Final answer:
Chris was intelligent, reflected by his high GPA and academic roles, and thoughtful, as shown by his rejection of honors, indicating a non-materialistic approach to life and success.
Step-by-step explanation:
The inference best supported by the first paragraph of the excerpt about Chris graduating from Emory University is that Chris was an intelligent and thoughtful young man. With a 3.72 GPA, Chris's academic performance and his role as a columnist and editor for the student newspaper demonstrate his intelligence. His refusal of Phi Beta Kappa membership, citing that titles and honors are irrelevant, showcases his thoughtfulness and a different perspective on success and recognition.