Phi Beta Kappa

Phi Beta Kappa is the oldest and most prestigious academic honor society in the United States.

Phi Beta Kappa is synonymous with excellence in the liberal arts, and membership in the society is considered to be a great honor. A Phi Beta Kappa key is widely held as an emblem of academic and personal achievement. Davidson is one of only 283 colleges and universities to have a Phi Beta Kappa chapter. As an honorary society, Phi Beta Kappa is not a social group like a fraternity or sorority.

Founded on December 5, 1776, the Phi Beta Kappa Society is as old as our nation, and its symbols, traditions, and motto — “Love of learning is the guide of life”— date back to this time. In the two centuries since its founding, Phi Beta Kappa has continued to promote and celebrate academic achievement.

While Phi Beta Kappa has grown since 1776, it remains highly selective. Each chapter can elect only a small percentage of students to membership.

Davidson College Chapter

The Davidson College Chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, Gamma of North Carolina, was established in 1923. It grew out of the Mimir Society, a local society established in 1915 for the recognition of attainment in scholarship.

Since its founding, the chapter has elected 3,014 students to membership in Phi Beta Kappa. These initiates are among the academic elite and include Rhodes Scholars, Watson Scholars, National Science Foundation Fellowship holders and others who have followed careers in medicine, law, business, the arts, and academia.

Officers

• President: Mary Beth Hernandez
• Past President: Prof. Lauren Stutts
• Vice President: Prof. Sharon Green
• Secretary-Treasurer: Prof. Richard Neidinger