University of Rochester to induct 127 students into Phi Beta Kappa

They’ll join 20 seniors who were inducted into the honor society as juniors.

The University of Rochester’s 2021 inductees into the Phi Beta Kappa honor society include 109 seniors and 18 juniors. They’ll join 20 other Rochester students who were elected as juniors last spring.

An initiation ceremony will be held on Wednesday, May 19 in Strong Auditorium on the River Campus. The ceremony also will be livestreamed for students and families who are unable to be on campus.

Founded in 1776, Phi Beta Kappa is the nation’s oldest academic honor society. Membership is by invitation only, and students are selected by faculty members who are also members of the society.

The University’s Phi Beta Kappa chapter, Iota of New York, was founded in 1887. Members are chosen based on exceptional academic performance and a letter of recommendation from a faculty or staff member. New members are elected each spring by members of the Iota chapter at the recommendation of the nominating committee.

Particularly strong candidates are elected as juniors, the rest as seniors.

Here are the Phi Beta Kappa members.

*=elected last year as a junior