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Phi Beta Kappa
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Phi Beta Kappa
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Number of dues-paying members: 108, as of our annual meeting, October 24, 2002. We have collected
additional dues from several members since then.
Scholarships:
Our main focus continues to be on providing a $1,200 scholarship for freshman year at each of the three Arizona
universities to a graduate of a Greater Phoenix area high school. The Board chooses the recipients from candidates'
applications submitted by the admissions offices of the three schools. Our guidelines include, in addition to SAT
or ACT scores, financial need, grade point average and major activities. Half of the scholarship is distributed
fall semester, with receipt of the second half determined by maintenance of a GPA of 3.0. Thus, we are committed
to $3,600 per year.
In 2001-2002, we had an unprecedented situation of one scholarship recipient failing to maintain an adequate GPA.
Her semester scholarship was distributed as additional funds to the other two recipients, each then receiving a
total of $1,500.
For the year 2002-2003, we had enough funds to continue scholarship assistance of $1,200 each to the two 2002-2003
recipients for their sophomore year. This was in addition to providing three new freshman scholarships of $1,200
each. Therefore, our total scholarship aid was $6,000.
At our April 24, 2003 Board meeting when we selected the top three freshman candidates at each university, we were
struck by the fact that a majority are the first in their families to attend college. Our goal is to collect enough
scholarship donations from both the membership and the community to continue two junior year scholarships, and
three sophomore year scholarships in addition to our minimum scholarship aid to three freshmen. Our total scholarship
aid for the year would then be $9,600.
Increasing our total scholarship aid in the past few years has led us to examine the historical patterns of giving
to the scholarship fund. The treasurer is researching the files and her report at the next Board meeting will determine
how we proceed. We have a number of members who do not attend the annual meeting or social events but who faithfully
support the scholarship fund.
Annual Membership Meeting:
Since the Western Key Newsletter of Fall, 2001, we have had a variety of activities. We celebrated the 20th anniversary
of the Association at our annual meeting on October 24, 2002, with a Social Hour, Dinner and Annual General Meeting.
The hospitality hour included a display of donated items being raffled to benefit the scholarship fund, and Andres
Lemon, flamenco guitarist provided music. Our banquet speaker was Mirna Lattouf, PhD, ASU Professor, Interdisciplinary
Studies, who spoke on "The Social History of Women in Islam, 7th Century C.E. to the Present".
The scholarship raffle at the annual meeting is a growing source of funds from the general public. In 2001, we
had four raffle items donated by Association members. In 2002, there were sixteen items, one donated by one Association
member, and all the rest by restaurants, supermarkets, movie theatres, the Arizona Diamondbacks and Phoenix Suns,
the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, and by Senator John McCain. We are learning as we go forward, with our goal
to have enough donations that we can double, triple our scholarships.
Membership Survey:
At the Annual Meeting in October, we distributed a survey to determine members' desires concerning the annual meeting.
We discovered that we cannot go higher than $50/meal, must have a location convenient to major highways and with
adequate parking, and that Thursday and Friday are preferred evenings. Respondents preferred waiter service to
buffet style and appreciated the cash bar. Several members noted that the food and venue are secondary to the speaker.
Suggestions for future speakers were to have more topics related to Islam, not to have a nationally known speaker
at a higher dinner price, and to take advantage of the faculty resources at ASU. In line with the last suggestion,
the annual meeting planning committee has been using the Arizona State University President's Community Enrichment
Program developed list of speakers and topics as a guide for choosing the speaker for Fall 2003.
Programs/activities/meetings:
In addition to the opportunity to get to know one another provided by the Annual Meeting, several groups meet monthly
on a social basis:
The Young Phi Betes Group meets on the second Thursday of the month for Happy Hours at various venues throughout
the Valley, and also has programmed social events such as an out-of-town visit to a winery and a group outing to
a Diamondbacks game.
There are two Lunch Bunch groups which meet monthly in Phoenix and in Scottsdale - both groups have been meeting
for many years, held together by dedicated group leaders.
We are in the planning stages for an evening discussion group, whose genesis has been members' desire to discuss
the current international situation.
