Phi Beta Kappa to Induct Eleven Chemistry Seniors
Founded in 1776, Phi Beta Kappa is the nation’s oldest academic honor society.
The Xi Chapter of Phi Beta Kappa voted to invite a distinguished cohort from the Class of 2023 to membership in the Society in recognition of their excellent academic records and commitment to the objectives of a liberal education. This achievement is bestowed upon fewer than 10% of the class. Eleven members of the esteemed group who have received this notable achievement are graduating Chemistry majors:
- Gabriella Aponte
Chemistry - Vinicius Armelin
Chemistry and Biological Engineering - Gabriel Caamano
Chemistry - Pedro Colon
Chemistry - RuiYang Guo
Chemistry - Chanseo Lee
Chemistry - Sophia Mirda
Chemistry - Anton Morgunov
Chemistry - Anton Ni
Chemistry and Mathematics - Jupneet Singh
Chemistry - Westley Wu
Chemistry and Mathematics
Founded in 1776 at the College of William and Mary, Phi Beta Kappa (PBK) honors the nation’s most outstanding undergraduate students for excellence in the liberal arts and sciences. Only 10% of higher education institutions have PBK chapters, and fewer than 10% of students at these institutions are selected for membership. The Department is incredibly proud of these inductees and all of their illustrious achievements.
MIT’s own chapter, Xi of Massachusetts, annually elects students in their senior year of undergraduate study. Students do not apply for membership. Election is conducted by a faculty committee, which reviews the academic records of seniors to find students with superlative records and clear evidence of breadth in the liberal arts.
In early June each year, on the afternoon before MIT’s annual Commencement exercises, our Phi Beta Kappa chapter holds an induction ceremony to honor our newest members in front of their family and friends. The President, Historian, and Guide of our chapter, all MIT Faculty members, preside over this event, which begins with a scholarly lecture by an MIT professor on a topic of broad intellectual interest. Recent speakers have discussed reform of the voting system in the United States, and the size and nature of the physical universe.
After the lecture, the Historian and Guide provide a brief introduction to the rights and responsibilities of Phi Beta Kappa members. The newest inductees are then individually recognized and asked to sign the official register of the Xi of Massachusetts chapter. They are also taught the Phi Beta Kappa secret handshake, but strict Society regulations prohibit us from revealing its characteristics here!
