If you want to impress your future employersor graduate programs, consider becoming a member of the once-secretsociety Phi Beta Kappa.Althoughno longer shrouded inmystery, PBK remainsthe United States’ oldest and most prestigiousacademichonor society. Itchampions education in the arts and sciences, fosters freedom of thought and recognizes academic excellence.
Only 10% of U.S. colleges and universities have PBK chaptersandUniversity of the Pacific is one of them.In 2006, after completing the society’s extensive vetting processwhichunderscoredthe quality oftheuniversity’sprograms, Pacific was chosen to hostPhi Beta Kappa’sChi Chapter of California.
“It’s really a mark of distinction for our College of the Pacific,the liberal arts and sciences core of the university,” said Director of General Education Chris Goff, Pacific’sPBKchapter president.
In addition, this year two Pacific professors, Courtney Lehmann and Bill Swagerty, were recognized with Phi Beta Kappa’s Excellence in Teaching Award.
Membership in PBK meansyou arepart ofaneliteorganizationthat includessuchfamoushigh achieversaspresidents Bill Clinton and Franklin Roosevelt,advocateHelen Keller,Supreme Court JusticeSonia Sotomayor,entrepreneurJeff Bezosand actorGlenn Close,to name just a few.SeventeenAmerican presidents, 40 Supreme Courtjusticesand over 140 Nobellaureates have been countedamongthe ranks of Phi Beta Kappa since its inception in 1776.
“I think that being part of such an amazing society will open doors for you,” said history major Sarah Hess ‘21, who was inducted into PBK in May. “It stands out on resumes to employers just because it shows that kind of dedication to your studies and your school, it shows not only academic dedication and excellence but also an interest in a wide range of subjects, which I think is unique.”
How to get into Phi Beta Kappa
While you don’t apply for membership, there are things you can do to become eligible for an invitation to join Phi Beta Kappa.
Here is what you’ll need to be eligible:
- Junior or senior standing
- GPA of at least 3.7 for seniors or 3.9 for juniors
- Pass a college-level pre-calculuscourse
- Completefour semesters of college-level foreign language or its equivalent
- Fulfill the literature courserequirement
Hess believes there’s a huge advantage in starting to think about joiningthe societyas early asyour freshman year.
“Map out your four-year plan,” Hess said. “Anybody can really set their mind to it at the beginning and work toward that goal by their junior or senior year. It’s a great opportunity, a really amazing society with a lot of benefits.”
Since your membership in Phi Beta Kappa is for life, the advantages go well beyond your college years.You will have a competitive edge in the graduate school or job market, access to scholarships and lifelong access to a network of alumni across the country.
On a lighternote,you will be able to exchange thesociety’s“secret”handshake with suchwell-knownPacificansand PBK members aswriterMatt de la Pena ’96, lawyer andcounsel to tribal governments Little Fawn Boland ’98ornovelistSuzanneRindell’03.
If you’reinterested in learning more about Phi Beta Kappa,can contact Chi Chapter of California President Chris Goffatcgoff@pacific.edu.
