Beta of Mississippi in the News

The Society's distinctive emblem, a golden key, essentially reproduces the design originated by the organization's founders during the American Revolutionary War.

2009-2010 Visiting Scholar Hosted at the University of Mississippi

Jean Comaroff, Distinguished Service Professor of Anthropology and Social Sciences at the University of Chicago, visited the University November 1-4.  In addition to her public lecture entitled "Beyond the Politics of Bare Life: AIDS and the New World Order,” she met with students and faculty in history, anthropology and public policy.  Professor Comaroff came to the University as the 2009-2010 Phi Beta Kappa/Frank M. Updike Memorial Scholar and as a distinguished participant in the Visiting Scholar program of the Phi Beta Kappa Society.

Professor Comaroff  joined the faculty of Chicago in 1978. Her research on colonialism, globalization, and modernity, much of it carried out in South Africa and Botswana, focuses on the body, healing, and religious practice. Current interests include law and the struggle for human rights, state sovereignty, and law and social order in postcolonial contexts. She is the author of Body of Power, Spirit of Resistance: The Culture and History of a South African People; and the co-author or co-editor with John Comaroff of Of Revelation and Revolution Vol. I: Christianity, Colonialism and Consciousness in South Africa; Of Revelation and Revolution Vol. II: The Dialectics of Modernity on a South African Frontier; Modernity and Its Malcontents: Ritual and Power in Africa; and Law and Disorder in the Postcolony.

A fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, Professor Comaroff served twice as the director of the École des hautes études en sciences sociales (Paris), and she was the Matina Horner Distinguished Visiting Professor at the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study, Harvard. She has given endowed lectures throughout the U.S. and abroad and held numerous visiting professorships.  She also is the recipient of two Quantrell awards, given by the University of Chicago to outstanding teachers.

Professor Comaroff's visit was funded in part by the Phi Beta Kappa Society. The University of Mississippi chapter of Phi Beta Kappa also received generous support from the College of Liberal Arts, the Croft Institute for International Studies, the Provost's Office and the Departments of History and Political Science.

UM Chapter a Finalist for National PBK Award

The UM chapter of Phi Beta Kappa was a finalist for the Exemplary Chapter Award given this fall.  UM was chosen for its commitment to Phi Beta Kappa goals and the high acceptance rate by students who are invited to join.  The UM chapter was fortunate to be part of a handful of other colleges and university chapters, out of 276 chapters nationwide, to be considered for the honor.  Resident members are grateful to past president Kathryn McKee, past vice-president Daniel O'Sullivan and past secretary-treasurer Maribeth Stolzenburg, whose hard work and guidance led the UM chapter to this recognition.

Spring 2009 Induction Ceremony

Beta of Mississippi inducted 54 students in its ninth induction ceremony, held on April 3, 2009.  One hundred percent of the students invited to join Phi Beta Kappa this year elected to do so. Chancellor Robert C. Khayat delivered the keynote address and, as part of the ceremony, resident members of the chapter officially recognized the Chancellor's important role in the creation of the University of Mississippi chapter.

04/07/2001 - "The University of Mississippi has greeted the first members of Phi Beta Kappa"

Associated Press Newswires. Copyright 2001. The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.    

OXFORD, Miss. (AP) - The University of Mississippi has greeted the first members of Phi Beta Kappa, becoming the first public college in the state to have its own chapter of the prestigious academic honorary.