Phi Beta Kappa was founded in 1776 as a debating society. Our motto, Φιλοσοφία Βίου Κυβερνήτης, means literally (in modern Greek) “The love of wisdom is the governor of life” (note for fans of Star Trek and the Odyssey: the word Κυβερνήτης originally meant “helmsman”). In his 1837 address to Phi Beta Kappa, Ralph Waldo Emerson urged the members of Phi Beta Kappa to use their wisdom to benefit their country: “the scholar is the delegated intellect… Him the past instructs. Him the future invites… A nation of men will for the first time exist, because each believes himself inspired by the Divine Soul which also inspires all men.”
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Induction of New Keyholders, May 10, 2024
This photo gallery shows each student’s name being read by Councilor Stefan Djordjevic, then learning the Phi Beta Kappa handshake from President Joseph Hinchliffe, and being given a certificate frame by Vice President Mark Hasegawa-Johnson.
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Elitism, Artificial Intelligence, and Rawls’ Theory of Justice
On May 10, 2024, at the Induction Program for new members of Phi Beta Kappa at the University of Illinois, Chapter Vice President Mark Hasegawa-Johnson gave the following address to new members. In my day job, I teach artificial intelligence. … Continue reading →
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Welcome New 2024 Members of Phi Beta Kappa!
Please join the members of Phi Beta Kappa at the University of Illinois in welcoming their new members:
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Induction of New Keyholders, May 10, 2024
We look forward to inviting all new and old keyholders and their families to join us at the Phi Beta Kappa Initiation Ceremony and Reception held Commencement Weekend (Friday, May 10, 2024 in the Knight Auditorium of Spurlock Museum at … Continue reading →
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Welcome New 2023 Keyholders!
Please join us in welcoming the new members of Phi Beta Kappa, inducted on May 12, 2023 at Spurlock Museum:
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Induction of new members of Phi Beta Kappa
We look forward to inviting all new and old keyholders and their families to join us at the Phi Beta Kappa Initiation Ceremony and Reception held Commencement Weekend (Friday, May 12, 2023 in the Knight Auditorium of Spurlock Museum at … Continue reading →
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Welcome to new Keyholders, Spring 2022
Regular Members of Phi Beta Kappa University of Illinois welcomed 65 new keyholders on May 13, 2022.
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Induction of new keyholders, Friday May 13, 2022
We look forward to inviting all new and old keyholders and their families to join us at the Phi Beta Kappa Initiation Ceremony and Reception held Commencement Weekend (Friday, May 13, 2022 in the Knight Auditorium of Spurlock Museum at … Continue reading →
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Welcome New Keyholders, Spring 2021!
The regular members of Phi Beta Kappa at the University of Illinois welcomed the following 61 new keyholders in a welcome ceremony at the Spurlock Museum. Ashley Elizabeth Akrami, Molecular and Cellular Biology; Jeremy Bao, Statistics and Computer Science; Tyeese … Continue reading →
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Welcome new Keyholders, 2020!
Please join us in welcoming 61 new members of Phi Beta Kappa!