We take advantage of many offerings at Arizona State University in Tempe. Each year we schedule a "Sneaker
Tour" which showcases one of the university's exceptional activities. Recent tours were at the Nelson Fine
Arts Center and at the Center for Environmental Studies. ASU movie discussions are scheduled on Friday nights in
the College of Business BA Building. And we publicize to our members the Phi Beta Kappa Visiting Scholar at ASU.
At the Phi Beta Kappa Initiation Banquet at ASU on April 21st, two Association members provided information about
Young Phi Betes to the new members, and signed up nine initiates for membership in the Association.
For the second time, we scheduled an outing on Tempe's Town Lake - a small body of water impounded in the dry Salt
River bed on which cruise boats provide not quite the ambiance of Venice.
We have discovered there is a core group of Association members who will sign up months in advance for group tours
at cultural institutions. At the Phoenix Art Museum, we scheduled tours of "Splendors from China's Imperial
Palace" and of "Masterworks, El Greco to Picasso". Both exhibits brought to Phoenix art works rarely
seen. The Arizona Science Center exhibit of Titanic Artifacts also appealed to our members, as did the Rudolf Valentino
film, "The Eagle" at the Orpheum Theater. Each cultural event group tour includes a no host dinner at
a nearby restaurant, for further socializing.
Board Structure:
President Ellyn Stein introduced several innovations. The president's book now has job descriptions for all officers.
The Board has divided responsibilities for various activities into a committee structure, so that more members
are involved. An ASU Phi Beta Kappa Chapter liaison person attends all Association Board meetings. Board meeting
minutes are now distributed by e-mail, with only a few needing to be sent snail mail. The ASU liaison now distributes
our minutes to others at ASU. We purchased the e-mail address list of all Phi Beta Kappa members in the Greater
Phoenix area from the Society and are using e-mail communication as much as possible.
Association Officers:
President, Ellyn Stein, MC
Vice President, , MS
Recording Secretary, , MIA
Membership Secretary, , BA
Treasurer, , PhD
Delegate to Triennial:
, Associate Professor
Submitted by:
We are a brand-new Association, not even chartered yet, but already have more than 100 dues-paying
members and have a scholarship program up and running.
Great news! The John and Helen Murphey Foundation has awarded our scholarship fund a one-year matching grant of
$5000 for scholarships to the UA. That means we can increase both the amount and number of our scholarships. This
year we awarded two UA scholarships of $500 and over the summer the scholarship committee, led by Kirsteen Anderson,
will recommend two high school students for $500 scholarships. Next year, with the Murphey monies and matching
donations, we will have up to $10,000 in scholarship funds--a whole new level of support for excellence in education.
Our newsletter details the exciting events we have each month. The spring calendar was loaded with events appealing
to a wide variety of tastes. Following up on hints that not all PBKans leave for the summer, we're trying a summer
show-and-tell discussion group. Fall events have been announced, and tentative plans for Spring 2004 include a
lecture/ discussion at the UA, a hike, and a combination of pleasure and business as we meet to ratify bylaw revisions,
elect officers, and enjoy meeting PBK friends both old and new.
Our leadership team is as follows:
President,
Vice-President and Program Chair,
Treasurer and University Liaison,
Secretary,
Director,
Scholarship,
Membership,
Submitted by:
Website: www.pbk-socal.org
Our purpose continues as throughout its history to provide members with opportunities to meet
one another, to enjoy educational and cultural events through at least three events each year, and to serve the
cause of higher education by means of a generous scholarship program. The 2002-2003 year closed with over 2,100
members.
A significant and very meaningful event for our Association in the 2002-2003 year was our sponsorship, by invitation
of The Phi Beta Kappa Society, of a "Conversation" on "A Question of Relevance: The Social Value
of the Liberal Arts." This all-day Saturday event in April at Occidental College was highlighted by the keynote
address of Society Secretary John Churchill, followed by a panel discussion featuring Pomona College Professor
John E. Seery, University of Southern California Professor James Ragan, and Music Professor Joe McNalley, moderated
by our president, Professor Scott Littleton. The day continued with open discussion and four breakout sessions
related to liberal education as preparation for social contribution, as personal development of the individual,
as education for citizenship, and as career preparation.
