PBK and the U of M

The University of Minnesota's chapter was established in November 1892 and is the first chapter to be founded in the state of Minnesota (Alpha of Minnesota). There are seven other chapters in the state: 

• Beta of Minnesota, Carleton College, 1914

• Gamma of Minnesota, St. Catherine University, 1937

• Delta of Minnesota, St. Olaf College, 1949

• Epsilon of Minnesota, Macalester College, 1968

• Zeta of Minnesota, Hamline University, 1973

• Eta of Minnesota, Gustavus Adolphus College, 1983

• Theta of Minnesota, College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University, 2009

Phi Beta Kappa chapters are the heart of the Society. Chapters induct new members every year, and those members are members for life. Currently, chapters exist at 296 institutions of higher learning throughout the United States. The number of chapters has grown continuously since the beginning of the Society in 1776, with the most recent chapters granted in 2024. Chapters are granted to the Phi Beta Kappa members among the faculty and administration of the sheltering institution.

Phi Beta Kappa sets high standards not only for the selection of students elected to membership but also for the institutions which may shelter a chapter. Chapters are so few, in part, because the formation of a new chapter requires that a certain fraction of a college's faculty themselves to be Phi Beta Kappa members, which in turn requires that those faculty members have pursued a course of study in the liberal arts or sciences in one of the limited number of colleges and universities that host chapters, in addition to meeting the high PBK standards of scholarship. 

The charter for the University of Minnesota chapter of Phi Beta Kappa is granted by the Phi Beta Kappa Society. The University of Minnesota provides access to student data for the faculty and staff on the PBK membership committee so that the chapter can identify candidates for election to membership.  The Office of Undergraduate Education is an enthusiastic supporter of the chapter for the recognition that it gives to our best students in the liberal arts and sciences.