Council Members 2025-2026
President: Donald Mastronarde, Ancient Greek and Roman Studies
Vice President: Mariane Ferme, Anthropology
Secretary/Treasurer: Catherine Cronquist Browning, Undergraduate Education
Historian: R. Jay Wallace, Philosophy
Other Members:
Cecilia Mo, Political Science
Philaine Seher, Undergraduate Advising
Sabrina Soracco, Graduate Division
Serving on the Executive Council
The Executive Council consists of volunteer Phi Beta Kappa members who are faculty or staff on the Berkeley campus. (Remember that once inducted as a member of Phi Beta Kappa, one is always a member, whether or not one has ever responded to a request for donations or dues.)
The Executive Council meets in person twice per year, normally one lunch meeting in September and another in late January or early February. At these meetings, any revisions of policy (such as adjustments to criteria for selection) are discussed, budget reports are reviewed, and annual tasks and events are planned.
As many members as possible attend the annual induction ceremony, normally scheduled at 5 pm on one of the days of RRR week in May. In some years there is also in April a reception for new members with the Chancellor, which Council members are encouraged to attend.
Day-to-day operations of the Chapter are handled by the Program Administrator in consultation with the Council President.
Council members normally serve on one or more of the following subcommittees. All subcommittees can usually complete their work without meeting in person.
Senior/senior transfer selection
Two members review the candidates selected for consideration by an algorithm, in two batches. In February, the larger batch, based on courses completed through the end of the previous fall term, is checked. In June, a smaller batch, based on courses completed through the end of the previous spring term, is vetted.
Junior selection
Two members review the limited number of junior candidates selected for consideration by an algorithm. This review takes place only in February, based on courses completed through the end of the previous fall term.
Graduate Fellowship ranking
Three members read and rank the applications of Phi Beta Kappa members who are Berkeley graduate students seeking support during the dissertation stage. There are about 10–20 applicants per year. The ranking is used to present candidates for consideration for fellowships from the PBK Northern California Association. A couple of top-ranked candidates not funded by PBKNCA are awarded fellowships from the Chapter’s own annual fundraising.
Fee waiver
Two or three members review requests for induction fee waivers from those with financial need.