Just now figured out why there was a fourth greek alphabet - UC Berkeley's is the first (alpha) chapter in California. Initial initiates were literally tested for their proficiency in Greek and Latin. LOL
PBK is as old as the US, founded in 1776 for literary pursuit and philosophical debate. Only 10% of US colleges have PBK chapters and only 10% of those get "elected" into PBK. Apparently you are "elected," into the society, not selected.
Coolest of all - Started as a "secret society" - with secret symbols, secret hand gestures & all - How about that!
Caveat - only males initially in this secret society (all these secret societies seem to be very male oriented)
Good news - UC Berkeley chapter started in 1898, by which time students of all sexes allowed. No longer secret, I guess!!
The Invitation
I got an invitation to join the UC Berkeley Chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, a very prestigious academic honor society pbk.org & pbk.berkeley.edu
As the email invite said on Mar 5 state:
"It is my pleasure to inform you that based on your exceptional academic record in Letters & Science, you have been invited to join the Phi Beta Kappa chapter at the University of California, Berkeley.
Phi Beta Kappa is the premier academic honor society for L&S undergraduates, and its members include seven of the nine U.S. Supreme Court Justices as well as many UC Berkeley professors."
The virtual Initiation Ceremony held May 6, 2021, to induct the new members elected to Phi Beta Kappa, Chapter Alpha of California in 2021 and to honor the new members from 2020 as well as the 2020 and 2021 Graduate Fellowship recipients from PBKNCA and Alpha of California may now be viewed online at https://youtu.be/c3zLAeBcXPQ
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