Academics

About the Society

Phi Beta Kappa is the most highly regarded mark of academic distinction in America. Society membership is extended to only about 10 percent of the nation's institutions of higher learning and only about ten percent of those institutions' graduates. Washington College's Theta Chapter was chartered in February 2007.

The society's mission is to honor and advocate the ideals of a liberal arts education. Society members prize freedom of inquiry and expression, rigorous scholarship within and among the disciplines, breadth of intellectual perspective, the cultivation of skills of deliberation and ethical reflection, and the pursuit of wisdom. Among its programs are academic and literary awards, lectureships, a fellowship, a professorship, and publication of The American Scholar, an award-winning quarterly journal.

Invitations to join Phi Beta Kappa are extended each spring to Washington College students, usually seniors, of exceptional academic achievement. The Annual Induction Ceremony is held each April.

In addition to sponsoring campus events that are consistent with the overall mission of the Society, each spring, Washington College's Theta Chapter of Phi Beta Kappa presents the Gerda Blumenthal Award to a first- or second-year student for special scholarly work in the Humanities.

Chapter Officers

• T. Clayton Black, Associate Professor of History - President
• Katherine S. Maynard, Assistant Professor of Modern Languages - Vice President
• Andrew L. Oros, Assistant Professor of Political Science - Secretary
• Corey A. Olsen, Assistant Professor of English - Treasurer

For information, please contact Professor Oros.

Gerda Blumenthal Phi Beta Kappa Award

Dr. Gerda Blumenthal

The Gerda Blumenthal Phi Beta Kappa Award is awarded annually to a rising sophomore or junior to support special scholarly work in the Humanities. In April, recipients of the award will participate in the annual Phi Beta Kappa induction ceremony where the award will be announced. In addition, upon completion of the project, recipients will present their projects to the members of Phi Beta Kappa. Depending on the availability of funds, award money will range between $800 and $1200.

This award is made possible by a gift from Dr. Robert Kirkwood, former Dean of the College, who established the prize as a way to honor the memory of Dr. Gerda Blumenthal, a former Professor of Modern Languages at Washington College. She has been described by Dr. Thomas Pabon, Professor of Spanish Emeritus, as "a great teacher, a luminary who had a major impact on a lot of students." This award carries on Dr. Blumenthal's legacy by supporting students in their pursuit of intellectual excellence.

Dr. Blumenthal was born in Berlin and immigrated to the US with her family in 1939. She studied at Hunter College, where she became a member of Phi Beta Kappa. She later earned a Master's degree and a PhD from Columbia University. Dr. Blumenthal began teaching World Literature and French at Washington College in 1955 and later served as chair of the Department of Modern Languages. At the College, she earned a reputation as an excellent and inspiring teacher and received the first Lindback Award for Distinguished Teaching in 1964. She continued her teaching career as Professor of French and Comparative Literature at Catholic University before retiring in 1988. Dr. Blumenthal passed away in 2004 at the age of 80.

An expert in twentieth-century French literature, Dr. Blumenthal published several articles and three critically-acclaimed books: André Malraux: The Conquest of Dread (1960) and The Poetic Imagination of Georges Bernanos (1965) and Thresholds: A Study of Proust (1984).

Charter Members

View photos from the Phi Beta Kappa chapter installation.

Charter membership of the Theta Chapter of Maryland, Phi Beta Kappa Society, was extended to faculty members and College administrators who were initiated as Phi Beta Kappa members at the institutions granting their undergraduate degrees.

• Christopher Ames, Provost and Dean of the College
• T. Clayton Black, Associate Professor of History
• Jeffrey D. Brown, Assistant Professor of Biology
• Martin A. Connaughton, Associate Professor of Biology
• W. Robert Fallaw, Professor of History, Emeritus
• Alisha R. Knight, Assistant Professor of English
• Juan Lin, Professor of Physics
• Katherine S. Maynard, Assistant Professor of French
• Davy H. McCall, Lecturer in Economics, Emeritus
• Corey A. Olsen, Assistant Professor of English
• Andrew L. Oros, Assistant Professor of Political Science
• Rosette M. Roat-Malone, Adjunct Professor of Chemistry
• Ruth C. Shoge, Director of Miller Library
• John B. Taylor, Professor of Political Science
• Baird Tipson, President of the College
• John S. Toll H'04, President Emeritus of the College
• Aileen D. Tsui, Assistant Professor of Art
• Peter J. Weigel, Assistant Professor of Philosophy
• Jennifer M. Whitehead, Director of Math Center

Foundation Members

Foundation membership of the Theta Chapter of Maryland, Phi Beta Kappa Society, was extended to select members of the alumni body.

Initiated Members

The inaugural Phi Beta Kappa Class of 2007 was initiated in April 2007.

April 17, 2007