{"id":2019,"date":"2026-01-12T18:56:19","date_gmt":"2026-01-12T18:56:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/academics\/?page_id=2019"},"modified":"2026-02-10T15:52:46","modified_gmt":"2026-02-10T15:52:46","slug":"phi-beta-kappa","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/academics\/phi-beta-kappa\/","title":{"rendered":"Phi Beta Kappa"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"pl-2019\"  class=\"panel-layout\" ><div id=\"pg-2019-0\"  class=\"panel-grid panel-no-style\" ><div id=\"pgc-2019-0-0\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-2019-0-0-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_text panel-first-child\" data-index=\"0\" ><div class=\"smcm-intro-section panel-widget-style panel-widget-style-for-2019-0-0-0\" >\t\t\t<div class=\"textwidget\"><h2>Prestigious. Exceptional distinction. Scholarly achievement.<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div><\/div><div id=\"panel-2019-0-0-1\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_text panel-last-child\" data-index=\"1\" >\t\t\t<div class=\"textwidget\"><p>Founded by five students at the College of William and Mary on December 5, 1776, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pbk.org\/\">the Phi Beta Kappa society<\/a> is the nation\u2019s most prestigious academic honor society and the leading advocate for the liberal arts and sciences at the undergraduate level. Only 10% of U.S. colleges and universities have Phi Beta Kappa chapters.\u00a0The charter for the St. Mary\u2019s College of Maryland Zeta chapter of PBK was approved on September 27, 1997, and since then has inducted 660 students.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div><\/div><div id=\"pgc-2019-0-1\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-2019-0-1-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_media_image panel-first-child panel-last-child\" data-index=\"2\" ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"2205\" src=\"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/30\/2026\/02\/bgreene_6100_53640975568_o-scaled-1.jpg\" class=\"image wp-image-2046  attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"A student in a cap and gown receives a certificate from a faculty member at an indoor academic award ceremony.\" style=\"max-width: 100%; height: auto;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/30\/2026\/02\/bgreene_6100_53640975568_o-scaled-1.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/30\/2026\/02\/bgreene_6100_53640975568_o-scaled-1-300x258.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/30\/2026\/02\/bgreene_6100_53640975568_o-scaled-1-1024x882.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/30\/2026\/02\/bgreene_6100_53640975568_o-scaled-1-768x662.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/30\/2026\/02\/bgreene_6100_53640975568_o-scaled-1-1536x1323.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/30\/2026\/02\/bgreene_6100_53640975568_o-scaled-1-2048x1764.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"pg-2019-1\"  class=\"panel-grid panel-no-style\" ><div id=\"pgc-2019-1-0\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-2019-1-0-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_smcm-gold-buttons panel-first-child panel-last-child\" data-index=\"3\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-smcm-gold-buttons so-widget-smcm-gold-buttons-default-d75171398898-2019\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t><nav class=\"smcm-gold-buttons\"><ul><li><div class=\"smcm-gb-item\"><a href=\"#election-induction\"><div class=\"smcm-gb-label-wrapper\"><i class=\"fa-solid fa-building-columns\"><\/i>Election and Induction<\/div><div class=\"smcm-gb-icon-wrapper\"><i class=\"fa-solid fa-angles-down smcm-gb-linktype\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><\/div><\/a><\/div><div class=\"smcm-gb-item\"><a href=\"#chapter-events\"><div class=\"smcm-gb-label-wrapper\"><i class=\"fa-regular fa-calendar-days\"><\/i>Chapter Events<\/div><div class=\"smcm-gb-icon-wrapper\"><i class=\"fa-solid fa-angles-down smcm-gb-linktype\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><\/div><\/a><\/div><div class=\"smcm-gb-item\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pbk.org\/\"><div class=\"smcm-gb-label-wrapper\"><i class=\"fa-solid fa-handshake\"><\/i>The Phi Beta Kappa Society<\/div><div class=\"smcm-gb-icon-wrapper\"><i class=\"fa-solid fa-arrow-up-right-from-square smcm-gb-linktype\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><\/div><\/a><\/div><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"pg-2019-2\"  class=\"panel-grid panel-has-style\" ><div class=\"siteorigin-panels-stretch panel-row-style panel-row-style-for-2019-2\" data-stretch-type=\"full\" ><div id=\"pgc-2019-2-0\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-2019-2-0-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_smcm-title panel-first-child\" data-index=\"4\" ><div id=\"election-induction\" class=\"panel-widget-style panel-widget-style-for-2019-2-0-0\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-smcm-title so-widget-smcm-title-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t><h2 class=\"smcm-section-title navy\" style=\"\"><strong>Election and Induction<\/strong><\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"panel-2019-2-0-1\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_text\" data-index=\"5\" >\t\t\t<div class=\"textwidget\"><p>Students elected as Members-in-Course receive their certificates and graduation honor cords at the induction ceremony held once a year, traditionally the first week in April. