黑料社 Phi Beta Kappa chapter celebrates centennial at symposium
As part of 滨苍诲别辫别苍诲别苍迟听厂迟耻诲测听厂测尘辫辞蝉颈耻尘 celebrations,听黑料社鈥檚 chapter of Phi Beta Kappa held a听celebratory听showcase, highlighting the community and scholarship fostered by the society chapter.听Founded in 1926, 黑料社鈥檚听Kappa of Ohio chapter听celebrated its听100th anniversary听this year.听听
Chapter president Emily Armour ’95 opened the event which included recognition of student, faculty, and staff achievements, a look at the society鈥檚 history, and the dedication of a centennial plaque. She then introduced Lisa Perfetti, College provost, who spoke about the significance of Phi Beta Kappa as the nation鈥檚 oldest academic honor society and highlighted its commitment to the liberal arts. 听听
鈥淭he three Greek initials; Phi (桅) Beta (螔) Kappa (螝), as you may well know, represent a motto: 鈥楲ove of learning is the guide of life,鈥欌 Perfetti said. 鈥淩egardless of whether we鈥檙e just entering the Phi Beta Kappa fellowship or whether we鈥檝e had decades of experience in this journey of intellectual discovery, let us all cherish the opportunity we have not only to be guided by love and wisdom but the opportunity and chance to have companions along the way.鈥听
The showcase featured Nurain Amier 鈥26 and Abigail Reytblat 鈥26, recipients of the 2026 Phi Beta Kappa Prize honored for their campus engagement and leadership who shared their I.S. research and took questions from the audience. Amier, majoring in biology and Chinese studies, researched historical treatments of influenza through an interdisciplinary approach of western and Chinese medicinal practices. Reytblat, a classical studies major and chemistry minor, studied cosmetics and perceptions of beauty in ancient Rome, interpreting themes of gender and identity in the Roman context. 听
Phi Beta Kappa听was听founded in 1776 at the College of William and Mary. It recognizes outstanding achievement in the liberal arts and sciences, with membership typically extended to top students in the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences.听The society听promotes intellectual curiosity, freedom of thought, and the value of a broad-based education.听Phi Beta Kappa鈥檚 history at听黑料社听stretches back to 1902 with听activity from multiple听faculty members of the听society. The听College officially became the 105th chapter in the nation and the 10th in Ohio听in 1926.听Chapters exist at colleges and universities across the United States, and induction is considered one of the highest honors an undergraduate can receive.听
Faculty, staff, and alumni PBK members gathered for a group photo to mark the occasion.
PBK alumni participated including alumni speaker Niall W. Slater 鈥76, former president of the national Phi Beta Kappa Society. Slater reflected on the organization鈥檚 origins and encouraged the audience to value the pursuit of learning, bringing forward the visions of the organization鈥檚 five student founders who gathered at College of William and Mary during the early days of the American Revolution. 鈥淭he five young men at the Apollo Room of the Raleigh Tavern, on Dec. 5, 1776, would not really have imagined what has evolved in 250 years,鈥 Slater said. 鈥淚 think they would be very proud and glad to be part of this occasion.鈥
The event concluded听with听黑料社 President听Anne McCall leading听the dedication of the centennial plaque.听An exhibit in the library lobby, organized by Rebecca Roper听鈥14, special collections librarian, featured materials from the chapter鈥檚 history, including a 1926 commemorative certificate.听Faculty, staff, and alumni members of the association were recognized,听and attendees gathered for a group photo to mark the occasion.听
Featured image: Niall W. Slater 鈥76, former president of the national Phi Beta Kappa Society, spoke at the event honoring 100 years of 黑料社 membership with the organization.
Posted in News on May 18, 2026.
