Phi Beta Delta

phibetadelta

Honor Society for International Students

Eta Kappa Chapter, University of Michigan-Flint

Phi Beta Delta, founded at California State University, Long Beach in 1986, was established as an organization in 1987 with 38 chartered chapters, many of which had existed for a considerable time previously at the local level. It is the first honor society dedicated to recognizing scholarly achievement in international education. As of today, 182 chapters have been chartered worldwide.

Phi Beta Delta traces its background to the eighteenth-century founding of Phi Beta Kappa. In the nineteenth century, Greek fraternities divided into the social, professional, and academic Greeks. Phi Beta Delta is an academic and professional society, unique because it is resolutely interdisciplinary and international. Its formal organization brought together numerous pre-existing or internally oriented campus groups.

Goals of the Society

To recognize the scholarly achievement of international students and scholars, who have studied abroad and faculty and staff who are involved in international activities;
To serve as a vehicle for the development of academic-based international programming;
To provide a network on each campus of faculty, staff and students involved in international endeavors; and
To extend this network to thousands of members in chapters throughout the world.

Symbols of the Society

The Greek letters in Phi Beta Delta stand for the following:

Phi (philomatheia) - love of knowledge;
Beta (biotremmonia) - valuing of human life; and
Delta (diapheren) - achieving excellence.

The colors chosen for the honor society are red and gold. Red symbolizes the strength and diversity of humankind and gold is a symbol for the sun from which all people and cultures draw strength and life. The Crest of the Society was designed with a globe, a torch, the sun, a book, and a shield. The globe represents the international perspective of the Society's members. The torch symbolizes the leadership and influence of the Society. The sun stands for the energy from which all cultures draw strength. The book symbolizes the coining and sharing of knowledge. The shield represents the preservation of academic freedom. The Society's motto -- "Scientia Mutua Mundi” (World's Shared Knowledge) -- is inscribed at the base of the crest.

Membership Criteria

For Students

3.2 GPA for undergraduates; 3.5 GPA for graduate students.
Must be a junior or higher in standing (at least 55 credits).
Must have demonstrated a vested interest in internationalization efforts through the pursuit of academic studies abroad, exchange programs, or through extensive participation in international program of an academic nature.

For Faculty/Staff

Must have demonstrated a vested interest and involvement in international scholarly endeavors (i.e., teaching, research, service or program development).