Dozens of Students from Class of 2025 Join Phi Beta Kappa
On the Saturday before graduation, amid the excitement of Reunion and Commencement Weekend, 84 seniors were inducted into Wesleyan’s chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, the oldest and one of the most prestigious academic honor societies in the United States. Held in Memorial Chapel, the ceremony brought together students, families, alumni, and faculty to honor the students’ exceptional academic achievement and the strength of their moral character during their time at the University.
Phi Beta Kappa was founded in 1776 at the College of William & Mary and has since expanded to include chapters at over 290 of the nation’s leading colleges and universities. Its members include 17 U.S. presidents, 42 Supreme Court justices, and more than 150 Nobel laureates.
At Wesleyan, induction into Phi Beta Kappa requires nomination by a student’s major department, completion of all general education requirements, and a cumulative grade average of 93 or higher. The 84 students honored in the 2025 ceremony join 15 others inducted during the fall semester, collectively becoming part of an extensive national community of Phi Beta Kappa scholars and alumni.
This year’s keynote address was delivered by Amy Bloom, Shapiro-Silverberg Professor of Creative Writing, Emerita. A celebrated novelist and Phi Beta Kappa alumna herself, Bloom spoke about the importance of lifelong learning, the strength found in community, and the power of maintaining hope and a positive mindset as graduates prepare to navigate a rapidly changing world.
“Being inducted into Phi Beta Kappa is a tremendous honor,” said Celeste Borletti ’25, an English and psychology double major. “It feels very special to be seen and recognized by faculty in this way, and it’s not something everyone gets to experience, so I feel very fortunate.”
Borletti also reflected on how her Wesleyan experience shaped her both academically and personally.
“Wesleyan has reaffirmed the power and importance of the arts for me. It taught me the value of trying—even if it means failing—and to embrace every learning opportunity, good or bad.”
Caleb Henning ’25, an economics and French studies major who was awarded the White Prize in Economics this year, credits his academic experience for guiding his professional goals.
“Wesleyan is where I learned how much I loved data analysis, and that’s a passion I want to turn into a career,” he said. “All of my professors at the Quantitative Analysis Center really pushed me to learn and grow and apply myself in ways that have made me a better person and student. I can’t wait to see where this takes me after graduation.”
Chengyu Yu ’25, a Freeman Asian Scholar and computer science and film studies double major, echoed the significance of the honor and the strength of the Phi Beta Kappa community, which includes over 50,000 alumni nationwide.
“There have been many memorable moments at Wesleyan, including submitting my thesis,” Yu said. “In the end, I received high honors—I devoted a lot of time, and both the honor and thesis were a conclusion to my time here and what I strive for.”
Reflecting on his broader college experience, Yu emphasized the personal growth that comes from embracing new challenges.
“One of the lessons I learned at Wesleyan is to be open minded,” Yu said. “Always try to step out of your comfort zone and try new things.”
