University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill: UNC-Chapel Hill inducts 236 into elite honorary society

Phi Beta Kappa, the nation’s oldest and most honored college honorary society, inducted 236 University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill students as new members. Less than 1% of all college students qualify for acceptance.

The recent induction ceremony featured remarks by Chancellor Kevin M. Guskiewicz and Provost J. Christopher Clemens, and a keynote address by Terry Rhodes, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and professor of music.

Past and present Phi Beta Kappa members from across the country include 17 American presidents, 42 U.S. Supreme Court Justices, more than 150 Nobel Laureates, and numerous artistic, intellectual, and political leaders.

Phi Beta Kappa membership is open to undergraduates in college and professional degree programs who meet stringent eligibility requirements.

A student who has completed 75 hours of course work in the liberal arts and sciences with a GPA of 3.85 or better on a 4-point scale is eligible for membership. Also eligible is any student who has completed 105 hours of course work in the liberal arts and sciences with a 3.75 GPA. Grades earned at other universities are not considered.

Phi Beta Kappa has 290 chapters nationwide. UNC- Chapel Hill’s chapter, Alpha of North Carolina, was founded in 1904 and is the oldest of seven chapters in the state. Each year Phi Beta Kappa chapters and alumni associations across the country raise and distribute more than $1 million in awards, scholarships and prizes benefiting high schools and college students.

Phi Beta Kappa officers at Carolina for 2021-2022 are students Kennedy Miller, president; Lucas Cain, vice president; and Mary Virginia Glennon, recording secretary. James L. Leloudis, professor of history, and Peter T. Grauer, associate dean for Honors Carolina and director of the James M. Johnston Center for Undergraduate Excellence, are chapter executive secretary and faculty advisor.