This month, 15 members of the class of 2020 were elected to join the Hamilton College chapter of Phi Beta Kappa. The students selected were Sara Carle, Kailey Carlson, Cameron DiGiovanni, Eric Fischer, Charlotte Freed, Theodore Golden, Taomi Kenny, Lantz Kilburn, Matthew Kraemer, Julianna Larson, Alexandra Stetter, Sarah Swinson, Stephen Wisser, Sarah Young and Francis Zuroski.

Founded in 1776, Phi Beta Kappa is the oldest academic honor society in the United States. It has earned a reputation as the most prestigious honor society in the country due to its extensive history and high degree of selectivity. It seeks to “promote and advocate excellence in the liberal arts and sciences, and to induct the most outstanding students of arts and sciences at American colleges and universities.”

Students are selected for Phi Beta Kappa in their senior year on the basis of academic excellence and outstanding achievement in the liberal arts.

While reviewing the academic records of each candidate, evaluators consider not only their success but also the breadth of their studies and their adherence to the academic goals of the college.

Students are recognized as having a broad enough field of study for membership when they have completed at least one course in five of the following areas of focus: arts, mathematics/computer science, sciences, social sciences, languages and humanities.

In addition, members must have completed two courses — including one at or above the 200 level — in three of the categories to be eligible. Further requirements include completion of at least six semesters of coursework with Hamilton faculty and “good moral character”.

The Hamilton chapter of Phi Beta Kappa was established in 1869. Faculty members and administrators who are members of Phi Beta Kappa select an average of 10% of each graduating class for this prestigious honor.