In early June, the Phi Beta Kappa Society, the nation’s most prestigious academic honor society, selected history major Jaeger Held ’22 as one of its 2021 Key into Public Service Scholars. Held is also pursuing minors in civil war era studies, public history, and peace and justice studies.
Chosen from more than 800 applicants attending chapter institutions across the nation, Held and 19 other scholars will receive a $5,000 undergraduate scholarship and participate in a virtual conference from June 24–25, which will provide them with training, mentoring, and reflection on pathways into active citizenship in the tradition of Phi Beta Kappa’s founders.
“I think Jaeger was a good candidate for the scholarship because he’s already demonstrated—in his work to commemorate Civil War veterans in his native Montana and by representing Montana at last year’s Democratic National Convention—that a liberal arts education naturally prepares students to serve the greater good, which is really what the national organization wanted to recognize and foster,” said English Prof. Joanne Myers, who is also president of Phi Beta Kappa’s Iota of Pennsylvania chapter at Gettysburg College. “He models how to integrate scholarship and action, nuanced understanding and engagement, which I see as central to the College’s commitment to preparing students to be engaged citizens through a wide-ranging liberal arts education.”
Through this prestigious scholarship opportunity, Held hopes to build valuable connections and gain experience navigating career pathways in public service.
“I am very thankful to have been selected as a Key into Public Service Scholar,” Held said. “I hope this honor makes the friends and family who have helped me feel their efforts were worthwhile. I especially want to thank Profs. Christopher Kauffman and Carol Reardon, who authored my letters of recommendation.”
Read more about Held, including why he chose Gettysburg College and his experience serving as Montana’s youngest delegate for the 2020 Democratic National Convention.
By Molly Foster
Photo by Miranda Harple and courtesy of Jaeger Held ’22
Posted: 06/16/21