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/academics\/phi-beta-kappa\/honorary-and-alumni-phi-beta-kappa-members\/\">Alumni and Honorary members<\/a> (which may be elected each year) are also recognized at induction.<\/p>\n<p>Students have two occasions to be considered for election to Phi Beta Kappa.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>at the beginning of the spring semester of the junior year, considering five semesters of grades<\/li>\n<li>at the beginning of the spring semester of the senior year, considering seven semesters of grades<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Transfer students must have completed four semesters at SMCM before they are eligible for consideration.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Students are elected primarily on the basis of three elements<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Broad cultural interests<\/li>\n<li>Scholarly achievement<\/li>\n<li>Good character<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Candidates are nominated for election by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/academics\/phi-beta-kappa\/resident-phi-beta-kappa-members\/\">resident members<\/a> of their chapters and cannot apply for membership.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div><div id=\"panel-2019-2-0-2\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_smcm-accordion panel-last-child\" data-index=\"6\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-smcm-accordion so-widget-smcm-accordion-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t><div class=\"smcm-accordion  navy\"><div class=\"title-container\"><h3>Eligibility<\/h3><i class=\"fa-solid fa-plus open-close\" ><\/i><\/div><div class=\"smcm-accordion-content\"> <div class=\"smcm-ac-content-wrapper\"><h3>Seniors<\/h3>\n<p>Seniors may be considered for nomination to Phi Beta Kappa under the following conditions:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The student has completed at least 48 credit hours of work in residence at St. Mary\u2019s College of Maryland and be registered to complete additional hours to total at least 64 semester hours. If a student has completed fewer than 108 credits in residence at St. Mary\u2019s College of Maryland, a review of work completed elsewhere will be done.<\/li>\n<li>The student has second, or non-native, language competency by test or course through the 201-level.<\/li>\n<li>The student has completed at least one course in quantitative or mathematical thinking<\/li>\n<li>The student has a grade point average of 3.75 or higher.<\/li>\n<li>The student has demonstrated breadth in coursework by the number and variety of courses taken outside their major.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Juniors<\/h3>\n<p>Juniors may be considered for nomination to Phi Beta Kappa under the following conditions:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The student has completed at least 80 credit hours of work in residence at St. Mary\u2019s College of Maryland, accumulated in at least 5 semesters of college enrollment.<\/li>\n<li>The student has second, or non-native, language competency by test or course through the 201-level.<\/li>\n<li>The student has completed at least one course in quantitative or mathematical thinking<\/li>\n<li>The caliber of the student\u2019s work should be of exceptional distinction, including a grade point average of at least 3.90.<\/li>\n<li>The student has demonstrated breadth in coursework by the number and variety of courses taken outside their major.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Nominations for membership in course shall be made by the Committee on Members-in-Course on the basis of a review of student transcripts; <strong>there is no \u201capplication\u201d or \u201crecommendation\u201d process<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>The number of students elected from any class ordinarily would not exceed 10% of the undergraduates expected to receive the liberal bachelor\u2019s degree in that class. <strong>Thus, it is possible that a student with a 3.75 GPA and adequate progress toward their degree may not be elected to membership<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<h3>Process<\/h3>\n<p>In early January, the Chair of the Committee on Members-in-Course retrieves from the Registrar\u2019s office a list of students who meet the eligibility requirements. Committee members gather to review the list and propose elections. Then at the annual chapter meeting in late January\/early February, resident Phi Beta Kappa faculty and staff members elect ~ 25-30 students, depending on the size of the graduating class. Election is by secret ballot and requires an affirmative vote by three-fourths of the resident members present at the meeting.<\/p>\n<h3>Notification<\/h3>\n<p>In mid-February students elected to Phi Beta Kappa will receive email notification by the president of the chapter, who will provide detailed registration and induction-related instructions. Students must complete the online registration form, which is forwarded to national headquarters in Washington, DC, to be considered members of Phi Beta Kappa.