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.
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
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Hosts regular events (such as monthly Book Club meetings) and programming to engage our members
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Provides Professional Development, Mentorship, and Networking opportunities for members
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Welcomes new inductees, encourages their involvement in our association, and facilitates specific programming to fit their needs
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Supports a Scholarship Fund for students that graduate from NYC community colleges and are accepted into liberal arts colleges
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Sponsors an annual Holiday Toy Drive
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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.
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
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.
History
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.”
2020-2021 Officers
2020 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.
On Wednesday, October 21st, 2020 the 2020-2021 Board of Directors was approved at our Annual meeting.
2020 - 2021 Board of Directors
President
Neil St. Clair, Boston University 2008
Vice-President
Jasmine Neal, Florida International University, 2017
Secretary
Alexandra "Lexie" Kapilian, Columbia College, 2020
Treasurer
Gioia Kennedy, Rutgers University - New Brunswick, 2015
Young Professionals Chair
Jessica Levy, University at Buffalo, 2015
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
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
Immediate Past President
Jacques Ohayon, State University of New York at Stony Brook, 1975
THE NATION'S MOST PRESTIGIOUS ACADEMIC HONOR SOCIETY
Since our founding in 1776, Phi Beta Kappa has celebrated excellence in the liberal arts and sciences and championed freedom of thought. As America’s most prestigious academic honor society, we are uniquely equipped to advocate for the value and benefits of liberal arts and sciences education. We do this because we believe the curiosity and creativity cultivated by a liberal arts and sciences education are essential to making the most of life’s experiences. At Phi Beta Kappa, we are the key that opens doors to lifelong opportunity.
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Chapters at 290 colleges and universities in the United States
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Nearly 50 alumni associations
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More than half a million members worldwide
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Noteworthy members include:
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17 U.S. presidents
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39 Justices of the Supreme Court of the United States
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Over 130 Nobel Laureates
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For more information, visit www.pbk.org