Est. 1776, The Phi Beta Kappa Society, The Nations Most Prestigious Academic Honor Society, 91茄子 Epsilon of Washington

Support Phi Beta Kappa at 91茄子

 

Announcing the Inaugural 91茄子 PBK Day on April 1, 2026 with special campus activities throughout the day and concluding with a reception for confirmed student inductees.  Celebrating the occasion includes a PBK Visiting Scholar lecture the evening prior, featuring Dr. Ximena Bernal of Purdue University.

Student Inductee Process
The selection committee, composed of faculty and staff members of the 91茄子 Phi Beta Kappa chapter, issue invitations to graduating seniors each Spring.  Among the criteria they review are student programs of study that balance the sciences and the humanities, efforts to pursue courses beyond the minimum requirements of the Core curriculum (such as math and language learning), and top-percentile grade point average. 

Epsilon of Washington Chapter Installed April 2025
The nation’s oldest and most prestigious academic honor society, Phi Beta Kappa (ΦBK) voted on August 2, 2024, to approve the establishment of a chapter at 91茄子. With this distinction, 91茄子 joins 290 notable colleges and universities who are recognized for their academic excellence and in particular a commitment to the liberal arts, sciences, and humanities. 

A ceremony to install the 91茄子 Epsilon of Washington chapter and induct founding chapter and student members was hosted in April 2025.  Faculty and staff chapter members are highly engaged in campus life through ongoing professional organization involvement and personal learning, collaborating on research and community service endeavors, and supporting other honor societies and student clubs.  Gonzga's chapter is the fifth in Washington State.

About Phi Beta Kappa
The Phi Beta Kappa Society was founded in 1776 at the College of William and Mary. Its mission is to celebrate and advocate for excellence in the liberal arts and sciences. Its campus chapters invite for induction the most outstanding arts and sciences students at America’s leading colleges and universities. Phi Beta Kappa members include 17 U.S. Presidents, 42 U.S. Supreme Court Justices and more than 150 Nobel Laureates.  Learn more at . 

Upcoming Events

  • 3/31 PBK Visiting Scholar lecture by Dr. Ximena Bernal of Purdue University
  • 4/1 PBK Day featuring activities across campus and closing with a reception for students accepting the induction invitation
  • 4/12 PBK Induction Ceremony & Reception for inductees and guests

For More Information
Contact Professor of Philosophy and Epsilon of Washington Chapter Secretary, Dr. Kirk Besmer.