Three other well-received events were: a dinner meeting in October at the Town and Gown Center of the University
of Southern California featuring an address by Kevin Starr, California State Librarian, and author; a lecture/demonstration
in March at the Orange County Museum of Art, with an address by Dr, Paul Laird, musicologist, and a performance
by the Hutchins Consort, the world's only ensemble of professional musicians performing on eight acoustically matched
violins; and a luncheon in May at the new Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels followed by an address by Nick Roberts,
AIA, project manager of the Cathedral construction and self-guided tours of the edifice. The Association's annual
meeting was a part of this event.
We continued with three scholarship award programs, marking an increase in funds distributed
to the largest annual amount in our history, $68,500. Through our International Scholarship Fund, in effect for
over a half-century, we assisted twenty-five graduate scholars in local universities. We continued to honor one
Phi Beta Kappa initiate from each of the ten colleges and universities in our area with a Graduate Study Award.
Our High School Award program assisted eight high school seniors from public schools in underprivileged areas of
Los Angeles in their need for funds to make the transition to college.
Our membership is kept informed by a well-prepared annual newsletter called Key Notes, with information about our
awards programs, events of the year, profiles of officers and of members who have achieved professional or other
recognition, and a message from the Association president. A full page of the newsletter is devoted to the Honor
Roll, a long list of members who during the year gave to the Scholarship Funds.
Our Association officers for 2002-2003 who would all continue into the next year were:
, President
and , Vice Presidents
, Recording Secretary
, Corresponding Secretary and Archivist
Hermann Muennichow, Treasurer
, Immediate Past President
These officers have the support of an able Council of twenty-six members, who meet four times a year.
Delegates to the 2003 Triennial Council are C. Scott Littleton and , graduate study awards chairman. Alternates are , past president, and Jean Paule.
Submitted by , Corresponding Secretary.
Website: www.pbknca.org
As always, we are striving to increase the number of our members, as their $25 dues and additional donations enable
us to support academic excellence in the form of graduate scholarships. Our membership in September 2002 was ll63.
The financial support from these members allowed Gamma Association to award $4000 scholarships to eight truly outstanding
graduate students in 2003. The generosity of Maria and Burt Norall fully funded one of these graduate scholarships.
In addition, our Association was able to recognize five exceptional tenure-track faculty members with Teaching
Excellence certificates and $500 honoraria. Our Association made these presentations at our annual Awards Dinner
in May 2003 held at the UC Berkeley Faculty Club. In the last decade we have dispersed over $360,000 in scholarships
and more than $15,000 in Teaching Excellence awards.
Although membership dues and donations provide most of the money for these awards, our programs are also an important
source of funds. Our current Program Chair Steve Kaufhold planned a variety of activities that not only fostered
camaraderie among the membership, but also raised money for scholarships. In 2002-2003 our members enjoyed visits
to the Marine Mammal Center, COPIA, the Chabot Space and Science Center, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art,
Filoli, and Angel Island. In addition, Mary Hanel and Jean James helped plan late spring and early summer visits
to the Luther Burbank Gardens, the Winchester Mystery House, the Napa Valley Wine Train, and the graduation ceremony
at Guide Dogs for the Blind.
Besides the interesting and educational programs planned by our Program Chair, our annual President's Day Weekend Asilomar retreat in Pacific Grove is an important fund
raiser for our organization. Jean James has chaired the event for several years and is also in charge of the 2004
conference. At this beautiful location, in 2003 our members listened to speakers on such diverse topics as the
history of Stanford's Hopkins Marine Station, traveling alone across Russia on the Trans-Siberian Railroad, the
alphabet's influence on women's status, secret WWII research on poison gasses, and early printed texts. A highlight
of this year's conference was a visit from John Churchill. Asilomar also provided our Association with the opportunity
to participate in National's invitation to conversation regarding the social value of a liberal arts education.
Our Association values its younger members (20 to 40) and is working to involve them in social and networking activities,
via a Young Phi Betes group. Interested members can obtain further information about this group by contacting
. Our web site, developed by past president Ray Hendess, remains a valuable source
of information about our organization and its activities.
