About the Phi Beta Kappa New York Association

PBKNY is a local alumni association for elected Phi Beta Kappa members that live in the New York City metropolitan area. We report to but are distinguished from The Phi Beta Kappa Society national office, which advocates for the arts and sciences and, through its 290 chapters, inducts students excelling in a liberal arts education.

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The New York Association:

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• Actively promotes PBK principles and consistently strives to realize the mission of celebrating and advocating excellence in the liberal arts and sciences

• Hosts regular events (such as monthly Book Club meetings) and programming to engage our members

• Provides Professional Development, Mentorship, and Networking opportunities for members

• Welcomes new inductees, encourages their involvement in our association, and facilitates specific programming to fit their needs

• Supports a Scholarship Fund for students that graduate from NYC community colleges and are accepted into liberal arts colleges

• Sponsors an annual Holiday Toy Drive

• Cultivates relationships with area PBK chapters

Membership

The New York Association is always growing and evolving. Our members cover a wide range of backgrounds and professions; all of us are interested in advancing Phi Beta Kappa’s ideals of recognizing student excellence, advocating for the arts and sciences in our community, fostering friendship, and furthering our own love of learning.

History

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The Phi Beta Kappa New York Association (PBKNY), the first and oldest PBK Association, was founded in 1877 by Elihu Root as “a means of encouraging scholarship and culture outside of college walls.”

Mission

Driven by intellectual curiosity for nearly 150 years as the oldest chapter of the Phi Beta Kappa Society, the New York Association is an active advocate for the liberal arts and sciences. Today, we are as dedicated to fostering a rich community of members who are bonded through their love of learning, as we were when we were founded in 1877.

 Vision

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The Phi Beta Kappa New York Association provides opportunities for its members to expand their networks and build meaningful relationships within a diverse group of people connected by their academic excellence and the key values of the Phi Beta Kappa Society. In the New York Association, members living in and around New York City can find a place to exchange ideas, friendship and generosity while giving back to the New York community at-large.

Officers

Board Elections

Each fall, PBKNY hosts an Annual Meeting to approve a slate of Board members. All members are welcome and encouraged to attend.  The slate is selected by a Nominating Committee, led by the Nominating Committee Chair.

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On Wednesday, October 21st, 2020 the 2020-2021 Board of Directors was approved at our Annual meeting. 

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2020 - 2021 Board of Directors

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President

Neil St. Clair, Boston University 2008

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Vice-President

Jasmine Neal, Florida International University, 2017

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Secretary

Alexandra "Lexie" Kapilian, Columbia College, 2020

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Treasurer

Gioia Kennedy, Rutgers University - New Brunswick, 2015

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Young Professionals Chair

Jessica Levy, University at Buffalo, 2015

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Two Year Voting Councillor

Farah Ansari, Rutgers University, 1998

Tony Maciulis (Anthony K. Maciulis), Columbia University, 1998

Jennifer Riekert, University at Albany, 1997

Amit M. Shelat, New York University, 1996

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One Year Voting Councillor

Dennis Dias, University of California at Riverside, 2008

Nikki Hess, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor, 2014

Chloe Karp, University of Pennsylvania, 2018

Maria Plummer, Vassar College, 1986

Leslie Verter, Queens College, 1963

Tom Wang, Dickinson College, 2014

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Immediate Past President

Jacques Ohayon, State University of New York at Stony Brook, 1975

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