Winthrop Scholars/Phi Beta Kappa Collection

Collection

Identifier: RG-04C-22

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This collection contains materials documenting the establishment and administrative operation of the Winthrop Scholars and Phi Beta Kappa programs at Connecticut College, including history, initiation procedures, induction ceremonies, constitution and by-laws, membership lists, membership committee instructions, reports, publications, visiting scholars, and photographs.

Dates

1928-2012

Creator

Phi Beta Kappa. Delta of Connecticut (Connecticut College) (Organization)

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open to researchers with the exception of the file titled "Honor Code Investigation".

Biographical / Historical

On May 7, 1928, in fulfillment of a long-standing desire to make more marked recognition of high scholarship at Connecticut College, the faculty voted to establish the Winthrop Scholar Program to recognize students who have attained high grades throughout their coursework. On June 9, 1928, the faculty voted to make this distinction retroactive for those who had received their degree from the college.

The designation of Winthrop Scholar is the highest academic honor bestowed by the College. Reserved for students who demonstrate exceptional scholarship, the honor is named for John Winthrop the Younger, who founded the city of New London and served as governor of Connecticut.

Winthrop Scholars are also the first members of their class selected for membership in Phi Beta Kappa, the national honor society of undergraduate higher education. Phi Beta Kappa was founded in 1776 and is the country’s oldest honorary society. The installation of Delta Chapter of Connecticut took place on February 13, 1935.

Extent

1.668 Linear Feet (4 boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

This collection contains the administrative files and historical documentation of the Winthrop Scholars Program and Phi Beta Kappa Chapter at Connecticut College from its inception in 1928 through 2012.

Arrangement

The collection is arranged in a single series. Prior to 1993 the files are organized by administrative file type including history, initiation procedures, induction ceremonies, constitution and by-laws, membership lists, membership committee instructions, reports, publications,visiting scholars, and photographs.

From 1993-2012 the administrative files are organized by academic year as they were kept by Professor of Govenment MaryAnne Borrelli, then acting Secretary/Treasurer of the Connecticut College chapter of Phi Beta Kappa. Currently Professor of Philosophy, Larry Vogel, is acting president of the chapter.

Acquisitions Information

Transferred by Connecticut College chapter of Phi Beta Kappa Secretary/Treasurer MaryAnne Borelli on November 19, 2008. Additional files transferred 2013.