Besides awarding scholarships and sponsoring activities, we publish a Newsletter three times a year, one of which
goes to all 28,000+ Phi Betes in Northern California. We are currently trying to evaluate whether the expense of
this mailing is worth the return. In addition, in 2002 our Association published a membership directory, which
our bylaws require every three years.
This year Mary Hanel and Jean James will be attending the Phi Beta Kappa's Triennial in Seattle, Mary courtesy
of National and Jean, courtesy of the Association.
President Mary Hanel comments, "I am proud of our Association's dedication to raising funds to provide annual
Scholarship and 'Teaching Excellence' awards. By providing the funds for these awards, our members help us achieve
Phi Beta Kappa's goal of encouraging the pursuit of excellence. I am inspired by the outstanding work of the graduate
students who receive our scholarships and by the ability of the professors who receive our 'Teaching Excellence'
awards to instill a love of learning in their students. I am also pleased that we offer programs and an annual
conference that provide educational and social opportunities for our members. Our fundraising activities are fun
and support our own members delight in sharing information, making new friends, and learning more about the world
around us. I am also proud of our Association's hardworking Board members who are such a pleasure to work with."
Association Officers:
President:
First Vice President, Programs:
Second Vice President, Scholarships:
Third Vice President, Membership:
Recording Secretary:
Corresponding Secretary:
Treasurer:
Teaching Excellence Chair:
Newsletter Chair:
Chapter Liaison Chair:
Asilomar Chair:
Immediate Past President:
Submitted by:
Website: http://et.sdsu.edu/dlatorre/PBK/Epsilon.htm
Epsilon Association has a paid membership of about 300 drawn from the 5000 PBK members who reside
in the greater San Diego area. The Association's signature activity is a Scholarship Recognition Program which
makes the following annual awards:
High School Book Awards: Academic excellence demonstrated by juniors in 55 local high schools is recognized by
an award of a scholarly book.. Margit Smith manages this activity.
New Initiate Scholarships: Four $500 scholarships - two at San Diego State University and two at UC San Diego -
are awarded to PBK initiates. Bob McCoy manages this activity.
Graduate Fellowships: Outstanding achievement by PBK members engaged in advanced study is recognized by three $3000
fellowships. Dawn Rawls and Loren Lee manage this activity.
The program cost of about $10,000 is funded from not only Association members but also foundations and local businesses.
The goal of the Association is to have an overall program of $25,000 annually and efforts are underway to increase
funding from the latter two sources. Sheila Siemienczuk manages fundraising for the Association.
In the fall, the Association mails a newsletter to all 5000 PBK members in San Diego and also sends two additional
newsletters annually to Association members.
During the year, Epsilon Association hosts three Sunday Salons which feature lectures on various topics ranging
from poetry to literature to science. Robert McCoy manages this the Sunday Salons.
The annual meeting is held in conjunction with a brunch which is attended by more than 100 people. Traditionally,
entertainment has been provided by the San Diego Readers Theater group organized and directed by Robert McCoy.
The principal officers of the Association are:
President:
Vice president:
Membership:
Secretary:
Treasurer:
Newsletter:
Other members of the Board are Robert McCoy, Steven Brody, Dawn Rawls, Margit Smith and Sheila Siemienczuk.
Submitted by:
website: www.pbkcolorado.org
Alpha Association of Colorado has a membership of over 300 drawn from approximately 9000 PBK members residing in
the state of Colorado. Headquartered in Denver, we hold meetings and sponsor intellectually stimulating programs
and events such as lectures, discussion groups, and field trips. A major activity of the Association is a competitive
scholarship program. Spring and fall newsletters are sent each year to Association members. We are celebrating
this year: 2003 marks our tenth anniversary as a chartered Phi Beta Kappa alumni organization.
Scholarship Recipients for the 2002-2003 Academic Year
Alpha Association awarded two $1,500 scholarships in 2002. Recipients were Yen Phi Vo from the University of Denver
who is doing graduate work in biochemistry research and Caitlin Dull from the University of Colorado who is attending
law school. Since 1994 Alpha Association of Colorado has awarded $15,000 in scholarships to 16 Phi Beta Kappa initiates
or members who were beginning or continuing graduate school. The purpose of these scholarships is to further the
pursuit of knowledge and academic excellence.
