Past Events
Since PBKACA's 1938 creation, the association has sponsored programs and events that contribute to the intellectual life of Chicago and provide opportunities for Phi Betes to meet and converse.
2009 Annual Dinner and Scholarship Benefit – Rick Bayless
On Oct. 29, 2009, PBKACA honored Chicago's most renowned chef-restaurateur Rick Bayless with our annual Distinguished Service Award. Rick's wife, Deann Bayless, accepted the award on his behalf and discussed some of her insights into Chicago's culinary world. The evening also was a celebration of PBKACA’s Chicago Public Schools Scholarship Program.
Recent past recipients include:
2009 Rick Bayless: Chicago's most renowned chef-restaurateur – PHOTO ALBUM!
2008 James Cuno: President and Eloise W. Martin Director of The Art Institute of Chicago – PHOTO ALBUM!
2007 Arne Duncan: Chicago Public Schools Chief Executive Officer – PHOTO ALBUM! Read an August 2009 Politico article on Arnie Duncan.
2006 Eileen Mackevich: co-founder and president of the Chicago Humanities Festival
2005 Leon Despres - Former Chicago Alderman
2004 Catherine Malfitano - Leading diva, Lyric Opera of Chicago
2003 Dr. Paul Knappenberger - CEO Adler Planetarium
2002 Barbara Gaines - Artistic Director & Founder, Chicago Shakespeare Theater
2001 Ed Paschke - Visual Artist
2000 Gwendolyn Brooks - Poet Laureate of Illinois
1999 Dr. Michael Roizen - Professor, University of Chicago Medical School
1998 Richard Franke - Chairman & Founder, Chicago Humanities Festival
1997 Clarence Page - Columnist, Chicago Tribune
1996 Sandy Boyd - CEO, Field Museum of Chicago
1995 Bill Kurtis - WBBM-TV Anchorman & Documentary Filmmaker
1994 Dr. Milt Rosenberg - Professor, University of Chicago & Radio Broadcaster
1993 Elmer Gertz - Civil Liberties Attorney & Defense Counsel
1992 Georgie Anne Geyer - Syndicated Newspaper Columnist & Author
1991 Dr. Leon Lederman - Professor, University of Chicago & Fermilab Director
1990 Gary Wills - Professor, Northwestern University & Author
2009 Annual Meeting – Burnham's 1909 Plan of Chicago
The 2009 Annual Meeting of the Phi Beta Kappa Association of the Chicago Area (PBAKACA) featured a special presentation by Susan Aaron of the Chaddick Institute for Metropolitan Development at DePaul University on the centennial of Daniel Burnham's 1909 Plan of Chicago.
See Annual Meeting event photos.
