Three American Indian Studies (AIS) students have been invited by Phi Beta Kappa to become scholars for life. Sierra Red Bow, Oglála Lakȟóta, an AIS and Environmental Science and Terrestrial Resource Management double major, is also an Outreach Co-Chair for First Nations @ UW, a vibrant student organization on campus. Reidar Kelstrup, an AIS and Linguistics double major was in our first cohort of Southern Lushootseed language students and has been accepted for graduate studies in Hawaii focusing on Hawaiian language revitalization. Andrea Verschuyl is an AIS major whose senior research is focused on the intersection of indigenous peoples and food, climate, and the environment. Phi Beta Kappa is the oldest and most respected undergraduate honor society in the United States. The society has fostered and recognized excellence in the liberal arts and sciences since 1776. The Washington Alpha Chapter, the first Chapter in Washington State, was established at the University of Washington in 1914.
PBK elects over 15,000 new members a year from 286 chapters across the United States, has over 50 associations, and supports the ideals of the society through academic, social, and community-based programs. Election to the Washington Alpha Chapter is based primarily on high scholarship, with an added requirement of a sufficient number of courses outside of the field of specialization. In support of our outstanding students, the AIS department will be paying for each student’s lifetime membership fee so they may accept their invitations without financial worries and take advantage of the many benefits PBK membership will offer them. Congratulations students!