深夜看片

深夜看片

Judy Genshaft Honors College

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Honors student Nora Wolfgang, Dr. Matt King, and Honors advisor Megan Braunstein, and Requena smile in the Honors Atrium

USF鈥檚 Phi Beta Kappa Chapter Continues to Thrive

Phi Beta Kappa (PBK), America鈥檚 oldest and most prestigious honor society for the liberal arts and sciences, represents the nation鈥檚 top academic achievers. Founded in 1776 at the College of William & Mary, PBK has over 290 chapters at leading U.S. universities and counts among its members Presidents Dwight D. Eisenhower and Franklin D. Roosevelt, playwright Suzan-Lori Parks, and actor Kerry Washington.

Yet, it wasn鈥檛 until 2018 that the 深夜看片 was selected to house a PBK chapter. Chosen in only the university鈥檚 62nd year, the granting of USF鈥檚 chapter served as recognition of the university's educational rigor, faculty excellence, institutional dedication to liberal education, and trajectory as a preeminent state university and eventual member of the Association of American Universities.

鈥淚nstalling our Phi Beta Kappa chapter was a historic moment for the University of South Florida,鈥 said Charles Adams, Judy Genshaft Honors College dean and president of the Eta of Florida chapter. 鈥淪heltering the chapter confirms our standing as a premier national university and highlights the quality of our academic culture.鈥

The society鈥檚 Greek motto, translated as 鈥渢he love of learning is the guide of life,鈥 underscores the intellectual curiosity demonstrated by members nationwide and at USF, where the chapter has grown steadily since its inception.

A GROWING LEGACY

PBK 2024 inductee poses with President Rhea Law, Dean Adams, and President Emerita Judy Genshaft outside Honors Building

Membership in Phi Beta Kappa is by invitation only, extended to students who demonstrate upstanding character and academic excellence in the liberal arts. To be considered for membership, undergraduate students must complete at least four semesters of a foreign language and pursue a broad range of liberal arts coursework beyond their major, among other criteria.

Last year, the USF chapter inducted 45 new members during a ceremony that included a history of the society by Matthew King, associate professor of history, and congratulatory remarks from USF President Rhea Law and President Emerita Judy Genshaft.

Honors College advisor and Eta of Florida Secretary Megan Braunstein aspired to join Phi Beta Kappa during her undergraduate years and can remember the sense of validation that being selected for membership instilled in her. 鈥淏eing tapped for Phi Beta Kappa meant that not only was I a well-rounded student, but also a high achiever academically,鈥 said Braunstein.
 
For students aspiring to join PBK, both Braunstein and King advise students to start thinking about Phi Beta Kappa early to ensure they have time to take classes outside their major requirements.
 
鈥淚f it鈥檚 possible, slow down and consider the other classes and fields that you鈥檙e not going to major in but could enrich your understanding of the world,鈥 said King.

Nora Wolfgang, a biomedical anthropology and criminology major on a pre-med track and spring 2024 PBK inductee, encouraged students not to be deterred by the thought of additional coursework or the language requirement.

鈥淭he most important thing for me was taking classes that I genuinely enjoy and not just checking off a box on my degree,鈥 Wolfgang said. 鈥淢ake sure the love of learning motivates your academic decisions, rather than just getting your degree complete.鈥

LIFELONG LEARNING, LIFELONG BENEFITS

Braunstein and Wolfgang discuss PBK in the Honors Podcast room

Braunstein values how PBK membership connects her with like-minded individuals at chapter events and society gatherings, such as.

鈥淚t鈥檚 rewarding to be surrounded by people who share my love of learning and passion for education,鈥 she said.

Membership also provides lasting professional advantages. Braunstein noted its impact on her graduate school applications, while King highlighted how it signals a commitment to lifelong learning to potential employers.

For Wolfgang, meeting fellow inductees at the PBK ceremony has been a highlight.

鈥淚'm definitely the type where, if I'm committing to something, I want to be among the best at it. And in order to do that, you have to surround yourself with the best people,鈥 she said. 鈥淧hi Beta Kappa is definitely the way to do that.鈥

One of Braunstein鈥檚 favorite moments each year is the induction ceremony鈥檚 unique traditions.

鈥淭hey cross the stage and do the special secret handshake with Dean Adams,鈥 she said. 鈥淚t always warms my heart. It鈥檚 a wonderful crystallization of all the hard work and dedication students have put into becoming truly well-rounded scholars.鈥

When asked what their hopes for the future of the chapter, Wolfgang said she intends to 鈥済et involved in the community and network鈥 in order to get the most out of her time in PBK.

For her part, Braunstein hopes to create more interconnected network with events for the student member body beyond the annual induction ceremony.

鈥淚 hope in the future we can build a stronger community with PBK,鈥 said Braunstein. 

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Committed to intellectual curiosity, global citizenship, and service across three unique Tampa Bay campuses, Honors News shares the exceptional stories of the Judy Genshaft Honors College.