Kyle Palmer is a morning news anchor for KBIA.

Journalism Student Selected for Early Membership to Phi Beta Kappa

Columbia, Mo. (April 5, 2004) -- Kyle Palmer, a broadcast news major from Independence, Mo., is one of ten University of Missouri juniors selected for early membership into the Alpha chapter of Phi Beta Kappa.

Phi Beta Kappa Society is the oldest and most prestigious academic honor society that recognizes academic excellence in arts and sciences. Specifically, Phi Beta Kappa requires candidates to demonstrate a depth and breadth of study.

"It's really difficult for a Journalism student to make Phi Beta Kappa, simply because most don't take enough hours in the liberal arts and sciences to qualify. A few of our students--often those with double majors--do," said Brian S. Brooks, Missouri School of Journalism associate dean of undergraduate studies. "This is a special honor, and we're extremely proud of Kyle."

Palmer, an honors student, is a morning news anchor at KBIA, an NPR member station, Monday through Friday. At 7:35 and 8:35 a.m., he delivers three-and-a-half minute news casts. Palmer also works as a reporter at KOMU-TV8, an NBC affiliate. KOMU is the only commercial broadcast station in the United States that is used as a working student laboratory.

"I am very surprised and honored, especially since journalism students are not normally asked to join Phi Beta Kappa," Palmer said.

Palmer qualified for Phi Beta Kappa because of the number of humanities and political science honors courses he has taken. He said that after receiving this recognition, he is considering a second degree in political science to complement his undergraduate degree in broadcast news journalism.

"Even if it takes a little longer than I expected to graduate," Palmer said. "I think that it is important to be knowledgeable in multiple disciplines."