What is Phi Beta Kappa?

Phi Beta Kappa is the most distinguished academic honor society in the United States, with about 300 chapters at American colleges and universities. Since its founding in 1776, just before the American Revolution, the society has maintained a proud tradition of recognizing academic excellence and liberal learning among college graduates. Membership is highly selective, with each member institution inviting at most 10% of its graduating class to join the society. With such a long history, Phi Beta Kappa has an equally long list of notable members, including a remarkable array of well-known authors, scientists, creative artists, activists, and political leaders.

Phi Beta Kappa’s name refers to its core purpose: the Greek letters phi, beta, and kappa are the initials of the phrase “Philosophia biou kubernetes,” which translates to “Love of learning is the guide of life.” The society’s mission is to celebrate excellence in the liberal arts and sciences, promote life-long learning and freedom of inquiry, and advocate for the importance of a liberal-arts education. It engages members with activities that take place within local chapters at academic institutions, among 50-plus local alumni associations in U.S. cities, and through the national organization.

Phi Beta Kappa at Goucher College: The Beta of Maryland Chapter

Goucher College’s chapter of Phi Beta Kappa was inaugurated in 1905 and has operated continuously since then. As we were then a women’s college, it was a significant step for Goucher to be granted a society chapter by the national organization, and we were among the first small cohort of women’s schools to be honored in this way. Our chapter is formally known as the Beta of Maryland (as the second chapter to be chartered in the state) and consists of all resident Goucher faculty and staff who are also Phi Beta Kappa members. The chapter maintains a presence on campus through hosting visiting scholars, recognizing student work with an annual award, and sponsoring other public events. The resident faculty and staff also select and invite each year’s new Phi Beta Kappa honorees from among the graduating seniors, welcoming them to membership in the society in an induction ceremony each May.

Goucher chapter contacts 2025-26

Jamie Mullaney
President
jamie.mullaney@goucher.edu

Becky Free
Vice-President
becky.free@goucher.edu

Baltimore Alumni Association of the Phi Beta Kappa Society

Chartered since 1996, the Baltimore Alumni Associaton of the Phi Beta Kappa Society is one of fifty Phi Beta Kappa alumni associations. Most of our members live in the Baltimore area, where we regularly meet to learn, to delight in each other's company, and to engage with our community. Our officers and board ensure that members enjoy a steady stream of stimulating educational events from which they can learn and benefit, alongside periodic social gatherings, tours, and networking events that take place in-person and online. There are many societies across the United States joined under the national Phi Beta Kappa organization.