Twelve Wesleyan University student from seven states, Singapore and Hong Kong were recently elected to the Gamma chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, the nation's oldest academic honor society. Election to the society is based on grades and fulfillment of eligibility requirements, including an A average and nomination by the student's major department. The students:

Martha Elizabeth Butkus, a Molecular Biology & Biochemistry major from Bethlehem, CT, Martha was also awarded a Howard Hughes fellowship to help her investigate the mechanisms and regulation of protein secretion in E. Coli. She plans on conducting cell biology research at the University of Vienna, and continue on with Ph.D. studies and a career in pharmacology, toxicology, or public health.

Jamie Diane Fudacz, a double major in Latin American Studies and Spanish from Los Angeles, CA, also volunteers as a writing tutor, a tutor at Cross Street, and has been a four-year member of Wesleyan's equestrian team. She is currently working on her senior thesis, which is on the grotesque in Latin American Dirty Realism.

Amy Nicole Greenwood, a double major in Computer Science and Psychology from Scarsdale, NY, has also been a student of American Sign language while at Wesleyan, and a member of the all-female a cappella group Onomatopoeia. She hopes to combine her artistic interests in dance, theater, and music with her technical skills in computers, logic, and math.

Wei Hsin Gui, a double major in East Asian Studies and English, and a Freeman Scholar is from Singapore. For two years he served as the editor of Resonance, the Journal of East Asian Studies at Wesleyan; he has also presented papers at international conferences on postcolonial and overseas Chinese. He intends to pursue research at the graduate level in Diaspora and literary studies.

Elizabeth Anne Hoffecker, a College of Social Studies major from Meadow Vista, CA, and an accomplished cellist who has performed with the Wesleyan Orchestra, Elizabeth is also founder of the Wesleyan fencing club. She spent last summer researching the history and present situation of undocumented Mexican workers in Portland, Oregon. She plans to pursue a masters degree in Public Policy with an emphasis on U.S.-Mexico relations and immigration/border policy.

Tiffany Marie Meyers, a Chemistry major who makes her home in Anaheim, CA, is also a member of the Wesleyan Equestrian Team. She plans to pursue a doctorate in Linguistics.

Tin Man Tammy Pau is a double major in Economics and Psychology, and a Freeman Scholar from Hong Kong. She is co-founder and president of the Wesleyan chapter of Omicron Delta Epsilon, the national Economics honor society, and a member of Psi Chi, the national Psychology honor society. She plans on gaining economics-related work experience before going on to an economics Ph.D. and hopes to eventually work on economic policy in Hong Kong.

Daniel Benjamin Sloan, a double major in Biology and Economics from Kennebunk, ME, is also the recipient of a Howard Hughes Research Program fellowship. His community service includes working with the Vernal Pool Identification for the Middlesex County Soil and Water Conservation District and a variety of other volunteer effort. His future interests include an exploration of research opportunities in ecology and evolution.

Grace Ewing Sumner, a double major in Psychology and Theater from Northboro, MA, has been involved in student theatre and is a member of Quasimodal, an a capella group. She hopes to have a career in professional theatre or singing.

Rebecca Chiatt Sutter is a double major in English and Psychology from McLean, VA. While at Wesleyan, she has been a writing workshop tutor and is currently a TA for the English course "American Literature from the Colonial Period to the Civil War." During her summers, she has worked as a math teacher at MathTrees Math Camp, and has been an intern with Literacy Council of Northern Virginia. She is considering graduate studies in public health.

Mark Allen Umbarger, a Chemistry major from Franklin, MA, is also a member of the cross-country and track teams. While a student he has not only been outstanding in chemistry research, he won the won the Plukas Teaching Prize and the White Prize in economics. He plans to pursue a Ph.D. in Bioinformatics.

Heather Marie Wieler, a Science in Society major from South Strafford, VT, has worked with a variety of student committee on campus environmental and is active in the Wesleyan Organic Garden and other community gardens around Middletown. She is interested in gardens as community spaces and in their material and symbolic contributions to the local food movement. She has also been involved with the dance program and the Wesleyan Center for the Arts.

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