The University of California, Irvine (UCI) is excited to announce that the UCI chapter of Phi Beta Kappa received the Outstanding Public University Chapters award from the Phi Beta Kappa Society at their 46th National Triennial Council meeting. Held every three years, this year’s event took place August 3rd-6th and drew Phi Beta Kappa executives, senators, and chapter and association representatives.
The UCI Phi Beta Kappa chapter was recognized in front of hundreds of faculty and college administrators by Calvin Van Niewaal, Chair of Phi Beta Kappa’s Committee on Chapters. Recipients of Outstanding Chapter Awards demonstrate extraordinary accomplishment in key areas like student outreach and chapter visibility. UCI’s chapter received this honor for its success with first-generation students as well as its high acceptance rates among students offered membership. This prestigious award included a $500 contribution to support the UCI chapter’s ongoing work.
“We are so pleased to shine a light on these deserving chapters that consistently went above and beyond to strengthen the liberal arts at their institutions and share the Phi Beta Kappa experience with new students each year,” said Phi Beta Kappa Society Secretary and CEO Fred Lawrence. “We are grateful for their stellar and steady commitment over the last three years.”
To share UCI’s success, Chapter President and Distinguished Professor of Physics and Astronomy Jonathan Feng was invited to speak at another panel during the event. During his panel, Feng shared how the UCI Phi Beta Kappa chapter structured its selection processes and consequently became a shining example for others to follow.
Speaking on UCI’s recognition, Chapter President Jonathan Feng said,
“We are proud to be honored as an Outstanding Public University Chapter and have the opportunity to share our strategies with other chapters. At the end of the day, our focus is to recognize outstanding students and offer them opportunities to further their success. It was a great privilege to share insights that help other universities carry out these goals and learn from them as well.“
Michael Dennin, Vice Provost for Teaching and Learning and Dean of Undergraduate Education, also shared his excitement:
“I’m thrilled to see our Phi Beta Kappa chapter being honored at such a prestigious event. The Phi Beta Kappa team works incredibly hard to empower and support students, and I’m happy to see that their efforts are being recognized and celebrated on such a public stage.”
About UCI Phi Beta Kappa
The Phi Beta Kappa Society celebrates and advocates excellence in the liberal arts and sciences. Founded in 1776, it is the nation’s oldest and most prestigious national honors society. Only the most outstanding undergraduates at America’s leading colleges and universities who meet the Society’s rigorous and comprehensive standards are elected to membership each year. It is arguably the highest academic honor that undergraduate students can achieve.
UCI’s Phi Beta Kappa chapter was established in 1974. At UCI, only 5% of graduating seniors and 1% of third-year juniors are invited to join Phi Beta Kappa each year, making it more selective than Latin Honors. Only those students who meet the rigorous academic standards set by the chapter are invited to join. Membership to Phi Beta Kappa provides a competitive edge in the marketplace and is a noteworthy addition to any student’s resume.
For more information on the Phi Beta Kappa Society, visit their website here. For more information on UCI’s Phi Beta Kappa chapter, click here.
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