November 30, 2015
Phi Beta Kappa members invited to take group photo Dec. 3
All K-State faculty, staff and student members of Phi Beta Kappa are invited to take a group photo at noon on Thursday, Dec. 3, on the front steps of Anderson Hall as part of a national week of celebration recognizing the society's 239th anniversary.
"We're proud to celebrate the commitment to excellence in the liberal arts and sciences that links K-State and Phi Beta Kappa," said Laura Kanost, associate professor of Spanish and president of the K-State chapter. "We have more than 75 Phi Beta Kappa members at K-State, and we would love to include everyone in this photo to capture our support for the organization's ideals of interdisciplinary achievement and academic freedom."
Phi Beta Kappa was founded during the American Revolution on Dec. 5, 1776, at the College of William and Mary. For more than 225 years, the society has embraced the principles of freedom of inquiry and liberty of thought and expression. The letters ΦBK are the initials of the Greek motto, Philosophiae Biou Kubernetes, meaning "Philosophy [the love of learning] is the Guide of Life." Though laptops have replaced quill pens, 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.
The Beta of Kansas Chapter at K-State was founded in 1974 by 35 resident faculty members. The chapter continues to recognize excellence in the liberal arts and sciences with election each spring of juniors and seniors who demonstrate scholarly achievement, good character and broad cultural interests.
For more information about the Beta of Kansas Chapter at K-State, visit k-state.edu/pbk.