<p>Florida State University has the Alpha Chapter of Phi Beta Kappa in Florida. This means FSU has the first chapter in the state, having earned it in 1935. The second oldest chapter (Beta) came in 1938.</p>
<p>Why does this matter? What's the big deal?</p>
<p>Fair questions. Let's see what PBK says about itself and what it takes to earn a PBK chapter:
[quote]
The Nation's Oldest and Most Widely Known Academic Honor Society</p>
<p>Five students at the College of William and Mary founded Phi Beta Kappa in 1776, during the American Revolution. For over two and a quarter centuries, the Society has embraced the principles of freedom of inquiry and liberty of thought and expression. Laptops have replaced quill pens, but these ideas, symbolized on Phi Beta Kappa's distinctive gold key, still lay the foundations of personal freedom, scientific inquiry, liberty of conscience and creative endeavor.
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</p>
<p>PBK is widely known in academic circles. It is likely the oldest and best known indicator of academic quality at universities there is in the United States.</p>
<p>
[quote]
An Emblem of High Achievement and Strong Potential</p>
<p>Only about 10 percent of the nation's institutions of higher learning have Phi Beta Kappa chapters.</p>
<p>Only about 10 percent of the arts and sciences graduates of these distinguished institutions are selected for Phi Beta Kappa membership.</p>
<p>The ideal Phi Beta Kappan has demonstrated intellectual integrity, tolerance for other views, and a broad range of academic interests. Each year, about one college senior in a hundred, nationwide, is invited to join Phi Beta Kappa.</p>
<p>Membership in Phi Beta Kappa shows commitment to the liberal arts and sciences, and to freedom of inquiry and expression — and it provides a competitive edge in the marketplace. Potential employers regularly contact the national office of Phi Beta Kappa to confirm the membership of job seekers who have listed Phi Beta Kappa among their credentials.
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<p>So, does any university get a chapter if they want one? Is this like the National Honor Society at a high school, where virtually every high school has a chapter? </p>
<p>No and no.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Phi Beta Kappa sets high standards not only for the selection of students elected to membership but also for the institutions which may shelter a chapter. Applications for new chapters are accepted on a triennial basis following a lengthy process of documentation by the Phi Beta Kappa members among an institution's faculty and administrative staff.
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<p>Which student do you think gets selected to enter med or law school? The graduate who was elected to PBK or the graduate, with the same scores, who is not a member of PBK?</p>
<p>Like it not, academia is a very traditional environment. University faculty wear garb at ceremonies dated to the Middle Ages. Why dress in such wacky clothes if this does not matter? Academics at the highest levels carry and wear their school "colors" from university to university when they are faculty members. Established academic credentials matter, especially when applying to extremely competitive graduate programs.</p>
<p>See also: Phi</a> Beta Kappa Society :: Home</p>
<p>and</p>
<p>fsu.edu</a> | Phi Beta Kappa</p>
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