Phi Beta Kappa Visit - University of Houston
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Phi Beta Kappa Visit

February 17, 2014

Dear UH Faculty and Staff,

I trust that your semester is going well despite the recent winter storms. I know we are all looking forward to spring and warmer days. We are especially hoping for nice weather for some important campus visitors, representatives of the Phi Beta Kappa Society, who will be on campus Wednesday through Friday (Feb. 19-21).

As you may know, the Phi Beta Kappa Society was founded in 1776, and since that time it has been synonymous with undergraduate excellence. The PBK golden key is a mark of distinction for individuals and institutions alike.

The transformation of UH into a Tier One university puts student success and undergraduate excellence front and center. The quality of our undergraduate programs, especially in the core arts and sciences, is an indispensable component of our progress, and a vibrant Phi Beta Kappa chapter here would promote activities to enhance student success and highlight our commitment to undergraduate excellence.

Many of you will be meeting with the Phi Beta Kappa representatives, five distinguished teachers and scholars from across the nation. The purpose of their visit is to assess the readiness of UH to be approved for a Phi Beta Kappa chapter. They will examine, among other aspects of the University, our academic programs, co-curricular opportunities, student engagement, residential life and undergraduate research.

Phi Beta Kappa champions freedom of inquiry, liberty of thought and expression, and respect for the basic tenets of scientific inquiry and creative endeavor, principles that are fundamental to a democratic society and our individual well-being. These are our University’s core values as well.

I know those of you meeting with our distinguished visitors will tell our story with such passion and conviction that they will see first-hand that the University of Houston stands for undergraduate excellence and is home to students who are among the best in the nation – a place worthy of hosting a Phi Beta Kappa chapter.

I ask you to join me in supporting the efforts of our Phi Beta Kappa faculty to bring a chapter to our University. When our chapter is awarded, as we hope it will be when the process concludes next year, it will be an important signal of our ongoing commitment to the success of our students.

With warm regards,

Renu Khator