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Phi Beta Kappa Mu of Virginia Chapter

About

Phi Beta Kappa was founded in 1776 at the College of William and Mary. It is the oldest Greek Letter fraternity in America. At the time, members engaged in debating and literary pursuits. Later, the society was established at Harvard and Yale, and in 1875 the first women were admitted.

Membership over the years has included giants in American history such as John Marshall, Helen Keller, Eli Whitney, Booker T. Washington, and the best and the brightest from politics, law, business, science, entertainment, publishing, and education, including Isaac Asimov, Leonard Bernstein, Jonas Salk, Gloria Steinem, and 15 presidents.

Virginia Tech was granted a charter for a Phi Beta Kappa chapter on May 8, 1977. The founding president of our chapter was the late Professor Albert Sturm, research professor of political science. We are called the Mu of Virginia Chapter. Mu is the 12th letter of the Greek alphabet, as we are the 12th university or college in the state of Virginia to receive a charter.

Officers

PositionNameEmail
PresidentNancy Metznancy.metz@vt.edu
Past-PresidentMarcy Schnitzermhs@vt.edu
Vice PresidentVirginia Fowlervfowler@vt.edu
SecretaryDan Thorpwachau@vt.edu
TreasurerLeisa Osborneleisao@vt.edu
HistorianSandy Birchbirch@vt.edu
Co-HistorianAndrew Beckerabecker@vt.edu

Requirements for Eligibility:

  • Minimum QCA requirements
  • Liberal arts hours requirements
  • Minimum hour requirement at Virginia Tech
  • Number of undergraduates elected as juniors and seniors may not exceed ten percent of the seniors expected to graduate, a maximum of one-fifth of these may be elected as juniors

Fees:

Initiation fee: $70 (initiates may purchase a key separately)

Dues for Mu Chapter members: $25 ($10 for students and retirees)

Initiation:

When:

  • Fall – Electees graduating in December receive an invitation from the society in November
  • Spring – Invitations issued in late March

Average number of inductees per year: 110