Spectrum - Volume 19 Issue 30 May 1, 1997 - Phi Beta Delta chartered here

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Phi Beta Delta chartered here

Spectrum Volume 19 Issue 30 - May 1, 1997

The Gamma Omega Chapter of Phi Beta Delta, the nation's only international honor society, was chartered at Virginia Tech on April 10. Phi Beta Delta was founded in 1987 at California State University, Long Beach. The organization is dedicated to recognizing scholarly achievement in international education. As of December 1996, there were more than 100 chapters nation-wide.

The specific goals of PBD are: to recognize the scholarly achievement of international students and scholars, U.S. students who have studied abroad, and faculty and staff members who are involved in international activities; to serve as a vehicle for the development of academic-based international programming; to provide a network on each campus composed of faculty and staff members and students involved in international endeavors; and to extend this network to thousands of members in chapters throughout the nation.

The charter officers and planning team of the chapter include: William E. Lavery, president; Peter Schmitthenner, faculty vice president; Markus Grafe, international student vice president; Kerry Wekelo, U.S. student vice president; Florah Luseno, secretary; Rose Kimani, assistant secretary; Yatin Dayal, treasurer; Patrick Carlton, chapter coordinator; and Julie Trimpe, assistant chapter coordinator. Patrick Liverpool, vice provost for international programs, serves as an ex-officio member of the Board of Directors.

Offers of membership have been issued to a substantial number of Tech faculty members, administrators, and U.S. and international graduate and undergraduate students. Membership criteria include, in addition to significant participation in international activities and scholarship, a strong academic performance on the part of student members.

The society publishes The Phi Beta Delta International Review , the proceedings of the annual national conference, a newsletter-- The Medallion-- and other writings on international issues. Local chapters sponsor student scholarships and achievement awards for excellent international service, as well as hosting receptions, lectures and symposia on international issues.