About Phi Beta Kappa
The mission of the Phi Beta Kappa Society is to champion education in the liberal arts and sciences, foster freedom of thought, and recognize academic excellence.
Phi Beta Kappa is the nation鈥檚 most prestigious honor society in the liberal arts, known for recognizing academic excellence on 290 select campuses across the nation. The Society has 50 alumni associations and more than 500,000 members, who come from diverse backgrounds and experiences. Noteworthy members include 17 U.S. Presidents, 41 U.S. Supreme Court Justices, and more than 140 Nobel Laureates.
The Society offers numerous programs and awards, in addition to many member benefits. On campuses and in communities, the work of the Society now attests to the lifelong value of an education that fosters scientific inquiry, liberty of conscience, critical thinking, and creative endeavor for all.
Phi Beta Kappa History
The roots of the Phi Beta Kappa Society are as old as our nation鈥檚, having been founded on December 5, 1776, at the College of William and Mary by five students to advance their chosen motto, 鈥淟ove of Learning is the Guide to Life.鈥� John Heath, the organization鈥檚 first president, aspired to create a serious-minded student society that would offer more than just convivial social opportunities. A new nation would require institutions鈥攃ultural as well as political鈥攁s a grounding force and elevating influence in turbulent times.
What began as a secret debating society in the midst of war became something very different over the course of the next two centuries. Phi Beta Kappa grew along with American higher education into an organization grounded in liberal鈥攁s in the Latin word for 鈥渇ree鈥濃�攁rts and sciences learning and freedom of inquiry.
Symbols of Significance
Phi Beta Kappa鈥檚 name originated from the motto 鈥淟ove of learning is the guide of life,鈥� a phrase the founders derived from the Greek 桅喂位慰蟽慰蠁委伪 螔委慰蠀 螝蠀尾蔚蟻谓萎蟿畏蟼 (Philosophia Biou Kybern膿t膿s in Latin letters).
The Phi Beta Kappa logo takes the form of a traditional watch key, on which the three Greek letters 桅螔螝 are inscribed. Today, the signature 桅螔螝 gold watch key is a nationally recognized credential signifying academic achievement. As such, members of 桅螔螝 can be referred to as keyholders.
Beyond the Greek letters 桅螔螝, three symbols engraved on the watch key are further markers of Phi Beta Kappa:
鈥� Three stars represent the three distinguished principles of the Society: friendship, morality, and learning
鈥� A pointing finger acknowledges the core value of ambition
鈥� On the reverse, the initials of the new member, the year of their induction, and the letters SP, which stand for Societas Philosophiae or Philosophical Society
Theta Chapter of Florida
Learn more about HL黑料门不打烊鈥� Theta Chapter, including information about its members, annual activites, and membership.
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