William Coleman Bitting
elected to
Phi Beta Kappa

I wondered why in his 1925 Reminiscences, W.C. Bitting did not mention his PBK key. And the answer is ...he had not yet been elected!

On April 12, 1929, nearly fifty-two years after his graduation from Richmond College, and at the age of 72, the newly formed Phi Beta Kappa chapter at the University of Richmond, Epsilon of Virginia, elected W. C. Bitting to membership.

From: Shadi Afshar
To: "'William C. Bitting'"
Subject: RE: Richmond College circa 1880
Date: Wed, 20 May 1998 11:21:44 -0400

Dear Mr. Bitting:

We would be happy to research your grandfather for you...however if the chapter initiation date is later than your grandfather's graduation date perhaps it was another honor's association?

Please forward your grandfather's full name and I will search our database and files.

All the best,
Shadi Afshar
The Phi Beta Kappa Society
1811 Q Street, NW
Washington, DC 20009-1696

From: "William C. Bitting"
To: "Shadi Afshar"
Cc: "Cole Bitting"
Subject: Re: Richmond College circa 1880
Date: Wed, 20 May 1998 13:33:38 -0500

Dear Mr. Afshar,

Thanks so much for your reply - and so quickly! I guess with PBK's it is especially the case that the difficult is accomplished right away while the impossible takes just a bit longer!

I suspect we are well into the area of the impossible on this project. Below I've provided information on grandfather, William Coleman Bitting.

Two bits of information suggest grandfather was awarded a PBK key:

• 1.) We have the key in our possession. It has been a family treasure for as long as I can remember. For the past 28 years my older brother Kenneth H. Bitting, Jr., has been the custodian. Our father, KHB Sr., often commented on it, and upon occasion it was retrieved from the safebox for inspection by us (then!) kids.
• 2.) A notation in "Bitting Family History" written by my father in 1967, shows my father's belief was that his father had been awarded "its [PBK chapter at the University of Richmond] first PBK gold key."

Below my signature I've pasted in more detail.

[big cut here]

Thanks again for your reply and good hunting!

Sincerely,
William C. Bitting, II

From: Shadi Afshar
To: "'William C. Bitting'"
Subject: RE: Richmond College circa 1880
Date: Fri, 22 May 1998 09:53:07 -0400

Dear Mr. Bitting:

I am glad to be the bearer of good news...your grandfather was indeed elected to Phi Beta Kappa on April 12, 1929. He was an Alumni member, which explains the fact that he graduated from Richmond University in 1877 and received his key when the chapter was formed.

Please feel free to contact me if I may be of further assistance. Also, thank you for your kind words regarding PBK:-)

All the best,
Shadi Afshar
The Phi Beta Kappa Society
1811 Q Street, NW
Washington, DC 20009-1696
Tel (202) 265-3808
Fax (202) 265-4680

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wbitting@yahoo.com.    posted 5/22/98, last revised 10/20/00.