Phi Beta Kappa. Zeta of North Carolina Chapter.

The North Carolina State University Phi Beta Kappa Committee was created in 1977 at North Carolina State University to apply for a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa. Phi Beta Kappa is the nation’s oldest and best known society for recognition of academic excellence and scholarly achievement.

The North Carolina State University Phi Beta Kappa committee chairman was Robert S. Bryan and the committee members were heads of selected departments. The committee was active through at least 1994, but may have dissolved shortly thereafter.

From the guide to the North Carolina State University, Committees, Phi Beta Kappa Committee Records, 1977-1994, (Special Collections Research Center)

The Zeta of North Carolina Chapter of Phi Beta Kappa was founded at North Carolina State University on April 17, 1995 reflecting a tremendous achievement for the University. The organization encourages acquisition of knowledge and the cultivation of understanding, support for intellectual honesty and tolerance, and the development of intellectual interests. The Zeta of North Carolina Chapter remained active as of 2010.

Phi Beta Kappa was founded in 1776 at the College of William and Mary in Virginia. As the first Greek-letter organization, it established a number of important traditions for such societies. The original society granted charters at Yale and Harvard before its demise four years later when the college was closed due to the approach of the British army. The Yale and Harvard chapters preserved the hallmarks of the society and more chapters were gradually added at other colleges and universities. In 1883, the National Council of the United Chapters of Phi Beta Kappa was created and in 1988, the official name of the organization was changed to The Society of Phi Beta Kappa.

From the guide to the North Carolina State University, Student and Other Organizations, Phi Beta Kappa, Zeta of North Carolina Chapter Records, 1976-2013, (Special Collections Research Center)