Phi Beta Kappa

Phi Beta Kappa

Phi Beta Kappa key

Alpha Delta of New York

Phi Beta Kappa is the nation's oldest and most prestigious academic honor society, celebrating and advocating excellence in the liberal arts and sciences. This society exists because those who founded it believed, as we believe still, that there are achievements worthy of celebration: academic work of extraordinary quality, exemplary leadership, and research that advances human knowledge.

Geneseo's chapter, Alpha Delta of New York, was established in 2004. The chapter annually invites for induction the college's most outstanding liberal arts and sciences students. We also sponsor activities on campus to increase awareness of the importance of the liberal arts and sciences.

About one college senior in 100, nationwide, is invited to join Phi Beta Kappa. Seventeen U.S. Presidents, thirty-eight U.S. Supreme Court Justices, and one hundred and thirty-six Nobel laureates can be counted among the ranks of Phi Beta Kappa members.

News and Upcoming Events

20th Anniversary Celebration

Geneseo's Phi Beta Kappa chapter was installed 20 years ago! We will mark the anniversary with a reception on Wednesday, April 3, from 12:30 to 2:30 in the ISC atrium. Food and drinks throughout, and remarks and reflections on PBK at Geneseo at 1:00.

2023-24 Phi Beta Kappa Lecture

Head and shoulders of a dark haired young woman

We are pleased to announce that the 2023-24 Phi Beta Kappa lecture will be by Geneseo alumna Daina Bouquin (’11), Data Operations and Research Manager for the National Parks Conservation Association, and formerly Head Librarian for Harvard Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics. Daina will speak on "Metadata, Meaning, and Erasure in Astronomy." From the abstract: "Through a blend of historical and contemporary case studies, this lecture will highlight the use of metadata to elevate the work of 19th and early 20th-century women astronomers and the development of citation practices for research software in modern astronomy. These examples demonstrate how robust, intentional metadata practices can reveal hidden narratives and ensure that credit is given where credit is due." Thursday, April 4, 3:30 - 4:20 PM, Newton 202.

New Members Inducted May 10, 2023

A large room with many people sitting or standing at round tables; the people are applauding.

On May 10 we welcomed 74 seniors and 11 juniors as new members of Phi Beta Kappa. The inductees, their guests, and chapter members gathered in the College Union Ballroom (or on our video stream) for the induction ceremony and a celebration of the students' achievement. Congratulations to all!

2022-23 Phi Beta Kappa Lecture

We were delighted that Phi Beta Kappa Visiting Scholar Ricardo Padrón visited Geneseo on February 23 and 24, 2023 to give the annual Phi Beta Kappa Lecture. Dr. Padrón is a professor of Spanish at the University of Virginia, specializing in the literature and culture of the early modern Spanish world.

“Keys to Action” Week Award

We are very pleased that the slideshow we created to mark the 240th anniversary of the founding of Phi Beta Kappa and the 12th year of Phi Beta Kappa at Geneseo was recognized by Phi Beta Kappa as the most creative chapter contribution to “Keys to Action” Week 2016.