April 7, 2008

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - Two North Carolina student-athletes - Barden Berry, a member of the men's golf team, and J.J. Raynor, a member of the women's fencing team - have been inducted into Phi Beta Kappa honorary society in recognition of their outstanding academic achievement. They join field hockey player Heather Kendell, who was inducted in the fall, as Tar Heel student-athletes tapped for the society in 2007-08.

Berry is a senior from Kinston, N.C., and is majoring in psychology. He is a member of the honors program and twice has been named to the All-Atlantic Coast Conference Academic Team for men's golf.

Raynor is a junior from Charlotte who is working toward a double major in economics and peace, war and defense. She competes in sabre for the Tar Heels and also will serve as UNC's student body president for 2008-09.

Both Berry and Raynor have been named to the ACC Academic Honor Roll and the Dean's List.

Kendell, who was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa in November and graduated with distinction in December, was a member of UNC's 2007 NCAA Championship squad.

Phi Beta Kappa membership is open to undergraduates in UNC's College of Arts and Sciences and professional degree programs who meet stringent eligibility requirements. A student who has completed 75 hours of course work and has a grade-point average of 3.85 (on a 4-point scale) or better is eligible for membership. Also eligible is any student who has competed 105 hours of course work and has a 3.75 grade-point average. Less than one percent of all college students qualify to be members.

Past and present Phi Beta Kappa members from across the country have included six American presidents, 12 U.S. Supreme Court justices and numerous artistic, intellectual and political leaders. There are 270 Phi Beta Kappa chapters nationwide. UNC's chapter, Alpha of North Carolina, was founded in 1904 and is the oldest of six chapters in the state.