13 seniors named Winthrop Scholars

Continuing a tradition that dates back to 1928, 13 Connecticut College seniors have been honored as Winthrop Scholars for academic excellence in the classroom.

Winthrop Scholars are the first members of their class selected for membership in Phi Beta Kappa, the national honor society of undergraduate higher education. The designation is based on grade point average—Winthrop Scholars represent the top 3% of their class based on their GPAs.

At an April 4 induction ceremony, Lawrence Vogel, professor of philosophy and president of Phi Beta Kappa, Delta of Connecticut Chapter, said he was proud to welcome the 13 newest members of the oldest honor society in the United States. 

“Each of these students represents a shining success story in the College’s mission of promoting academic excellence,” Vogel said.

During her remarks, Dean of the College Erika J. Smith congratulated the students on their ability to “make sense of how you thrive best” at Connecticut College. 

“You’ve learned something very deep about yourself, your environment and your relationship with it,” Smith said. “We all look forward to seeing the many ways that you will learn to thrive and succeed in the future as you have here.”

Joseph Alchermes, associate professor of art history and vice president of Phi Beta Kappa, Delta of Connecticut Chapter, delivered the keynote address, “An Art Historian’s Odyssey.” He told the students about his own winding academic journey from 14-year-old high school student required to take Latin to art historian who conducts specialized investigations of Roman, Eastern and Western medieval, and Islamic art and architecture.

“I had the opportunity to do a great many things and I kept my eyes open at every point,” he told the Winthrop Scholars.

“My odyssey continues, but this talk is ending, so it’s time for some parting words of advice: Recognize opportunities, welcome variety and change, and embark on your own odysseys—just be sure you have philosophia at the helm.”