Since 1776
Oldest Academic Honor Society
The Phi Beta Kappa Society (ΦΒΚ or PBK) is the nation's oldest and most prestigious academic honor society. Founded in 1776, Phi Beta Kappa celebrates and advocates excellence in the liberal arts and sciences. The Epsilon of Texas Chapter at Trinity University was founded in 1974 and is one of only 270 chapters in the United States.
Election to Phi Beta Kappa is a prestigious honor - one that will remain on your resume long after other accolades have been removed.
Election Process
Only students at a college or university may be inducted into Phi Beta Kappa. Membership is invitation-only and contingent upon fulfillment of minimum requirements; there is no application process. Selection of student members, or members-in-course, is generally made in the senior year, although some juniors are elected each year.
Minimum Requirements
The criteria for election to Phi Beta Kappa are determined by the Chapter under guidelines of the national organization. In order to be considered for election into Trinity’s chapter of PBK, students must meet these minimum requirements:
1
Completion of 60 credit hours of primarily liberal arts coursework at Trinity University.
2
Completion of an intermediate level or above course* in mathematics, logic, or statistics.
3
Completion of an intermediate level or above course* in a foreign language.
4
Meet the minimum grade point average (GPA) requirement, as set by the Chapter each year.
* course must be at the college level (placement exam credit does not count) and completed for a grade, not for pass/fail credit.
An invitation to join Phi Beta Kappa recognizes and honors exceptional academic achievement in the arts and sciences.
Chapter Officers
Please contact a chapter officer if you have questions about the Trinity chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, eligibility criteria, or the election process.
Faculty and Staff Members
Alan Astro, Modern Languages & Literatures
Richard Butler, Economics and Alumni Relations & Development
Kelly Grey Carlisle, English
Erwin Cook, Classical Studies
Christina Cooley, Chemistry
Mark Garrison, Art History
Andrew Hansen, Human Comm. & Theater
Thomas Jenkins, Classical Studies
Jason Johnson, History
Michele Johnson, Biology
Andrew Kraebel, English
Glenn Kroeger, Geosciences
Steven Luper, Philosophy
Corina Maeder, Chemistry
Berna Massingill, Computer Science
Kimberly McBrien, Religion
Brita Munsinger, Computer Science
Chris Nolan, Library
Judith Norman, Philosophy
Kathryn O’Rourke, Art History
Timothy O’Sullivan, Classical Studies
Neal Pape, Information Technology Services
David Rando, English
Richard Reams, Counseling Services
Kathryn Santos, English
Heather Sullivan, Modern Languages & Literature
Curtis Swope, Modern Languages & Literature
Emma Treadway, Engineering Science
Adam Urbach, Chemistry
Ben Vaughan, Economics
Michael Ward, Modern Languages & Literatures