WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass., Nov. 2, 2005 – Williams College has announced the election of 26 members of the Williams class of 2006 to Phi Beta Kappa, the national honor society.

This society has existed since the 18th century as a nationwide organization honoring students of the highest academic achievement at the college level.

Election to Phi Beta Kappa is granted to the top five percent of the Williams class of 2006 at the end of their junior year. At the end of the senior year, students in the top 12.5 percent of the class, excluding those already elected, are eligible for election.

The students elected at the end of their junior year (listed in name, major(s), hometown format) are:

Nicholas S. Anderson, art, Williston, Vt.

Alexander S. Bal, mathematics and economics, Mequon, Wis.

Ian J. Barbash, biology, Bethesda, Md.

Daniel E. Burns, political science, Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

Oliver T. Burton, biology, Hood River, Ore.

Marcus M. Duyzend, computer science, Shoreline, Wash.

Laura Effinger-Dean, physics and computer science, Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

Roman Herman, political science and economics, Havirov, Czech Republic

Jennifer S. Hermanski, art, Pittsfield, Mass.

Christine B. Hunt, biology, Wellesley, Mass.

Kathryn J. Lewkowicz, psychology, Manlius, N.Y.

Jessica L. Lovaas, political science, Falmouth, Maine

Jessica A. Marinaccio, Chinese and history, Ridgewood, N.J.

Richard A. Marshall, economics, Tallahassee, Fla.

Abigail D. McBride, biology, Taunton, Mass.

Ruxandra Paul, political science and French, Bucharest, Romania

Daniel P. Rooney, philosophy, South Bend, Ind.

Carol E. Rosenberg, mathematics, Longmeadow, Mass.

Jesse N. Schenendorf, biology, Pt. Washington, N.Y.

Vojislav S. Sesum, economics and mathematics, Serbia, Yugoslavia

Rosemary F. Smith, philosophy and economics, New York, N.Y.

Hang Song, economics and chemistry, Nanjing, China

Gillian L. Sowden, biology, Aberdeenshire, UK

Ashleigh B. Theberge, chemistry, Orrs Island, Maine

Owen W. Westbrook, astrophysics, Simsbury, Conn.

Ya Xu, economics and mathematics, Sitchuan, China

Williams College was also recently recognized for its excellence among the country's Phi Beta Kappa chapters, of which there are 270 nationwide. The college won the award, which included $1000 and a certificate, in the liberal arts category.

John Churchill, chief executive officer of Phi Beta Kappa, praised Williams for its accomplishments. "Its members have set and excellent example of how to make a constructive impact on a compus community," he said. "It is exciting to see the values of Phi Beta Kappa given such a tangible and valuable expression."

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Williams College is consistently ranked one of the nation's top liberal arts colleges. The college’s 2,000 students are taught by a faculty noted for the quality of their undergraduate teaching. The achievement of academic goals includes active participation of students with faculty in research. Admission decisions are made regardless of a student’s financial ability, and the college provides grants and other assistance to meet the demonstrated needs of all who are admitted. Founded in 1793, it is the second oldest institution of higher learning in Massachusetts. The college is located in Williamstown, Mass. To visit the college on the Internet: www.williams.edu

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