UNC Hussman students inducted into Phi Beta Kappa

Phi Beta Kappa, the nation’s oldest and most honored college honorary society, has inducted four UNC Hussman School of Journalism and Media students as new members: Ally Dunavant ’21, Ramishah Maruf ’21, Casey Quam ’21 and Maeve Sheehey ’21.

Phi Beta Kappa membership is open to undergraduates in the College of Arts & Sciences and any of the seven professional degree programs offered by UNC that meet stringent eligibility requirements.

A student who has completed 75 hours of course work in the liberal arts and sciences with a GPA of 3.85 or better (on a 4-point scale) is eligible for membership. Also eligible is any student who has completed 105 hours of coursework in the liberal arts and sciences with a 3.75 GPA. Grades earned at other universities are not considered. Fewer than 1% of all college students qualify.

Phi Beta Kappa has 290 chapters nationwide. UNC’s chapter, Alpha of North Carolina, was founded in 1904 and is the oldest of seven chapters in the state.

The four UNC Hussman students all cited respect for education as a central tenant in their upbringing that led to academic success at UNC.

“I’ve always been a very driven student … I’m just a textbook nerd. I love learning new things,” said Dunavant, a native of Nashville, Tennessee, who studies advertising and public relations at UNC Hussman while double majoring in music. The common thread between the disciplines is the storytelling, she said.

Dunavant plans to pursue a master’s degree in vocal operatic performance after graduation.

Maruf’s immigrant parents moved from Pakistan to South Florida because of education. They wanted their children to attend American universities. 

“My parents were very happy about me being inducted. I came to UNC as a first-generation college student, and I managed to find my footing here,” Maruf said. Maruf will intern with The Washington Post this summer on the Opinions Desk.

Quam, from Winston-Salem, North Carolina, is on the journalism track at UNC Hussman and minors in entrepreneurship and history. “Academics were always very important in my family, but there was always an amount of internal motivation,” Quam said. “I’m very proud to have my work over the last four years recognized.”

Quam hopes to pursue corporate communications or entrepreneurship after graduation. She encourages students to get to know their Hussman professors, who are well-connected and can help land internships and jobs.

Sheehey will spend her summer with Politico as a breaking news intern after graduating from UNC Hussman with a focus on business journalism.

As for her love of education — she gets it honestly. She grew up with two math teacher parents in Baltimore.

“It was cool and validating to get inducted,” she said. “UNC Hussman really makes sure you’re prepared for all areas of journalism.”