Phi beta kappa

Collegiate scholastic honor society founded in 1776 at the College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, Va.

From the description of Phi Beta Kappa records, 1776-2006 (bulk 1900-2000). (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 70983375

The national Phi Beta Kappa Society, America's oldest and most prestigious honor society, was founded in 1776 at the College of William and Mary in Virginia. Membership in the national society is a significant achievement, which honors excellence in the arts and sciences. Election to Phi Beta Kappa is based on outstanding academic performance reflecting a love of learning for its own sake as opposed to narrow technical specialization or vocational preparation. To demonstrate the breadth of their intellectual curiosity, most students will have taken more than the required number of courses and studied in traditional academic fields outside their major.

As of 2003, there are over 250 Phi Beta Kappa chapters at colleges and universities across the country and 50 alumni associations in the United States and an estimated 500,000 living members. The Beta Chapter of Phi Beta Kappa at Rice was established in 1929.

From the guide to the Phi Beta Kappa, Beta Chapter (Rice University) records Rice UA 108., 1921-2006, (Rice University Archives, Woodson Research Center, Fondren Library, Rice University, Houston, TX)

Organizational History

• 1776: Founded, College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, Va.
• 1831: Eliminated secrecy in rituals and membership
• 1877: Established first graduate association, Phi Beta Kappa Alumni in New York
• 1883: Established United Chapters of Phi Beta Kappa
• 1926: Established general headquarters and permanent staff, New York, N.Y.
• 1940: Established Phi Beta Kappa Associates
• 1950: Established Christian Gauss Award
• 1955: Moved headquarters to Washington, D.C.
• 1958: Established Phi Beta Kappa Award in Science
• 1960: Established Ralph Waldo Emerson Award

From the guide to the Phi Beta Kappa Records, 1776-1999, (bulk 1900-1990), (Manuscript Division Library of Congress)

Phi Beta Kappa is a national scholastic honorary fraternity that elects their members on the basis of scholastic achievement and good moral character. The Phi Beta Kappa chapter at NYU was founded in 1858 and is the 15th oldest in the country as well as the second oldest in New York State. The society at NYU held many conferences and discussions and published their own news magazine, The Key Reporter .

Sources:

From the guide to the Records of Phi Beta Kappa, Beta Chapter (New York University), 1856-1977, (New York University Archives)