ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, April 22, 1997 TAG: 9704220069
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-7 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG
SOURCE: HAL SHEIKERZ THE ROANOKE TIMES
Three anniversaries celebrated by Phi Kappa Phi chapter.
It was a triple celebration for Virginia Tech's Phi Kappa Phi chapter Monday night.
The national honor society's annual banquet and initiation of new members also marked the 125th anniversary of the founding of Virginia Tech, the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi and the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Virginia Tech chapter.
Janet Johnson, a former president of the Virginia Tech chapter and the dean of the College of Human Resources and Education, was the guest speaker.
In honor of the triple celebration, the society honored three emeritus members: Don A. Garst, retired faculty member of the department of civil engineering; June Schmidt of the department of teaching and learning; and W. Emory Pace from the department of mathematics.
Four faculty members were also initiated: John V. Perumpral of the department of biological and systems engineering; Russell T. Jones of the department of psychology; Alan E. Bayer from the Center for Survey Research; and Deidre A. Hirschfeld from Engineering Fundamentals.
The society also recognized Medallion Award recipients. The award was given to students with the highest grade average for each college. A total of 10 awards were given because four students in the College of Arts and Sciences tied for the highest grade. Two students also received Phi Kappa Phi awards for academic excellence. Robyn Moore, an art major in the College of Arts and Sciences, received a $1,000 award of excellence from the national office. Jay Hulings, a double major in economics and political science, received a $500 chapter award.
Phi Kappa Phi recognizes achievement in all academic disciplines. Membership is given to juniors who are in the top 5 percent of their class and seniors and graduate students who are in the top 10 percent of their class. In addition, a limited number of faculty members are initiated. The organization's board of directors is limited to faculty.
Founding members of the Virginia Tech chapter include alumni such as Jay W. McBryde, Frank Robeson and Lewis O'Shaughnessy - all whom have buildings named after them.
At Monday's ceremony, new chapter officers were also introduced. They are president, Jerry Williams; vice president, Andrew Belser; secretary, Don Garst; treasurer, David Parrish; membership, Eldridge Collins; marshal, Don Mullins; and publicity, Paul Heilker.
LENGTH: Medium: 53 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: (headshot) Johnsonby CNB