Annual Banquet
The Annual Banquet, our most popular and well attended event, was held on February 27, 2003 at the Denver Country
Club. Dr. Howie Movshovitz was our guest speaker. Dr. Movshovitz is the film critic for Colorado Public Radio,
a contributor to National Public Radio's "Morning Edition", and the director of education at the Starz
Film Center on the University of Colorado at Denver campus. Dr. Movshovitz discussed the importance of foreign
and American films as an art form.
PBK National Forum
Alpha Association was proud to be selected to host one of 17 conversations held around the United States between
October 2002 and June 2003. The National Society asked members to explore the topic, "A Question of Relevance:
The Social Value of the Liberal Arts and Sciences" in a conversation format. The discussion results were recorded
and are being compiled for use at the 2003 Triennial Council. A final paper will be produced to convey the results
of this multi-year process, which is all part of the Phi Beta Kappa Forum. Our conversation was held January 25,
2003 on the University of Denver Campus in cooperation with Gamma Chapter at DU. The 25 attendees provided valuable
input and were enthusiastic participants in this provocative process. The conversation considered the merits of
four competing views of the social value of a liberal education as outlined in the National PBK "working paper",
namely: (a) personal development, (b) citizenship, (c) career development, and (d) social contributions. The majority
of the Colorado participants ranked "personal development" as the most important goal of a liberal education,
but the debate was lively.
Summer Discussion in the Garden
Another very popular event with members is our annual "Summer in the Garden" discussion. Each year, we
meet in the lovely garden of our Association's founding member, Kathy Price, to discuss a topic of interest to
us all. During the past two summers we have shared our favorite books and our favorite travel destinations. Summer
2003 we will discuss: My favorite American hero - what makes a "hero".
Events
Other activities this past year included a lecture on "Project Cure" by Dr. W. Douglas Jackson. Dr. Jackson,
also an attorney, is the co-founder and director of a wonderful organization to distribute excess and unused American
medical supplies to Third World clinics and hospitals in dire need of help. Our annual meeting in 2002 included
a travel lecture on New Zealand and Tasmania, and our 2003 annual meeting attendees were treated to a travel lecture
on China. Alpha Association members and their guests are also fortunate to be able to attend dress rehearsals of
both Opera Colorado and the Colorado Symphony Orchestra - at little or no cost. The 2002 operas were Tosca, Hansel
and Gretel and Eugene Onegin; the 2003 operas were Lucia di Lammermoor, Sweeney Todd and Don Giovanni. The CSO
program was Mozart's Requiem.
With many activities and organizations competing for the participation of much sought after Phi Beta Kappa members,
Alpha Association is fortunate to have the dedication of its officers and members in providing a venue for stimulating
and enriching dialogue. It is proud to have an opportunity to offer scholarships to Colorado Phi Betes to help
them continue their education in graduate school. Our association believes in pursuing the goals of Phi Beta Kappa...excellence
and life-long learning.
The Alpha Association delegate to the 2003 National Triennial in Seattle is , our President.
Our officers for the 2003-2004 term are:
President:
First Vice President,
Second Vice President,
Secretary,
Treasurer,
Submitted by: , Secretary
The Los Alamos Association of Phi Beta Kappa presented a $1000 scholarship to Los Alamos High School student Mariana Uribe at the annual dinner for outstanding seniors held May 4. Dr. Jill Trewhella of Los Alamos National Laboratory spoke to the audience of students, Phi Beta Kappa members and guests on the topic "The Challenges of Bio-Science in the 21st Century."
Officers of the Association are:
President
Vice-President
Treasurer
Secretary
Submitted by:
Website: http://www.psa-pbk.org/
With 450 members and growing, the Puget Sound Association of Phi Beta Kappa in all the counties of Washington State
anywhere near Puget Sound, is having a very active year. We are very much looking forward to the Triennial Council
being held in Seattle in August, 2003.
