For immediate release June 25, 2019

The Phi Beta Kappa Society Launches Key into Public Service 


Program Will Connect Arts and Sciences Students with Scholarships
and Public Sector Opportunities

WASHINGTON, DC – The Phi Beta Kappa Society (ΦBK), the nation’s most prestigious academic honor society, will announce today a new undergraduate scholarship program to connect promising arts and sciences students with opportunities in public service. ΦBK Secretary and CEO Frederick M. Lawrence will unveil the program at a career networking event on Capitol Hill co-hosted by the nonprofit, nonpartisan Partnership for Public Service and the D.C. Area Phi Beta Kappa Alumni Association.

“This is a strong example of how the arts and sciences can open the door to a meaningful, productive, and engaged life,” says Lawrence. “Students can thrive in cutting-edge careers that matter to the nation.” 

According to the Partnership, only 6 percent of the roughly 2 million permanent, full-time federal employees are under the age of 30, a number that has declined from 9% since 2010. “It’s a critical time to educate a new generation about government and inspire them to consider a career in public service,” noted Rick Kempinski, Senior Manager of Federal Workforce Programs at the Partnership. 

As a part of Key into Public Service, ΦBK will award $5,000 scholarships to a cohort of 20 rising sophomore, junior, and senior liberal arts and science majors with a demonstrated interest in public sector work. The Society will invite applications for the Service Scholars program in the fall of 2019, with awards announced the following spring. Additionally, the Society will provide in-person training, mentoring, and pathways into public service for recipients at a summer convening in 2020. For more information, visit pbk.org/KeyintoPublicService. 

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About The Phi Beta Kappa Society

Founded on Dec. 5, 1776, The Phi Beta Kappa Society is the nation's most prestigious academic honor society. It has chapters at 290 colleges and universities in the United States, nearly 50 alumni associations, and more than half a million members worldwide. Noteworthy members include 17 U.S. Presidents, 41 U.S. Supreme Court Justices and more than 140 Nobel Laureates. 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. For more information, visit www.pbk.org.

About The Partnership for Public Service

During the past 17 years, the nonpartisan, nonprofit Partnership for Public Service has been dedicated to making the federal government more effective for the American people. We work across administrations to help transform the way government operates by increasing collaboration, accountability, efficiency and innovation. Visit ourpublicservice.org to learn more. Follow us on social @RPublicService and subscribe today to get the latest federal news, information on upcoming Partnership programs and events, and more.