Phi Beta Kappa

National Arts & Sciences Honor Society

Mu of Virginia
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

OFFICERS:

HISTORY:

This honor society was founded in 1776 at the College of William and Mary. It is the oldest Greek Letter fraternity in America. At the time, members engaged in debating and literary pursuits. Later, the society was established at Harvard and Yale, and in 1875 the first women were admitted. It was chartered at Virginia Tech in 1977.

Membership over the years has included giants in American history such as John Marshall, Helen Keller, Eli Whitney, Booker T. Washington, and the best and the brightest from politics, law, business, science, entertainment, publishing, and education. Some names include Isaac Asimov, Leonard Bernstein, Jonas Salk, Gloria Steinem, and 15 presidents.

REQUIREMENTS FOR ELIGIBILITY:

• minimum QCA requirements
• liberal arts hours requirements
• minimum hour requirement at Virginia Tech
• number of undergraduates elected as juniors and seniors may not exceed ten percent of the seniors expected to graduate, a maximum of one-fifth of these may be elected as juniors

DUES:

Initiation fee: $85 (including Phi Beta Kappa key, $65 without)
Dues: none

INITIATION:

When:

• Fall - Electees graduating in December receive an invitation from the society in November.
• Spring - Invitations issued in late March.

Average number of inductees per year: 110

Length of active status: lifetime, however most members are inactive after graduation

ACTIVITIES:

The John D. Wilson / Phi Beta Kappa Essay Contest

The Al Sturm Award for Excellence in Faculty Research

INFORMATION:

The 2002-2003 Annual Report

The 2001-2002 Annual Report

The 2000-2001 Annual Report

The 1999-2000 Annual Report

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