WHERE KNOWLEDGE INSPIRES ACTION

December 05, 2026

Find an Event Near You

Connect with your local campus chapter or regional alumni association to discover what's happening in your area. Learn how you can get involved with Phi Beta Kappa during our anniversary and beyond.

September 29, 2026

250th Celebration in Chicago

As part of a nationwide series of events, we invite you to join us for our next event in Chicago for an exchange of ideas, dialogue, and meaningful connection

Knowledge Starts Here

Discover the value of the arts & sciences.

Knowledge Drives Action

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Knowledge Builds Champions

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• Ellen Ochoa

  Ellen Ochoa

  NASA Astronaut, San Diego State University

  Ellen Ochoa is a former astronaut and former director of the Johnson Space Center. In 1993, she became the first Hispanic woman to go to space aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery. From 2018 to 2020, she served as vice chair of the National Science Board. A trained classical flutist, Ochoa brought her instrument aboard her first space mission, a nod to her love of music.

  "Don't be afraid to reach for the stars... I believe a good education can take you anywhere on Earth and beyond."

• Amanda Gorman

  Amanda Gorman

  Poet and Activist, Harvard University

  Amanda Gorman is a poet and activist. In 2017, Gorman became the first National Youth Poet Laureate. She recited her poem, “The Hill We Climb,” at former President Joe Biden’s inauguration, which was widely celebrated. She has published several critically acclaimed poetry books and is a steadfast advocate for issues pertaining to race, women’s rights, and free speech.

  "Poetry has never been the language of barriers, it's always been the language of bridges."

• Peyton Manning

  Peyton Manning

  NFL Player and TV Host, University of Tennessee

  Peyton Manning is a former National Football League player, often considered one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time. Manning is a two-time Super Bowl champion, winning the league with both the Indianapolis Colts and the Denver Broncos. In 2021, he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Outside of football, Manning launched the Peyback Foundation to support children from underrepresented communities.

  "I do know one thing about me: I don't measure myself by others' expectations or let others define my worth."

• Francis Ford Coppola

  Francis Ford Coppola

  Movie Producer and Director, Hofstra University

  Francis Ford Coppola is regarded as one of the most influential filmmakers in history and a leading figure of the New Hollywood era. Coppola is best known for directing The Godfather. In 1997, he co-founded the literary magazine Zoetrope: All-Story, which publishes fiction by emerging writers and notable figures. Over his career, Coppola has received many awards, including five Academy Awards, a BAFTA, and two Palmes d’Or.

  "You see the transformation that the arts have on young people. It changes their lives for the better. That's where my engagement is."