The Bowling Green Chapter of Phi Beta Kappa recently announced its new inductees.
Phi Beta Kappa is the oldest and most distinguished academic honor society. It was started in 1779 and is a coveted recognition of outstanding scholarship in the liberal arts and sciences.
Many prominent members of our U.S. history have belonged to the group. This includes 16 of our country’s presidents, Mark Twain, Daniel Webster, Jane Adams, Alexander Graham Bell, Pearl Buck, Paul Roberson and Eli Whitney.
“Phi Beta Kappa is a well-known honorary society, though I was unaware of this when I had been notified of my acceptance. My college-educated relatives were very impressed when they found that I had been inducted,” said Junior Chris Fluckinger. The Bowling Green Chapter was charted in 1983, but only after years of close examination by the society’s national office. Each university has to go through this scrutiny in order to be charted. Only 240 universities have been awarded Phi Beta Kappa chapters.
The society is known across the country as an organization full of the who’s who of liberal arts and sciences students.
“There are many benefits to being involved in the group, it can be used as a reference on a resume and it provides opportunities to gain leadership skills and participate in community service projects,” said senior Bethany Chime.
To become a member of Phi Beta Kappa, Bowling Green students must be at least a junior, in the top 15 percent of their class, be in a liberal arts and sciences program, and meet GPA requirements. Members are also required to pay a $40 membership fee that goes toward general funds of the group. Once members are inducted, they can attend meetings and participate in community service projects. For the most part, it is a society that does not require heavy participation.
“I am both proud and excited to be a member of Phi Beta Kappa and I am very grateful that there are organizations like Phi Beta Kappa that honors hard work and achievement. It really gives me motivation to continue my studies, partly because I believe my efforts will not go unnoticed.” Fluckinger said.
