5 History Majors Elected to Phi Beta Kappa Society

Five of the department’s best undergraduates — Chelsie Bonds, Hannah Hartsig, Patrick Michael Kirk, Tana Smith, and David Zeller — were recently elected to Phi Beta Kappa, the nation’s oldest and most prestigious academic honor society (founded in 1776).

Chelsie Bonds hails from Wichita, Kansas, and has primarily studied Europe in the Middle Ages. She is currently trying to decide between going to the Peace Corps and pursuing graduate work after KSU.

Hannah Hartsig is from Overland Park and also focused on European History. A double major in Art History and History, she said that her favorite aspect of the history department is “how passionate all the professors are about their subject and students.” Hannah also wrote us that she “loved the hands on research that the department offered” and her experience as a research assistant with the Chapman Center. Next fall, Hannah begins a master’s program at Syracuse University in Italian Renaissance Art History.

Patrick Michael Kirk resides in Scott City and prides himself on being a generalist — he has explored a wide range of historical topics with no definitive emphasis on any period. After graduation, Patrick will be commissioned a second lieutenant in the US Marine Corps.

Tana Smith, Paola, KS, minored in Spanish and enjoyed studying the early modern histories of Spain, France, Britain, and Central Europe. She especially praised her advisor, Professor Marsha Frey, for being “passionate, enthusiastic, and always willing to help me.” After graduation, Tana intends to pursue a PhD in history.

David Zimmer is from a farm near Olpe, south of Emporia. David also studied widely, with an emphasis on military history, and wrote us that he has been “passionate about history since before 5th grade.” The day before graduation in May, he will be commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant in the Infantry. David plans on making a career as an army officer or eventually becoming a history professor.

Phi Beta Kappa has over 500,000 members in 280 chapters at American colleges and universities and admits less than 10 percent of arts and science graduates at these leading institutions.

To learn more about the society, please visit https://www.pbk.org/home/index.aspx