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On April 17, 2025, in the �������� Student Center, outstanding �������� seniors and two 

exceptional faculty members were honored during the Senior Honors Reception, and also, the Phi Beta Kappa (PBK) Induction Ceremony. The two events were a time to celebrate and acknowledge the dedication of students and staff members, while providing a warm send-off to graduating honors seniors.

The event began with the 47th annual �������� chapter Phi Beta Kappa Induction Ceremony, which was held on the third floor of the student center. This year, the �������� chapter of PBK welcomed 44 new members. Induction to PBK is a huge honor; fewer than 1% of all college students in the U.S. receive an invitation to this exclusive society. Members are selected based on their outstanding academic records.

Founded in 1776, PBK is a national honorary society that recognizes excellence in liberal education. Membership is recognized internationally as a hallmark of intellectual and academic achievement. Notable members of PBK include 17 U.S. presidents, 42 Supreme Court justices and over 150 Nobel laureates. PBK offers its members networking opportunities, career support and community engagement experiences.

Assistant Vice President of Research Administration, Division of Research and Economic Development Michael Kavulic, Ph.D., congratulated the inductees, saying that “just as �������� has helped shape [the inductees], they have absolutely changed ��������.”

Daniel K. Holm, �������� chapter PBK treasurer, provided a brief history of PBK before Honors College Dean and President Nu of Ohio Alison J. Smith, Ph.D., recited the charge to initiates. Each inductee was called upon to sign their names in the PBK rulebook and receive their certificate and cords.

Following their ceremony, the new PBK members were invited to celebrate their achievements with graduating honors seniors at the Senior Honors Reception in the �������� Ballroom. This year, �������� is proud to honor almost 390 graduating honors seniors, 20 of whom have completed a Senior Honors Thesis.

The 39th annual Senior Honors Reception is graduating Honors College students’ time to celebrate their hard work and achievement throughout their college career. The event brings together graduating seniors, their loved ones and Honors College faculty and staff.

Interim Associate Provost of Academic Affairs Scott Sheridan, Ph.D., provided opening remarks: “What stands out most is how you got here — finishing high school during one of the most uncertain times in memory.”

Sheridan said about the gathered seniors: “We’re so proud of you. Take a moment to enjoy your accomplishment and then keep striving. The world needs your curiosity, hard work and intelligence now more than ever.”

Dean Smith then took a moment to honor the Distinguished Honors Faculty Award and Distinguished Honors Alumni Award winners.

Thomas Brewer, Ph.D., M. Jur., was introduced as the 2025 Distinguished Honors Faculty Award winner. This 

year, �������� had the pleasure of recognizing one of its own faculty members as a notable Honors alum.

Dean Smith noted that “Honors students in Brewers’ classes tell us what a wonderful instructor he is, and he is always supportive of the Honors College and students. The Honors College advisory board and I are in agreement in thinking that we are very fortunate to have such an alumnus to celebrate, along with our graduating students.”

Brewer earned his undergraduate degree in criminal justice studies from �������� in 1996. He returned to the university in 2002, as an assistant professor in the Department of Justice Studies. He later became a founding faculty member of the College of Public Health, where he has taught and conducted research since 2009.

Next, Karl Uhrig, Ph.D., was announced as the winner of the 2025 Distinguished Honors Faculty Award. Each year, the Honors College asks students to nominate instructors who they believe have made a positive impact on the Honors College and its students. Uhrig received many passionate and admiring nominations from his students.

About Uhrig, one student wrote: “He is a dedicated and admired professor by his students and respected by his colleagues.”

Uhrig has a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature with a minor in German from Colorado College and a Master of Arts in Applied Linguistics and TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) from Indiana University in Bloomington. He earned a Doctor of Philosophy in Language Education, also at Indiana University. In 2024, Uhrig earned a Master of Arts in German Translation from ��������.  He started working at �������� in the English Department in 2006, taught at Valparaiso University from 2013 to 2018, and returned to �������� to teach Freshman Honors Colloquium in 2018.

To close the reception, Dean Smith shared that �������� Honors College students are “agents for positive change. And I’m excited about the journeys [they’re] about to embark on.”

After the speeches, seniors gathered for a group picture, received their medallions, mingled and enjoyed a celebratory slice of cake.

For more information about the Honors College, please visit the Honors College website.

PHOTO CAPTION 1 Honors College 2025 seniors gathered for a class photo after the Senior Honors Reception.

Media Contact: Stephanie Moskal, smoskal@kent.edu, 330-672-2312