft (environmental studies)
- Tatum Leibke (biology)
- Gretta Martin (computer science)
- Joseph Mechels (chemistry, Hispanic studies)
- Ashley Mehl (biochemistry, pre-medicine)
- Colin Middlekauff (art, biology)
- Grant Pedersen (biochemistry, pre-medicine)
- Katelyn Sutton (psychology)
- Lily Thomas (mathematics)
- Elizabeth Tix (biology)
- Caroline Tuck (chemistry)
- Caroline Wraneschetz (chemistry, English)
Juniors
- Teresa Cavanaugh (theology, economics)
- Benjamin Edwards (physics, computer science)
- Grant Hellermann (history and political science)
- Siena Maciej (economics, English)
- Katherine Stadum (biology, chemistry)
- Ellie Stonecipher (physics)
- Nin Tran (economics, mathematics)
- Jeffrey (Ziyang) Ye (psychology, sociology)
