Phi Beta Kappa is the nation's oldest and most prestigious academic honor society, founded in 1776 at the College of William and Mary. The name comes from the Greek initials of the society's motto, Φιλοσοφiα Βiου Κυβερνητης (Philosophía Bíou Kubernétes) "The love of learning (or wisdom) is the guide of life."

Phi Beta Kappa today maintains 276 chapters on college and university campuses and consists of over a half-million living members. Less than 10% of undergraduate arts and science students can be elected to membership.

Mary Washington’s Kappa (the tenth chapter) of Virginia was chartered in March 1971, after a rigorous application process, and every spring inducts juniors and seniors of UMW with the most outstanding academic records.