Phi Beta Delta

Honor Society for International Scholars

Phi Beta Delta (ΦΒΔ), founded at California State University, Long Beach in 1986, is the first honor society dedicated to recognizing scholarly achievement in international education.

Phi (philomatheia): love of knowledge | Beta (biotremmonia): valuing of human | Delta (diapheren): achieving excellence

Benefits of Membership

Publicly recognizes the scholarly achievement of international students and scholars who have studied abroad, and faculty and staff who are involved in international activities.
Provides a coordinated way to connect with other �°��ϲ�� community members who are active in international scholarship.
Helps further advance the Global Awareness component of �°��ϲ��'s mission.
Facilitates networking with your internationally-minded peers at other campuses to expand your scholarship, teaching, and service.
Provides access to peer-reviewed publications and international scholarship, including opportunities to write and edit for its journal.
Offers unique advantages for faulty promotion (e.g., RTP) and scholarly careers.
Provides awards for students to pursue international scholarship.

Our Goals

Recognize the scholarly achievement of international students and scholars, who have studied abroad and faculty and staff who are involved in international activities.
Serve as a vehicle for the development of academic-based international programming.
Provide a network on each campus of faculty, staff and students involved in international endeavors.
Extend this network to thousands of members in chapters throughout the world.

History

In 1985, �°��ϲ��'s Center for International Education (CIE) desired to find a way to formally recognize its students, staff, and faculty. Wanting to honor the specialized achievements of international students, U.S. students returning from study overseas, international scholars, staff involved in international education, and faculty engaged in scholarly endeavors, CIE set out to find an honor society to fit their needs. A campus committee was formed and soon the Phi Beta Delta honor society was born to both honor academic achievements and to serve as a catalyst for international programming.

The Crest and Colors

The crest of the Society was designed with a globe, a torch, the sun, a book, and a shield. The globe represents the international perspective of the Society’s members. The torch symbolizes the leadership and influence of the Society. The sun stands for the energy in from which all cultures draw strength. The book symbolizes the coining and sharing for knowledge. The shield represents the preservation of academic freedom. The Society’s motto – Scientia Mutua Mundi (World’s Shared Knowledge) – is inscribed at the base of the crest.

The color red symbolizes the strength and diversity of humankind and gold is a symbol of the sun from which all people and cultures draw strength and life.