Phi Beta Kappa
The Phi Beta Kappa Society (ΦΒΚ) is the oldest academic honor society in the United States, and among the most prestigious, due in part to its long history and academic selectivity. Phi Beta Kappa aims to promote and advocate excellence in the liberal arts and sciences, and to induct the most outstanding students of arts and sciences at only select American colleges and universities. It was founded at the College of William and Mary on December 5, 1776, as the first collegiate Greek-letter fraternity and was among the earliest collegiate fraternal societies. Since its inception, 17 U.S. presidents, 40 U.S. Supreme Court justices, and 136 Nobel laureates have been inducted as members.
Phi Beta Kappa | |
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ΦΒΚ | |
Founded | December 5, 1776 The College of William and Mary |
Type | Honor society |
Affiliation | ACHS (former) |
Emphasis | Liberal arts and sciences |
Mission statement | To celebrate and advocate excellence in the liberal arts. |
Motto | Φιλοσοφία Βίου Κυβερνήτης Love of learning is the guide of life |
Colors | Pink Sky blue |
Publication | The American Scholar |
Chapters | 293 |
Members | 500,000+ collegiate |
Headquarters | 1606 New Hampshire Avenue NW Washington, D.C. 20009 United States 38°54′41.3″N 77°02′31.6″W |
Website | pbk.org |
Phi Beta Kappa (ΦΒΚ) stands for Φιλοσοφία Βίου Κυβερνήτης (Philosophia Biou Kybernētēs), which means "Wisdom [lit. love of knowledge] is the guide [lit. helmsman] of life".