Phi Beta Kappa Society, Gamma Chapter of Alabama
Phi Beta Kappa is the nation's oldest, most prestigious, and most selective academic honor society. The mission of the Society of Phi Beta Kappa is to foster and recognize excellence in the liberal arts and sciences. Founded in 1776, its members have included seventeen U.S. Presidents, thirty-eight U.S. Supreme Court Justices, and one hundred and thirty-six Nobel laureates. As the society's national website attests: "Famous or not, all of our members have one thing in common – the pursuit of excellence." The Society sponsors activities to advance these studies – the humanities, the social sciences, and the natural sciences – in higher education and in society at large.
Only about one in ten colleges and universities that display a strong commitment to the arts and sciences are found to be of such exceptional quality that they are allowed charters for local PBK chapters. Only a very small number of students at these select institutions qualify for election each year by demonstrating truly outstanding achievement in the pursuit of a rigorous education in the traditional arts and sciences.
The Gamma Chapter of Alabama was installed at Auburn in 2001 as the culmination of three decades of effort by Auburn faculty, administrators, and alumni. Chapter members include AU faculty and outstanding graduating students. Each spring the chapter initiates a select number of graduating seniors with outstanding GPAs (3.75 or better) who have compiled an academic track record of excellence in the liberal arts and sciences and fulfilled other requirements to be selected as members in course. Typically chapter members also elect one truly outstanding junior, and on occasion induct an honorary member.
The 2010 initiation ceremony took place on Tuesday, March 29, when 60 new undergraduate initiates were inducted into Phi Beta Kappa as members in course along with one honorary initiate, Professor and Honors College Director James Hansen.
We hope to reach out to more faculty and alumni through the website, as well as communicating to Auburn students the criteria for selection by the local chapter. If you have any questions about Phi Beta Kappa Society's Gamma Chapter at Auburn, please contact chapter secretary Professor Matt Malczycki or chapter president Professor Michel Smith.