<\/p>\n<h3>Fees<\/h3>\n<p>There is a one-time $85 induction fee to the Society for all new members-in-course which the chapter completely covers. The chapter also provides inductees with honor cords to wear at commencement.<\/p>\n<h3>Benefits<\/h3>\n<p>Honorifics vary in value, so it is important to find out which ones matter the most. Our society does not aim to supply a mere credential: belonging to Phi Beta Kappa means more than simply a certification of your grade point average or your resume. In the wider world, membership in our organization is understood as an honor that is neither cheaply won nor widely bestowed. And we offer opportunities to continue to learn and grow in the company of other members of our society across the country and across generations. The networking potential alone is huge. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pbk.org\/membership\/member-benefit\">Learn more about membership benefits<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"pg-2019-3\"  class=\"panel-grid panel-no-style\" ><div id=\"pgc-2019-3-0\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-2019-3-0-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_smcm-title panel-first-child\" data-index=\"7\" ><div id=\"chapter-events\" class=\"panel-widget-style panel-widget-style-for-2019-3-0-0\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-smcm-title so-widget-smcm-title-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t><h2 class=\"smcm-section-title navy\" style=\"\">Chapter <strong>Events<\/strong><\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"panel-2019-3-0-1\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_text\" data-index=\"8\" >\t\t\t<div class=\"textwidget\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In addition to conferring membership to outstanding students, SMCM\u2019s Zeta Chapter of Phi Beta Kappa is involved in advocacy programs to spread the message about the benefits of a liberal arts education.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div><div id=\"panel-2019-3-0-2\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_text\" data-index=\"9\" >\t\t\t<div class=\"textwidget\"><h3>Visiting Scholars<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div><div id=\"panel-2019-3-0-3\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_text panel-last-child\" data-index=\"10\" >\t\t\t<div class=\"textwidget\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Started in 1956, the Visiting Scholars program sends distinguished speakers to chapters across the country to meet with faculty and students and to address the school. The purpose of the program is to contribute to the intellectual life of the campus by making possible an exchange of ideas between distinguished visiting scholars and the resident faculty and students. During their time on campus, Visiting Scholars speak to classes and clubs, share meals with faculty, staff, and students, and give a public lecture.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div><\/div><div id=\"pgc-2019-3-1\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-2019-3-1-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_media_image panel-first-child panel-last-child\" data-index=\"11\" ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" src=\"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/30\/2026\/02\/IMG_3613-scaled.jpg\" class=\"image wp-image-2047  attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"A group of people are seated in a circle on chairs in a well-lit room with large windows, having a discussion.\" style=\"max-width: 100%; height: auto;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/30\/2026\/02\/IMG_3613-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/30\/2026\/02\/IMG_3613-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/30\/2026\/02\/IMG_3613-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/30\/2026\/02\/IMG_3613-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/30\/2026\/02\/IMG_3613-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/30\/2026\/02\/IMG_3613-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/30\/2026\/02\/IMG_3613-272x182.jpg 272w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"pg-2019-4\"  class=\"panel-grid panel-no-style\" ><div id=\"pgc-2019-4-0\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-2019-4-0-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_media_image panel-first-child panel-last-child\" data-index=\"12\" ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"555\" src=\"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/30\/2026\/02\/54923671798_eaa0563b1c_c.jpg\" class=\"image wp-image-2050  attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"Seven women stand indoors behind a wooden desk; five in the center hold books. A Phi Beta Kappa Society banner is displayed on the right.\" style=\"max-width: 100%; height: auto;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/30\/2026\/02\/54923671798_eaa0563b1c_c.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/30\/2026\/02\/54923671798_eaa0563b1c_c-300x208.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/30\/2026\/02\/54923671798_eaa0563b1c_c-768x533.