Alpha Beta Kappa is the only honor society

Honor society

In the United States, an honor society is a rank organization that recognizes excellence among peers. Numerous societies recognize various fields and circumstances. The Order of the Arrow, for example, is the national honor society of the Boy Scouts of America...

 recognizing excellence in the arts, the sciences, the trades, business, and both technical and general studies. It is also the only honor society in America that represents degree-granting institutions, junior colleges, senior colleges, and student-centered private career schools.

Alpha Beta Kappa places Chapters in nationally accredited institutions which have demonstrated high standards over a period of many years in the education and training of women and men in the numerous fields, trades and occupations essential to modern society. It is the mark of distinction for an institution to be awarded a Chapter of Alpha Beta Kappa. The purpose of the Society is to encourage and recognize superior student academic achievement, character and leadership.

Letters

Alpha

Alpha

Alpha is the first letter of the Greek alphabet. Alpha or ALPHA may also refer to:-Science:*Alpha , the highest ranking individuals in a community of social animals...

:The first letter of the Greek alphabet, stands for Athena

Athena

In Greek mythology, Athena, Athenê, or Athene , also referred to as Pallas Athena/Athene , is the goddess of wisdom, courage, inspiration, civilization, warfare, strength, strategy, the arts, crafts, justice, and skill. Minerva, Athena's Roman incarnation, embodies similar attributes. Athena is...

, the Goddess of Wisdom and patroness of the arts, crafts, and sciences. She bespeaks the spirit of truth and is armed with a spear of lightning. Alpha also means the first of anything and it is the name of the brightest star in a constellation.
Beta

Beta (letter)

Beta is the second letter of the Greek alphabet. In Ancient Greek, beta represented the voiced bilabial plosive . In Modern Greek, it represents the voiced labiodental fricative ....

:The second Greek letter, represents Brasidas, a distinguished Spartan General who fought with courage and gave his life in the fourth century B.C. He planned, organized and followed through in his cause. His life reminds us of our opportunity and duty to "fight the good fight."
Kappa

Kappa

Kappa is the 10th letter of the Greek alphabet, used to represent the voiceless velar stop, or "k", sound in Ancient and Modern Greek. In the system of Greek numerals it has a value of 20. It was derived from the Phoenician letter Kaph...

:Tenth Greek letter, stands for Kudos, meaning glory, credit and praise. Accordingly, A.B.K. means recognition and praise for those who have worked valiantly and successfully in one or more fields of the applied arts and sciences.

Other symbols

The Star

Star

A star is a massive, luminous sphere of plasma held together by gravity. At the end of its lifetime, a star can also contain a proportion of degenerate matter. The nearest star to Earth is the Sun, which is the source of most of the energy on Earth...

: The Star represents our ideals and dreams. The five points stand for the broad fields of Trade, Technology, Science, Industry, and General Studies. Those who labor and achieve in these fields do not oppose, rather they support and advance the liberal arts. Alpha Beta Kappa believes in the pursuit of truth and excellence in all fields and hopes to recognize institutions and individuals who have achieved and who hold forth the promise of future growth and service, especially in the areas represented by our star.
The Laurel Branches

Laurel wreath

A laurel wreath is a circular wreath made of interlocking branches and leaves of the bay laurel , an aromatic broadleaf evergreen. In Greek mythology, Apollo is represented wearing a laurel wreath on his head...

: The laurel branches indicate honor and distinction. Since the days of ancient Greece, laurel has been the badge of successful achievement. The laurel tree is evergreen and its leaves are aromatic.
The Official Flower and Colors: The official flower of the fraternity is the red carnation

Carnation

Dianthus caryophyllus is a species of Dianthus. It is probably native to the Mediterranean region but its exact range is unknown due to extensive cultivation for the last 2,000 years. It is the wild ancestor of the garden carnation.It is a herbaceous perennial plant growing to 80 cm tall...

and the colors of the order are red and blue.

Motto

The Latin Motto of Alpha Beta Kappa is "Faciemus," meaning "We shall build." Accordingly, members of the fraternity are life-long builders. They will ever strive to help others, their Alma Mater, and the society wherein they are leaders.