Chapman University Digital Commons

Phi Beta Kappa, founded at the College of William and Mary in 1776, is the oldest undergraduate honors organization in the United States. Its mission is to recognize academic excellence and promote education in the liberal arts and sciences.

For the past 225 years, election to Phi Beta Kappa has been a recognition of outstanding academic achievement and is considered a crowning accomplishment of a graduating senior’s college career. The goal of the Phi Beta Kappa Society is to encourage humane learning—an object which transcends the mere gaining of knowledge to encompass breadth of interest, depth of understanding, intellectual honesty, and respect for a diversity of informed opinion. Today, the Phi Beta Kappa Society, with about half a million living members, is one of the nation’s leading advocates for the liberal arts and sciences at the undergraduate level.

Psi Chapter of California, Chapman University’s Phi Beta Kappa chapter, was established in 2018. Chapman University is now counted among an elite group of fewer than 300 colleges and universities in the United States – that is, among fewer than 10 percent of colleges and universities nationwide – that have been selected to shelter a chapter. In addition to recognizing outstanding undergraduates at an annual initiation ceremony, Psi Chapter at Chapman University will sponsor lectures by distinguished Phi Beta Kappa Visiting Scholars and present other timely and scholarly events.

Faculty and staff of Chapman University who are members of Phi Beta Kappa conduct the business of Psi Chapter. All employees of the University who are Phi Beta Kappa members are encouraged to contact us to become involved with the Chapter.