The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi will install its 340th chapter at Saint Mary's College of California today, January 25. Founded in 1897 at the University of Maine, Phi Kappa Phi is the nation’s oldest and most selective all-discipline collegiate honor society.

The installation of the Saint Mary’s chapter comes after a thorough chartering process and approval from the Society’s board of directors. To be eligible, an institution must be a regionally accredited four-year college or university with an established reputation of excellence and an expressed commitment to upholding the values of the Society.

“Phi Kappa Phi is pleased to welcome Saint Mary’s College of California to its growing community of scholars,” said Society Executive Director Dr. Mary Todd. “Saint Mary’s commitment to providing a transformative student experience that is both challenging and inclusive reflects the college’s longstanding culture of excellence.”

Officers elected by the chartering group to serve the newly installed chapter include President Richard Lemberg, President-elect Jim Sauerberg, Secretary Emily Hause, Treasurer David W. Bird and Public Relations Officer Michael K. McKeon.

Phi Kappa Phi was founded in 1897 under the leadership of Marcus L. Urann who had a desire to create a different kind of honor society—one that recognized excellence in all academic disciplines. Today, the Society has chapters on more than 300 campuses in the United States and the Philippines and inducts approximately 30,000 new members each year. Membership is by invitation only to the top 7.5 percent of juniors and the top 10 percent of seniors and graduate students, along with faculty, professional staff and alumni who have achieved scholarly distinction.