History of Phi Beta Kappa

Phi Beta Kappa is the oldest and most widely recognized academic honorary society in the United States. The first meeting of like-minded serious students was held on December 5, 1776 by students from the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia. They developed a student society devoted to liberal arts education, adopting the motto “Love of learning is the guide of life.” The initials of this motto in Greek form the name Phi Beta Kappa.

Today there are 286 chapters across America, including the local chapter at UC Santa Cruz, chartered in 1986. Because The Phi Beta Kappa Society carefully screens campuses before awarding a charter, the existence of a local chapter is an indicator of intellectual breadth and excellence on our campus.

The Phi Beta Kappa Society sponsors awards for authors and scholars, scholarships for student achievement and research, and cultural activities for members across the country. These activities help make PBK more than just an honor society, but also a rich intellectual experience.

More information about the history of the society is at https://www.pbk.org.