Clemson’s Diane Smathers to lead national honor society Phi Kappa Phi

Published: August 23, 2010

Diane Smathers image by: Phi Kappa Phi

CLEMSON — Diane G. Smathers, associate vice provost and director of the Emeritus College at Clemson University, has been selected president-elect of The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation’s oldest, largest and most selective all-discipline honor society. She will be president-elect for two years and ascend to the presidency in 2012.

“I look forward to honoring the traditions and leading the transitions of the society as we continue to make heroes out of scholars,” Smathers said.

As president-elect, Smathers will chair the budget, budget advisory and review, programs and awards review, and convention planning committees. Smathers had been society vice president since 2007. She has been a Phi Kappa Phi member since 1980.

Phi Kappa Phi has chapters at more than 300 colleges and universities. Since its founding in 1897, more than a million members have been initiated and about 30,000 inducted each year. Membership is by invitation only to the top 10 percent of seniors and graduate students and top 7.5 percent of juniors. Faculty and professional staff members and alumni who have achieved scholarly distinction also qualify.

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