Press Release

May 12, 2023 | By Cole Hatcher

Ohio Wesleyan this spring inducted 23 Bishops into Phi Beta Kappa – the nation’s oldest academic honor society. Only 10 percent of all U.S. colleges and universities have chapters of the prestigious honor society. (Photo by Mark Schmitter ’12)

2023 Phi Beta Kappa Inductees

Ohio Wesleyan Welcomes 23 Students into Nation’s Oldest Academic Honor Society

DELAWARE, Ohio – Ohio Wesleyan University inducted 23 new members into its Eta Chapter of the Phi Beta Kappa National Academic Honor Society during a campus ceremony May 12.

The new inductees join a historic organization that counts 17 U.S. presidents, 42 Supreme Court justices, and more than 150 Nobel laureates among its members. Ohio Wesleyan’s 2023 Phi Beta Kappa members include the following fall 2022 and spring 2023 graduates:

  • Ali Amer of Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan
  • Alena Arnold of Jeromesville, Ohio
  • Audrey Calvin of Medina, Ohio
  • Daniel Eilert of Loveland, Ohio
  • Autumn Ford of New Albany, Ohio
  • Josie Fornara of Coshocton, Ohio
  • Max Goulakos of Solon, Ohio
  • Brooke Hall of Julian, Pennsylvania
  • Grace Ison of Oakmont, Pennsylvania
  • Kaito Iwasaki of Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
  • Vincent Larente of Phoenix, Arizona
  • Jenna Leek of Cincinnati, Ohio
  • Rachel Leslie of Escondido, California
  • Teresa Martin of Rochester, New York
  • Nora McIntosh of Dublin, Ohio
  • Avery Newcom of Denver, Colorado
  • McKenna Roush of Delaware, Ohio
  • Navami Shenoy of Delhi, India
  • Isabel Solowiej of Amherst, Ohio
  • Graham Steed of Marion, Ohio
  • Myles Steed of Marion, Ohio
  • Nathan Sturgill of McDermott, Ohio
  • Harika Vandrasi of Dublin, Ohio

Nationwide, only 10 percent of all U.S. colleges and universities have Phi Beta Kappa chapters, and each of these 293 chapters selects only 10 percent of their graduates annually to join through a highly selective, merit-based invitation process.

Based in Washington, D.C., Phi Beta Kappa was founded in 1776, and its name originated from the motto “Love of learning is the guide of life.” Ohio Wesleyan’s Eta Chapter was founded in 1907.

The honor society’s mission is to champion education in the liberal arts and sciences, to recognize academic excellence, and to foster freedom of thought and expression. Learn more about Phi Beta Kappa at www.pbk.org.

Learn more about Ohio Wesleyan’s Honors Program at owu.edu/honors and its Phi Beta Kappa chapter at owu.edu/pbk.


Founded in 1842, Ohio Wesleyan University is one of the nation’s premier liberal arts universities. Located in Delaware, Ohio, the private university offers more than 70 undergraduate majors and competes in 24 NCAA Division III varsity sports. Through its signature experience, the OWU Connection, Ohio Wesleyan teaches students to understand issues from multiple academic perspectives, volunteer in service to others, build a diverse and global perspective, and translate classroom knowledge into real-world experience through internships, research, and other hands-on learning. Ohio Wesleyan is featured in the book “Colleges That Change Lives” and included on the U.S. News & World Report and Princeton Review “Best Colleges” lists. Connect with OWU expert interview sources at owu.edu/experts or learn more at owu.edu.