Our website http://www.psa-pbk.org/ got so many hits that the number rolled back over. On the site are listed activities
as well as numerous ways to contact us, with email address forwarding ability. For example, the
email is forwarded to the administrative assistant
plus one officer, the email goes to the president's work and home email
addresses.
The Key Connection, the Association's newsletter, issues are available as PDF via http://psa-pbk.org/newsletter.html.
ACTIVITIES
In 2001-2002 we had the following events:
(1) Fall Luncheon, October 19, 2001, In Tacoma. Speaker: Christoph Harner, Financial Analyst, The Russell Company.
(2) Burke Museum, Seattle,Tour, February 23, 2002.
(3) Spring Luncheon, April 18, 2002, in Seattle. Speaker: Prof. Jere Bacharach, Dept. of History, University of
Washington.
(4) Walking Tour of the Puget Sound Environmental Learning Center on Bainbridge Island, April 27, 2002
In 2002-2003:
(1) Fall Luncheon, October 16, 2002, in Tacoma at the Washington State History Museum, featuring speaker, Susan
Warner, the Museum of Glass's Director of Education.
(2) St. James Cathedral Tour, Seattle, November 13, 2002.
(3) Spring Luncheon, May 13, 2003, speaker: Bill Gates Sr.
(4) Seattle Chinese Garden Tour, June 7, 2003
SCHOLARSHIPS
Undergraduate Scholarships: In 2002, we gave six undergraduate scholarships - primarily to college juniors -- 3
scholarships @ $2,000 and 3 @ $1,500, a total of $10,500. In 2003, we expect to give 6 undergraduate scholarships
at $1,500 for a total value of $9,000.
The Ernest Stiefel Graduate Student Award was established to honor this longtime Board Member. In 2002, there were
two recipients of $2,000 each, one at the University of Puget Sound and one at the University of Washington. In
2003, we expect have at least one recipient.
AWARDS
Just as the PBK key has the hand pointing to the stars, our Pathfinder Awards honors individuals and corporations
who have inspired others in the process of unfolding the unknown. We present the certificates at the Spring Luncheon
and honor also each pathfinder in our Spring newsletter issue.
In 2002, four awards were made as follows: 1 to an organization (Seattle Girls' School) and 3 to individuals in
the community (Clarence Acox, Director of Jazz at Garfield High School; Mary Margaret Welch, Mercer Island High
School teacher; Elena Mayer, 8th grade student at The Evergreen School).
In 2003, we gave 3 individual awards (Thomas Carlson, University of Washington Transition School/Early Entry Program;
Mina Miller, "the soul" of the Music of Remembrance program; Helen Wong, for creation of a community
service program to mentor 8th graders and prepare them for adjustment to high school.)
Our High School Book Awards program has been revitalized. In the past, the book was a dictionary. In 2003, it is
The Metaphysical Club by Louis Menand. High schools in the Puget Sound area were asked to select at least one senior
for this award; they could select more and paid for additional books. Approximately 65 schools participated.
Other Accomplishments
Membership: We have used several techniques for attracting new members to the Association - using National's data
on CDROM - and attracted quite a few new members, some in the 98040 (Mercer Island) area and some at the University
of Washington, and we extended their brand new membership 12 months. We used the National list for specific zip
codes, checked electronic hone directories for current addresses, and mailed out an issue of a newsletter to encourage
non-members to sign up for an activity or otherwise contact us.
Bylaws Revision: Through hard work, a complete Bylaws revision was achieved and related Articles of Incorporation
revisions were done.
Archives: All Association records have been gathered into one place to be put into the University of Washington
Archives.
Triennial Council: A number of members have put it time and effort on responsibilities related to Council's being
in Seattle. These include members working on the Delegates' Reception, preparing a list of restaurants, preparing
a list of places of worship, and coordinating volunteers for the registration and hospitality tables.
Officers for the 2002-2003 Year Are:
President
Vice-Pres.
Secretary
Treasurer
Administrative Assistant,
Submitted by: , President, 2001-2003
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Acknowledgment: The Western District thanks the Editor, Ray Hendess, for use of his web
space.