Lukes, Pardee School Students Inducted Into Phi Beta Kappa
Professor Igor Lukes along with several students from the Frederick S. Pardee School of Global Studies were welcomed into the Phi Beta Kappa, Epsilon of Massachusetts at Boston University honor society at a ceremony held on May 19, 2017 at the Tsai Performance Center.
Pardee School Professor of International Relations and History and President of Epsilon Massachusetts Erik Goldstein presided over the ceremony, and welcomed the initiates to the honor society including Pooja V. Patel (International Relations and Economics) and Mark Vicik (International Relations and Middle East and North Africa Studies). Phi Beta Kappa members initiated in December 2016, including Devon Siobhan Flanagan (International Relations and Economics) and Evangelia Afroditi Koronios (International Relations and Middle East and North Africa Studies) were also present at the ceremony.
Goldstein highlighted the notable Phi Beta Kappa members that the initiates would be joining, including 39 United States Supreme Court justices, 17 United States presidents and 136 Nobel laureates.
“Our initiates today are part of the continuous recognition of academic excellence and scholarship at this University, in which this Society has played its part for over a century now,” Goldstein said.
Goldstein also introduced Lukes, who was welcomed into the honor society as an honorary member.
“Igor Lukes has, through his efforts, sought to connect lands and ideas, to enhance our understanding of how world’s connect – the scholarly work which lies very much at the heart of the study of international relations,” Goldstein said. “In all aspects of his career he has been a builder and maintainer of bridges.”
Lukes delivered an address to the Phi Beta Kappa members and initiates on “History and Politics in the Post-Factual Age,” and also took a moment to acknowledge the student initiates.
“We’re gathered here not to talk about me, but to celebrate our students academic excellence, their hard work, talents and intellectual integrity. To all of you, please accept my warmest congratulations. The same obviously goes to your parents and academic mentors,” Lukes said. “Finally, let me express my personal gratitude to the officers of the Epsilon Chapter of Phi Beta Kappa for selecting me as an honorary initiate. It means very much to me, I’m most grateful, and will always treasure this honor.”
Pardee School Dean Adil Najam and Houchang Chehabi, Professor of International Relations and History at the Pardee School and Phi Beta Kappa member, also attended the ceremony.