Psychology undergrads invited to join Phi Beta Kappa
The following undergraduates from the Department of Psychology have been selected as members in-course to receive an invitation to join Phi Beta Kappa:
Phi Beta Kappa is the nation's oldest academic honor society (founded December 5, 1776); it celebrates and advocates excellence in the liberal arts and sciences. It is a highly selective honor: Only 10 percent of universities are awarded a Phi Beta Kappa chapter and no school may elect more than 10 percent of a graduating class. About one college senior out of 100 nationwide will be invited to join Phi Beta Kappa each year.
The honor of becoming a member in-course reflects the students' considerable dedication and accomplishments and also those of the educational environment that facilitated the students' development.
The WSU Chapter will pay the national initiation fee for the students. Students at WSU are often unfamiliar with the honor and have trouble distinguishing the invitation from countless others extended by for-profit societies and other less selective honor societies; additionally, the $75-lifetime registration fee is cost-prohibitive for many of our students.
Of note, since the Gamma chapter of WSU began to cover the registration costs, the response rate from students invited to join Phi Beta Kappa rose from less than 50 to 90 percent. Offering to pay for the honor highlights to these students that membership in Phi Beta Kappa is uniquely valued by WSU.
Later, of course, they learn about the selectivity of this honor and that membership in Phi Beta Kappa yields substantial lifetime benefit to one's vita.