Phi Beta Kappa’s mission—to champion education in the liberal arts and sciences, foster freedom of thought, and recognize academic excellence—has called for us to engage with a wide range of public issues. Our mission, not politics, will continue to drive our nonpartisan advocacy actions.
Not only is an embrace of free expression central to the creation and discovery of knowledge, it also turns out to be the best way to deal constructively with the challenges of our time. Universities can serve as role models for a “vigorous civility” that is sorely lacking in public life, a commitment to disagree without delegitimizing and to begin difficult conversations with a search for shared values and common ground.
This past summer, as the Society has every three years since the first Triennial Council convening in 1883, representatives from Phi Beta Kappa’s 290+ chapters and nearly 50 alumni associations gathered to chart the course of our future. This was a particularly significant conference as we gathered on the cusp of our 250th anniversary in 2026.
The third star on the Phi Beta Kappa key, in addition to the two for learning and morality, is for friendship. This kind of friendship is not only for those with whom we agree. It is also for those with whom we disagree about key fundamentals but with whom we share a community.
Phi Beta Kappa believes that a liberal arts and sciences education requires the ability to inquire deeply and to express oneself freely. This is why freedom of inquiry and freedom of expression have served among our indispensable hallmarks.
An arts and sciences education is not a luxury for simple times—it is a necessity for challenging times.
Liberal arts and sciences education fosters the sustained engagement of free individuals committed to our shared values of justice, liberty, human dignity, and the equality of persons
This is the season when two core aspects of our Phi Beta Kappa mission converge: the recognition of academic excellence on our campuses and our advocacy for the liberal arts and sciences.
A broad-based liberal arts and sciences education prepares us for meaningful, productive, and engaged lives as citizens. The study of science, for both science majors and nonmajors, is vital for all three outcomes of a higher education.
Phi Beta Kappa recognizes academic excellence, a mission that is wholly consistent with admitting diverse and inclusive entering classes. Indeed, our claim to be honoring the most accomplished liberal arts and sciences students in the country requires that the graduating classes that produce our newest members include students from a wide range of backgrounds.
The mentoring that takes place on each of our campuses every day has never been more crucial. After several years of education challenged by the Covid pandemic, the need for mentors to help fill resulting gaps will be greater than ever.
This spring we welcomed our three newest chapters located at Providence College, Rollins College, and the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
