Head of School Dr. Peter H. Quimby ’85, P’14 was elected Vice President of the Phi Beta Kappa Society at the Society's 45th Triennial Council in Boston on Friday, August 3. The position is for a 3-year term from 2018-2021.
The Phi Beta Kappa Society is the nation’s most prestigious academic honor society, founded in 1776. It has chapters at 286 colleges and universities in the United States, nearly 50 alumni associations, and more than half a million members worldwide. The mission of the Phi Beta Kappa Society is to champion education in the liberal arts and sciences, foster freedom of thought, and recognize academic excellence.
Dr. Quimby earned his B.A. at Bowdoin College and received his Ph.D. at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. Since then, he has served in several ΦBK chapters, including as Secretary of Alpha of Wisconsin (UW-Madison) (1998–2000), an active member of Alpha of Connecticut (Yale University) (2001–2005), and Secretary of Beta of New Jersey (Princeton University) (2006–2011). At the national level, he was on the Committee on Qualifications (2009–2012) and the Phi Beta Kappa Senate (2012–2018), where he also served as Chair of the ΦBK Awards Committee (2012–2018) and on the Senate Executive Committee (2015–2018).
Of his new leadership responsibilities, Dr. Quimby said, "Serving the mission of the Phi Beta Kappa Society has been a privilege and I am honored to be assuming new leadership responsibilities as vice president. The Society's efforts to promote academic excellence and advocate for the liberal arts and sciences are vital to the future of our democracy, and I look forward to working with Secretary Lawrence, President Pasquerella, and the Society's staff and Senate to advance these efforts in the coming years."
"It is a singular honor to have our Head of School elected to the leadership of our country’s most prestigious academic honor society. This election demonstrates Dr. Quimby’s dedication to academic excellence and scholarship, and is reflected at Governor’s in how Peter inspires students and teachers alike" said Jim Pierce ’72, P’08, President, Board of Trustees.
To read the press release from the Phi Beta Kappa Society, please click here.