Twenty students have been inducted into Coastal Carolina University's chapter of Phi Alpha Theta, a national honor society for history students. This represents the largest induction since Coastal's chapter was established in 1978, according to John Navin, assistant professor of history at Coastal and Phi Alpha Theta faculty adviser.

Phi Alpha Theta encourages historical research, excellence in teaching, scholarly publication and the exchange of learning among students of history. The national organization, one of the largest honor societies in the United States, offers numerous awards and scholarships to undergraduate and graduate student members.

To be eligible for membership, students must have taken at least 12 hours of history courses and must maintain a 3.0 grade point average. Each year approximately 40 regional meetings are convened at which students present research papers.

The following students were inducted into Coastal's chapter of Phi Alpha Theta:

- Christina A. Bellamy, a senior history major of Little River; - Mary G. Boyd, a junior English major of Conway; - Carla M. Clark, a senior undeclared major of Myrtle Beach; - Matthew J. Devenney, a senior history major of Myrtle Beach; - Erin L. Donovan, a senior political science major of Smithfield, R.I.; - Matthew E. Ensworth, a senior history major of Oak Forest, Ill.; - Rhett J. Graham, a senior history major of Myrtle Beach; - Emily C. Hill, a junior history major of Georgetown; - Allison J. Johnston, a senior history major of Myrtle Beach; - William R. Joseph, a junior sociology major of Myrtle Beach; - Joseph M. King, a senior history major of Myrtle Beach; - James I. Markey, a senior secondary education major of Surfside Beach; - William K. Miller, a junior history major of Loris; - Michael Oliva, a senior accounting major of Harrison, N.Y.; - Jason K. Owens, a senior secondary education major of Myrtle Beach; - Eric R. Sauthoff, a junior history major of Surfside Beach; - Michael K. Smith, a junior history major of Myrtle Beach; - Melody L. Stewart, a junior history major of Myrtle Beach; - Brad C. Wrenn, a senior history major of Myrtle Beach; and - Rebecca S. Wright, a senior English major of North Charleston.

The keynote speaker for the induction ceremony was David Hackett Fischer, who is Warren Professor of History at Brandeis University and a distinguished historian.