Press Release

May 12, 2020 | By Cole Hatcher

Ohio Wesleyan held a virtual celebration May 8 for its 2020 inductees into Phi Beta Kappa – the nation’s oldest academic honor society. Only 10 percent of all U.S. colleges and universities have chapters of the prestigious honor society. (Photo by Paul Vernon)

2020 Phi Beta Kappa Induction

Ohio Wesleyan Students Invited to Join Nation’s Oldest Academic Honor Society

DELAWARE, Ohio – Ohio Wesleyan University inducted new members into its Eta Chapter of the Phi Beta Kappa National Academic Honor Society during a virtual ceremony May 8.

The new inductees join a historic organization that counts 17 U.S. presidents, 41 Supreme Court justices, and more than 140 Nobel laureates among its members. Ohio Wesleyan’s 2020 Phi Beta Kappa members include:

  • Sophia Ahmed
  • Jenell Betts
  • Joseph Brush
  • Julia Caple
  • Duncan Copeland
  • Landry Cowles
  • Juliana Freisen
  • Jamie Grant
  • Ahmed Hamed
  • Jax Harville
  • Amanda Hays
  • John Keller
  • Claudia Kelly
  • Caroline Kermode
  • Lauren Mangold
  • Maddie Meyer
  • Sam Miller
  • Michaela Rice
  • Kennedy Sattler
  • Megan Sievers
  • Allie Smith
  • Brianna Sten
  • Reilly Wright

Nationwide, only 10 percent of all U.S. colleges and universities have Phi Beta Kappa chapters, and each of these 290 chapters selects only 10 percent of their graduates annually to join through a highly selective, merit-based invitation process.

Based in Washington, D.C., Phi Beta Kappa was founded in 1776, and its name originated from the motto “Love of learning is the guide of life.” Ohio Wesleyan’s Eta Chapter was founded in 1907.

The honor society’s mission is to champion education in the liberal arts and sciences, to recognize academic excellence, and to foster freedom of thought and expression. Learn more about Phi Beta Kappa at www.pbk.org.

Learn more about Ohio Wesleyan’s Honors Program at www.owu.edu/honors and its Phi Beta Kappa chapter at www.owu.edu/pbk.


Founded in 1842, Ohio Wesleyan University is one of the nation’s premier liberal arts universities. Located in Delaware, Ohio, the private university offers more than 90 undergraduate majors and competes in 25 NCAA Division III varsity sports. Through Ohio Wesleyan’s signature OWU Connection program, students integrate knowledge across disciplines, build a diverse and global perspective, and apply their knowledge in real-world settings. Ohio Wesleyan is featured in the book “Colleges That Change Lives” and included in the U.S. News & World Report and Princeton Review “best colleges” lists. Learn more at www.owu.edu.