One of the nation's oldest and most prestigious honor societies will make its home at Mercer, according to a letter from President Underwood.
This afternoon, during Phi Beta Kappa's 44th Triennial Council, delegates found that Mercer qualified to host the honor society on its campus.
This means that Mercer will join the 10 percent of high education institutions to host a Phi Beta Kappa chapter. Mercer is one of the three research institutions in Georgia to join the chapter — the two other universities are Emory University and the University of Georgia. Other Georgia institutions that have a Phi Beta Kappa chapter include Agnes Scott College, Morehouse College, and Spelman College.
The society "advocates excellence in the liberal arts and sciences," according to its website. The honor society also sponsors activities to advance the humanities, the social sciences, and the natural sciences in higher education and in society at large.
Since the societies founding in 1776, 17 U.S. presidents, 39 Supreme Court Justices and 130 Nobel Laureates have been inducted as members.
Mercer to host chapter of Phi Beta Kappa honor society
