Melanie H. Mosher, of Batavia, was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa Society, the national academic honor society at a ceremony May 18 at Valparaiso University at Valparaiso, Ind.
Mosher was graduated summa cum laude from Valparaiso University in December 2011 with a bachelor of arts degree in History and German. She also excelled in the academically challenging curriculum of Christ College, Valparaiso University’s honors college, graduating with its top honors distinction.
Mosher is a 2007 graduate of Alexander High School where she was salutatorian of her class. She studied for two years at Hamburg and Reutlingen, Germany. Mosher is the daughter of Roger and Sherry Mosher, of Batavia.
According to the society, "Only about 1 percent of the arts and sciences graduates in the United States are elected to Phi Beta Kappa membership.” The society added, “The ideal Phi Beta Kappa has demonstrated intellectual integrity, tolerance for other views, and a broad range of academic interests.”
Since inception, 17 U.S. Presidents, 37 U.S. Supreme Court Justices, 1 NFL MVP, 1 Heisman Trophy winner, and 136 Nobel Laureates have been inducted members.
Its mission is to "celebrate and advocate excellence in the liberal arts and sciences" and induct "the most outstanding students of arts and sciences at America’s leading colleges and universities." Founded at The College of William and Mary on Dec. 5, 1776, as the first collegiate Greek-letter fraternity, it is also the oldest honor society for the liberal arts and sciences and among the oldest undergraduate societies in the United States.
