2008 Woodie Awards
W&L inducts 44 into Phi Beta Kappa
Briana Gapsis
Issue date: 3/21/07 Section: News
- Page 1 of 2 next >
What do Nathaniel Hawthorne, Teddy Roosevelt, Condoleezza Rice, and Ashley Judd have in common? Here's a hint - as of March 15, they share it with 44 more students from Washington and Lee. Figured it out? They're all members of the academic honor society Phi Beta Kappa.
"I think the society stands for academic achievement and dedication to lifelong intellectual pursuits," said senior inductee and former president of Pi Beta Phi Sorority Nadia Prinz, accurately capturing the mission of Phi Beta Kappa to foster and recognize excellence in the undergraduate liberal arts and sciences.
The society's name stands for the Greek 'philosophia biou kubnetes,' which means 'love of wisdom, the guide of life.' Phi Beta Kappa was one of the first Greek letter organizations in the United States. Noting the strong Greek presence in the society, Prinz declared that she was "proud to have been inducted with so many of my [sorority] sisters at my side."
The Phi Beta Kappa Society was founded by five students from William and Mary at the Raleigh Tavern in Williamsburg, Virginia on December 5, 1776. The Society was an outgrowth from a student-based movement to discuss such issues related to the American movement for independence as the concepts of liberty, national rights, and contemporary politics in a forum that was independent of the constraints imposed by their college. In order to protect the members of Phi Beta Kappa in the politically charged clime of the day, members were originally sworn to secrecy, possessed identifying badges, and shared a secret handshake.
W&L's chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, established in 1911, was among the first 100 in the nation. Now, there are 283 chapters across the country with over half a million living members. Each college chapter determines the specific criteria for membership, though even the least selective chapters elect fewer than the top five percent of the students at their respective colleges.
Coupled with the rich historical legacy of Phi Beta Kappa, the society's selectivity makes it one of the most prestigious academic honor societies available to undergraduate students.
"I think the society stands for academic achievement and dedication to lifelong intellectual pursuits," said senior inductee and former president of Pi Beta Phi Sorority Nadia Prinz, accurately capturing the mission of Phi Beta Kappa to foster and recognize excellence in the undergraduate liberal arts and sciences.
The society's name stands for the Greek 'philosophia biou kubnetes,' which means 'love of wisdom, the guide of life.' Phi Beta Kappa was one of the first Greek letter organizations in the United States. Noting the strong Greek presence in the society, Prinz declared that she was "proud to have been inducted with so many of my [sorority] sisters at my side."
The Phi Beta Kappa Society was founded by five students from William and Mary at the Raleigh Tavern in Williamsburg, Virginia on December 5, 1776. The Society was an outgrowth from a student-based movement to discuss such issues related to the American movement for independence as the concepts of liberty, national rights, and contemporary politics in a forum that was independent of the constraints imposed by their college. In order to protect the members of Phi Beta Kappa in the politically charged clime of the day, members were originally sworn to secrecy, possessed identifying badges, and shared a secret handshake.
W&L's chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, established in 1911, was among the first 100 in the nation. Now, there are 283 chapters across the country with over half a million living members. Each college chapter determines the specific criteria for membership, though even the least selective chapters elect fewer than the top five percent of the students at their respective colleges.
Coupled with the rich historical legacy of Phi Beta Kappa, the society's selectivity makes it one of the most prestigious academic honor societies available to undergraduate students.
Be the first to comment on this story