Luther College students inducted into Phi Beta Kappa

Luther College announces the induction of 36 seniors into the Luther chapter of the Phi Beta Kappa national academic honor society. Phi Beta Kappa is the oldest and most respected undergraduate honors organization in the United States. The society has fostered and recognized excellence in the liberal arts and sciences since 1776, and the society’s distinctive emblem, a golden key, is widely recognized as a symbol of academic achievement.

2019 inductees include:

Karl Badger of Duluth, Minnesota

Kaitlyn Buls of Saint Cloud, Minnesota

Creger Jae of Prior Lake, Minnesota

Jacob Domogalla of Askov, Minnesota

Mason Donnohue of Eagan, Minnesota

Ananda Easley of Dubuque, Iowa

Kelli Emerson of Huxley, Iowa

Maya Evans of Ankeny, Iowa

Anneleise Frie of Fountain City, Wisconsin

Emily Fuller of Bettendorf, Iowa

Jonah Gehrt of Byron, Minnesota

Kyle Gilberg of Mendota Heights, Minnesota

Deanna Grelecki of Oakwood Hills, Illinois

Elyse Grothaus of Oconomowoc, Wisconsin

Benjamin Haerther of Atkins, Iowa

Genevieve Heimer-Lang of Iowa City, Iowa

Zane Kittleson of Westfield, Wisconsin

Lauren Knuckey of Galena, Illinois

Payton Knutson of Owatonna, Minnesota

Matthew Lagus of Lake Elmo, Minnesota

Quang Anh Lee of Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam

Zachariah Martin of Boone, Iowa

Katrina Meyer of Mount Prospect, Illinois

James Miller of New Richmond, Wisconsin

Rebecca Mullenbach of Osage, Iowa

Claire Palmquist of Cloquet, Minnesota

Allison Peters of Mankato, Minnesota

Annika Rotto of Ames, Iowa

Lauren Sather of Spencer, Iowa

Gavin Schaeferle of Chanhassen, Minnesota

Cristina Schuetz of Eden Prairie, Minnesota

Jacob Schulz of Minnetonka, Minnesota

Mareda Smith of North Liberty, Iowa

Haley Steffen of North Liberty, Iowa

Sarah Webb of Shoreview, Minnesota

Marta Williams of Woodberry, Minnesota

Luther College is one of a select group of private liberal arts colleges in the United States with a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa. Each year, Luther honors outstanding seniors with selection to Phi Beta Kappa at a ceremony held in the Center for Faith and Life on the Luther campus. Members are elected on the basis of broad cultural interests, scholarly achievement and good character.

Spruiell White, Luther class of 1967, gave the address at this year’s induction ceremony. The title of his address was “Bait and Switch: The Unexpected Career Journey of an English Major.”

White’s visit helped to mark the 50th anniversary of the Black Student Union at Luther College. White retired in 2011 from the MacArthur Foundation as a senior program officer in the U.S. Program after fifteen years of service. Prior to his foundation appointment, he served in a number of executive leadership positions at the Chicago Jobs Council, the Illinois Area United Negro College Fund and Urban League affiliates in San Francisco and Seattle. White said that what seemed to be instances of “bait and switch” ended up creating important opportunities in his career and personal life.

Luther College is home to more than 2,000 undergraduates who explore big questions and take action to benefit people, communities and society. Our 60+ academic programs, experiential approach to learning and welcoming community inspire students to learn actively, live purposefully and lead courageously for a lifetime of impact. Learn more at luther.edu.