Philosophia
Biou Kubernetes,
"Love of wisdom, the
guide of life."
The Society's distinctive emblem, a
golden
key, is widely recognized as a symbol of academic achievement.
Phi Beta Kappa, founded at the College of William and Mary in 1776, is the oldest undergraduate honors organization in the United States. Its mission is to recognize academic excellence and promote education in the liberal arts and sciences.
For the past two hundred and twenty-five years, election to Phi Beta Kappa has been a recognition of outstanding academic achievement. The goal of the Phi Beta Kappa Society is to encourage humane learning - an object which transcends the mere gaining of knowledge to encompass breadth of interest, depth of understanding, intellectual honesty, and respect for a diversity of informed opinion. Today, the Phi Beta Kappa Society, with about half a million living members, is one of the nation's leading advocates for the liberal arts and sciences at the undergraduate level.
The University of Mississippi Chapter of Phi
Beta Kappa
was chartered on April 6, 2001. It is the second of two chapters
established in the state, with the Alpha of Mississippi Chapter
residing
at Millsaps College. Ole Miss is now in an elite group of only
270
colleges and universities in the nation that shelter a chapter.
In
addition to recognizing outstanding undergraduates at an annual
initiation
ceremony, the University of Mississippi Chapter sponsors lectures by
distinguished
Phi Beta Kappa Visiting Scholars.
Faculty and staff of the University of Mississippi who are members of Phi Beta Kappa conduct
the business of the Beta of Mississippi Chapter. All employees of
the University who are Phi Beta Kappa members are encouraged to contact
the Secretary-Treasurer to become involved with the Chapter.