Phi Beta Kappa Association of Chicago to Honor James Cuno, President and Director, the Art Institute of Chicago at Annual Dinner and Scholarship Benefit

--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Phi Beta Kappa Association of Chicago:

WHAT:

The Phi Beta Kappa Association of the Chicago area will honor James Cuno, President and Eloise W. Martin Director of the Art Institute of Chicago, at the Annual Dinner and Scholarship Benefit on Friday, November 14^th. Dr. Cuno will receive the organization’s Distinguished Service Award for his noteworthy work at the Institute, including the completion of the new Modern Wing, progress in mass renovation of the museum, and success of a rebranding project for the organization. The event will also mark the 70^th anniversary of the PBKACA, which was chartered by the national Phi Beta Kappa Association in 1938.

Past recipients of the Distinguished Service Award include Arne Duncan, CEO of Chicago Public Schools, Eileen Mackevich, co-founder and former president of the Chicago Humanities Festival, Sandy Boyd, retired CEO of the Field Museum, and Barbara Gaines, founder and artistic director of the Chicago Shakespeare Theatre.

Phi Beta Kappa is an academic honor society striving for "achievement through learning." In Chicago, the association is active in fostering the life of the mind with outreach to area high school students and to adult learners. Celebrities such as Bill Clinton, Condoleezza Rice and Chicago's own Dawn Clark Netsch, Terry Savage, Justice John Paul Stevens and Abner Mikva are among key holders nationally. All members earn their prestigious Phi Beta Kappa keys in college or at a university.

The annual dinner and scholarship benefit serves as the cornerstone of their Chicago Public Schools Scholarship Initiative. This need-based scholarship is awarded based on a record of academic achievements, leadership abilities, and community-oriented extra curricular activities. This year, the Scholarship Committee and the Executive Board have chosen Kenneth H. Oshita, 18, of Lincoln Park High School to be the recipient of the prestigious award and the $5,000 scholarship. Oshita completed the International Baccalaureate program during high school and is a freshman at the University of Chicago, where he will major in physics.

WEBSITE:

http://www.pbkaca.org

INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITIES:

• Phi Beta Kappa President, Judi Strauss-Lipkin (312.409-1937; jstrausslipkin@gmail.com)
• Dr. James Cuno, Distinguished Service Award winner

WHEN:

Friday, November 14, 2008

WHERE:

The Casino, 195 E. Delaware Place, Chicago

CONTACT:

Ann Glynn, Edelman 312-240-2650 or ann.glynn@edelman.com