The Phi Beta Kappa Society is the nation's most prestigious academic honor society. With well over 500,000 members worldwide, the Society champions education in the liberal arts and sciences, fosters freedom of thought, and recognizes academic excellence. Membership in Phi Beta Kappa is widely recognized as a mark of distinguished accomplishment. Last year, the Society welcomed more than 20,000 new students to membership on nearly 300 college and university campuses across the country. The Society supports the work of more than 40 volunteer-led alumni associations and publishes a quarterly magazine, The American Scholar, and a quarterly alumni newsletter, The Key Reporter.