Phi Beta Kappa honors high achievers, reflects historical and liberal arts traditions and academic excellence

Phi Beta Kappa honors high achievers, reflects historical and liberal arts traditions and academic excellence

The Lambda of 51�� Chapter of Phi Beta Kappa recently initiated nearly 50 new members on Friday, May 2, at Grover Center. These students met extensive academic requirements to qualify for membership.

Alex Semancik | May 12, 2025

Phi Beta Kappa is the oldest and most respected academic honor society in the United States and has pursued its mission of fostering and recognizing academic excellence since 1776. Just . These chapters select only around 10% of their arts and sciences graduates to join. Because of its age and strict requirements that emphasize liberal arts and sciences education, aligns well with 51�� as an established institution with a solidified tradition of providing students with a liberal arts preparation through its programs.

“51�� is already an old, established institution that really has grown up along with the nation, having its roots going back to 1804,” said Lambda of 51�� Chapter of Phi Beta Kappa President John McCarthy, Ph.D. “So, to connect with an honor society, that has its roots really going back to the American Revolution, it's significant and very consistent with 51��'s traditions. It provides all these important connections for our graduates in addition to recognizing their significant academic achievement.”

The Lambda of 51�� Chapter of Phi Beta Kappa recently initiated nearly 50 new members on Friday, May 2, at Grover Center. These students met extensive academic requirements to qualify for membership. Honored students and their families attended the ceremony, as well as chapter members and alumni. OHIO College of Arts and Sciences Dean Matthew Ando was this year’s ceremony speaker.

Dean Matthew Ando speaks at the 2025 OHIO Phi Beta Kappa initiation ceremony. — Matthew Ando, a professor of mathematics, was named the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at 51�� in 2023.

“Phi Beta Kappa is one of the important informal stewards of liberal arts education in the United States,” said Ando. “Achieving membership in Phi Beta Kappa at 51�� is all the more meaningful because 51�� is one of the most compelling expressions of the public liberal arts research university, which in turn is one of America’s greatest inventions and most admired exports.”

51��’s chapter also participates in the intellectual life of the institution through electing individuals to Phi Beta Kappa membership, hosting annual lectures by recognized scholars and awarding the annual Thomas M. Wolfe Awards, an endowed award unique to the OHIO chapter that recognizes students with the highest grade point averages in the society with further honors, as well as a cash prize.

Requirements

Invitation to Phi Beta Kappa membership reflects outstanding academic achievement and shows a commitment to the liberal arts and sciences and to freedom of inquiry and expression. OHIO’s Phi Beta Kappa chapter is open to any student who meets the requirements, but due to the liberal arts focus, students from the College of Arts and Sciences and Honors Tutorial College comprise the majority of the society.

Phi Betta Kappa membership encompasses the following:

A minimum GPA of 3.65 for fourth-year students and 3.8 for third-year students
A minimum of 90 credit hours for fourth-year students and 80 credit hours for third-year students (credit hours must be taken for a letter grade)
Two semesters of foreign language at an intermediate level for Bachelor of Arts Students and one semester of foreign language at an intermediate level for Bachelor of Science Students
24 courses in humanities and social sciences with nine being at the 3000 level or above
Six hours of courses in natural sciences or math
Four semesters completed on the Athens campus
75% of coursework must be in the College of Arts and Sciences
Only up to 10% of graduates may be inducted into Phi Beta Kappa

CHSP Dean and PBK President John McCarthy shakes the hand of a student. — Lambda of Ohio Chapter President John McCarthy is also a professor of Communication Disorders and Dean of the College of Health Sciences and Professions.

A national network

Beyond recognition of the honorific, 51�� Phi Beta Kappa members also gain access to exclusive networking opportunities at the national level, including a national LinkedIn group, networking via the exchange of scholars and job recommendations through that network. OHIO Phi Beta Kappa alumni attest to the influence the society has had on themselves and their careers.

“Phi Beta Kappa has always represented more than academic achievement; it reflects a lifelong commitment to the liberal arts and to the pursuit of critical inquiry and ethical leadership,” said OHIO Phi Beta Kappa alumnus and Transformative Care Continuum Associate Lecturer Loren Anthes. “In my work in public policy, those values have been essential. Whether I’m navigating complex health systems or developing strategies to advance a more just health system, the foundation PBK instilled—a respect for evidence, reasoned debate, and civic responsibility—continues to guide me. Being part of PBK has also connected me to a broader community that believes in the public good, which is both inspiring and grounding in today’s policy environment.”

Phi Beta Kappa students stand at the 2025 initiation ceremony. — Election to the society is one of the highest honors undergraduate students can attain. It is universally acknowledged as a mark of scholastic distinction, viewed with great favor by graduate schools, professional schools and employers.

Lambda of 51�� Chapter President McCarthy is continuing to build the University’s chapter network to connect more OHIO Phi Beta Kappa alumni to those who were initiated more recently through platforms like LinkedIn. With many alumni members now being great leaders in various industries, McCarthy believes building these connections is a win for everyone.

“I’ve been able to connect with some really interesting and accomplished people and graduates,” he said. “I think we can really develop a nice network and it's yet another way to connect back with 51��. Many of the new initiates have joined the Phi Beta Kappa LinkedIn group so we can connect students with the OHIO Phi Beta Kappa network right away. It’s been great to see students post on LinkedIn about the initiation and to share photos with their certificates.”

An 51�� student is initiated into Phi Beta Kappa. — An 51�� student holds a Phi Beta Kappa certificate during 2025 initiation.

Another such OHIO Phi Beta Kappa alumnus McCarthy has been able to connect with is class of 1991 graduate Jason “JP” Snow.

“As an economics major in the Honors Tutorial College, my undergraduate studies were centered on business, math, and econometrics. The liberal arts breadth required by Phi Beta Kappa provided a vital counterbalance—shaping me into a more contextual and lateral thinker,” said Snow. “Looking back on a 30-year career in financial services, I credit that foundation not only with contributing to my professional success, but also with enriching my life in ways that continue being meaningful to me today.”

In addition to serving as the Lambda of 51�� Chapter President, McCarthy currently leads the College of Health Sciences and Professions (CHSP), serving as dean. Although CHSP is primarily focused on health professions and professional preparation, McCarthy says as a fellow Phi Beta Kappa member he values the knowledge foundation of liberal arts he received as an undergraduate music student.

“The breadth of background that I got in music, languages, sciences, and math have served me well throughout my career and regardless of degree I’m supportive of a breadth of coursework and understanding for people to see how they fit in our changing and complex interconnected world,” emphasized McCarthy.

McCarthy also thanked 51�� President Lori Stewart Gonzalez for her support of the Lambda of 51�� chapter.

“I’ve appreciated the support from the President’s Office too for Phi Beta Kappa and for our members as well,” said McCarthy. “The past several University presidents have been very supportive and I’m glad that President Gonzalez has continued that tradition.”