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/div><\/div><div id=\"pgc-2019-4-1\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-2019-4-1-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_text panel-first-child\" data-index=\"13\" >\t\t\t<div class=\"textwidget\"><h3>Book Awards<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div><div id=\"panel-2019-4-1-1\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_text panel-last-child\" data-index=\"14\" >\t\t\t<div class=\"textwidget\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Each fall, the chapter works with National Honor Society advisors from high schools in St. Mary&#8217;s County who nominate students based on the criteria of outstanding academic records and evidence of high moral character. Those selected for the award are given a book relevant to their field(s) of interest. Current high-achieving sophomores at St. Mary&#8217;s College of Maryland are also personally invited to attend the ceremony in November and are recognized for their success at SMCM thus far.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"pg-2019-5\"  class=\"panel-grid panel-has-style\" ><div class=\"panel-row-style panel-row-style-for-2019-5\" ><div id=\"pgc-2019-5-0\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-2019-5-0-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_smcm-title panel-first-child panel-last-child\" data-index=\"15\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-smcm-title so-widget-smcm-title-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t><h2 class=\"smcm-section-title white\" style=\"\"><strong>Questions<\/strong>?<\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"pg-2019-6\"  class=\"panel-grid panel-has-style\" ><div class=\"panel-row-style panel-row-style-for-2019-6\" ><div id=\"pgc-2019-6-0\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-2019-6-0-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_text panel-first-child panel-last-child\" data-index=\"16\" >\t\t\t<div class=\"textwidget\"><p><img decoding=\"async\" style=\"border-radius: 4px; background-color: #00250c;\" src=\"https:\/\/inside.smcm.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/focal_point_s_c_480_promo\/public\/2023-08\/Aileen-Bailey.jpg?h=fa5b3df5&amp;itok=fdWSI1PG\" alt=\"A woman in business attire smiles.\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div><\/div><div id=\"pgc-2019-6-1\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-2019-6-1-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_text panel-first-child panel-last-child\" data-index=\"17\" >\t\t\t<div class=\"textwidget\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a style=\"color: #ffffff;\" href=\"https:\/\/inside.smcm.edu\/directory\/aileen-m-bailey\">Aileen Bailey<\/a><br \/>\nPBK President (AY25-26)<br \/>\n<a style=\"color: #ffffff;\" href=\"mailto:ambailey@smcm.edu\">ambailey@smcm.edu<\/a><br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div><\/div><div id=\"pgc-2019-6-2\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell panel-grid-cell-empty\" ><\/div><div id=\"pgc-2019-6-3\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell panel-grid-cell-empty\" ><\/div><div id=\"pgc-2019-6-4\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-2019-6-4-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_text panel-first-child panel-last-child\" data-index=\"18\" >\t\t\t<div class=\"textwidget\"><p><img decoding=\"async\" style=\"border-radius: 4px; background-color: #00250c;\" src=\"https:\/\/inside.smcm.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/focal_point_s_c_480_promo\/public\/2024-08\/AngieDraheimF24.jpg?h=1c1e0ffa&#038;itok=Vu3C90S1\" alt=\"A woman with dark faces the camera in front of a brick wall.\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div><\/div><div id=\"pgc-2019-6-5\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell panel-grid-cell-mobile-last\" ><div id=\"panel-2019-6-5-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_text panel-first-child panel-last-child\" data-index=\"19\" >\t\t\t<div class=\"textwidget\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a style=\"color: #ffffff;\" href=\"https:\/\/inside.smcm.edu\/directory\/angie-draheim\">Angie Draheim<\/a><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">PBK Secretary (AY25-26)<br \/>\n<a style=\"color: #ffffff;\" href=\"mailto:ardraheim@smcm.edu\">ardraheim@smcm.edu<\/a><br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div><\/div><div id=\"pgc-2019-6-6\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell panel-grid-cell-empty\" ><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Prestigious. Exceptional distinction. Scholarly achievement. Founded by five students at the College of William and Mary on December 5, 1776, the Phi Beta Kappa society is the nation\u2019s most prestigious academic honor society and the leading advocate for the liberal arts and sciences at the undergraduate level. Only 10% of U.S. colleges and universities have [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":234,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"full-width-content","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-2019","page","type-page","status-publish","entry"],"acf":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2019","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/234"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2019"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2019\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2087,"href":"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2019\/revisions\/2087"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2019"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}