MOUNT VERNON – Seven student-athletes have been elected to Cornell College's chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, the nation's oldest and most prestigious academic honor society.
 
The new honorees representing Cornell athletics are seniors Sarah Carvo (volleyball), Justin Howe (men's soccer/lacrosse), John Linderman (men's lacrosse), Emily Lucie (women's cross country/track & field), Sam O'Brien (women's soccer), Marcus Quirk (men's basketball) and junior Billie Fogarty (women's cross country/track & field).
 
Phi Beta Kappa considers members of the top 15 percent of the senior class and the top five percent of the junior class. Election is based upon good character and a distinguished record of performance in courses that demonstrate a broad exposure to the liberal arts, as well as substantive work in areas outside the major.
 
In Phi Beta Kappa's 100th year on campus, Cornell had 17 seniors and three juniors earn the distinction. Their names will be added to the permanent plaque in Cole Library listing all members of Cornell's Delta of Iowa Chapter of Phi Beta Kappa.
 
Phi Beta Kappa was founded in 1776 at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Va. Members include 17 U.S. presidents, 41 Super Court justices and more than 140 Nobel laureates.