OSU Phi Beta Kappa inducts Halligan, Ross and 29 student members

Tuesday, May 29, 2018

The Phi Beta Kappa chapter at Oklahoma State University initiated 29 new student members, former OSU President James Halligan and alumna Ashleigh (Hildebrand) Ross, during its sixth annual induction ceremony held recently in the student union ballroom. The chapter, known as Gamma of Oklahoma, was founded in 2013. 

Halligan served as OSU’s 16th president from 1994-2002 and emphasized student success, improved retention and graduation rates as well as scholar development. OSU was named a Truman Honor Institute during his tenure and he established a special hall to honor OSU scholars. Following his retirement, Halligan served two terms as a state senator. He received his bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in chemical engineering from Iowa State University. He was inducted as a non-alum special candidate.

Ross, who delivered an address, “Finding My Why,” at the induction ceremony, currently serves as portfolio lead overseeing carbon capture, utilization and storage for BP (British Petroleum). She also worked several years for ConocoPhillips. Ross graduated from OSU in 2005 with a chemical engineering degree and earned a Gates Scholarship to attend Cambridge where she received a master’s degree in environmental policy followed by double master’s degrees in chemical engineering and technology policy at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

OSU students, usually juniors or seniors who have a first or second major in a liberal arts discipline, qualify for membership in the nation’s oldest and most prestigious honor society upon election by the local Phi Beta Kappa chapter. The chapter’s selection committee first reviews each student’s achievements and academic grade point average (3.7 or higher) after at least 90 hours of liberal arts courses. The course review must demonstrate the student’s breadth as well as depth of study and include at least 15 hours of foreign language as well as proficiency in mathematics.

The new members of Phi Beta Kappa, are listed below with their major(s) and hometown:

Samuel Alvarado – Psychology – Commerce

Abigail Elizabeth Buller – French and Psychology – Owasso

Jaiden S Butler – Psychology – Del City

Dallas E. Clemishire – English – Skiatook

Addy Kate D. Curtin – English – Guthrie

Grant Thomas Eisenmenger – International Business and Economics – Tulsa

Brooklyn Paige Gissendaner – Biological Sciences – Tulsa

Trisha Elizabeth Goerlitz – History – Owasso

Ryan M. Hollands – Economics, Political Science and Spanish – Edmond

Madison Hutchins – English and French – Bedford, Texas

Tiffany Christine Kelly – Political Science – Stillwater

Tara Victoria Lauderdale – History – Tulsa

Antonio Joel Loper – Zoology – Tulsa

Caroline E. Lowery – English and Spanish – Decatur, Texas

Leana Paola Mason – English – Katy, Texas

Amanda Rose McEnroe – Spanish – Wylie, Texas

Jeffrey M. McNaughton – Political Science – Enid

Carson Michael Mulligan – Economics – Norman

Hannah E. Naff – Mathematics – Edmond

Skyler Wayne Osburn – English – Enid

Jensen N. Overton – Psychology – Minco

Christina Anne Schrantz – International Business and History – Oklahoma City

Riley P. Smith – Microbiology and Spanish – Stillwater

Katie Lynn Spencer – Geology – Omaha, Nebraska

Taylor R. Walton – Zoology, Lancaster, Texas

Clara Dawn Wenger – Physiology and Biochemistry – Big Cabin

Madison Lynn White – Psychology and Spanish – Edmond

Sarah F. Winburn – Biochemistry – Tahlequah

Samuel Richard Wood – Mathematics – Edmond

For more information on the Phi Beta Kappa chapter at OSU, email Dr. Perry Gethner at perry.gethner@okstate.edu.