The University of Kentucky chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, the nation's oldest honor society, was founded in 1926. The founding fathers included University President Frank McVey and eleven professors, among whom were Lynn McMullen, James Miner, Wendell Stevenson, Glanville Terrell and Charles Turck. The chapter was an outgrowth of the local honor society Epsilon Beta Phi.
An unusual action on the part of Phi Beta Kappa was the acceptance en masse of the members of the local honor society. Seventy-four persons were listed as foundational members. Among these illustrious persons were Ollie Depew, Margaret I. King, Thomas Hunt Morgan, John L. Patterson, W. Hugh Peal, Richard C. Stoll and William S. Webb. Later members would include Paul Boyd, William D. Funkhouser, Niel Plummer, L. L. Dantzler, alumni member Herman L. Donovan, and honorary member William H. Townsend.
From the description of Phi Beta Kappa records, 1927-1976. (University of Kentucky Libraries). WorldCat record id: 192134251
