Phi Beta Kappa at LSU

Phi Beta Kappa is the nation’s oldest academic honor society. It was founded in 1776 at the College of William and Mary.  For more than two centuries, it has advocated the ideas of liberal education as a basis for a lifelong love of learning and as a way to broaden the perspectives of students, whatever their chosen field of endeavor.

The LSU chapter was installed in 1977 as Beta of Louisiana. (The Alpha of Louisiana chapter is at Tulane University.) The chapter at LSU was made possible due to the hard work of many LSU faculty who were themselves members of Phi Beta Kappa.

New members are elected by LSU faculty PBK members each year from among outstanding juniors, seniors, and fall graduates.  An annual induction ceremony takes place in April.

LSU’s Chapter of Phi Beta Kappa also sponsors visiting lecturers as part of the Phi Beta Kappa Visiting Scholars Program