Oldest U.S. Multidisciplinary Honor Society Names Professor to Board

Wenger plans to increase the visibility and awareness of the prestigious society, one of several goals the board pinpointed for the two-year term.

"I see this as such an opportunity for Phi Kappa Phi to have a bigger role in the national conversation about the value of higher education," said Wenger, professor in the School of Journalism and New Media.

"The fact that it's a multidisciplinary society that's well over a century old makes it uniquely poised to be able to speak about this because, let's face it, our world is multidisciplinary."

Founded in 1897, Phi Kappa Phi invites the top 7.5% of college juniors and top 10% of seniors and graduate students to join. Distinguished faculty, staff and alumni can also meet eligibility requirements.

As one of 12 board members, Wenger will help develop performance indicators for the organization's new strategic plan.

Wenger's service on the national board underscores the excellence of the flagship university's faculty, students and education, said Annette Kluck, Ole Miss chapter president and dean of the Graduate School.

Having a national board member also helps the university's 65-year-old chapter grow its programming and recruitment, Kluck said.

"Our chapter has a history of being recognized for the work we do," she said. 

"Dr. Wenger's service on the board will further enhance the extent to which our chapter is aware of trends and plans for the national organization and other chapters. In other words, she will have greater insight into the best practices from across the U.S. and we can explore and adapt those that are a fit for our campus chapter."

Wenger has served in board positions and as chapter president since joining the university's Phi Kappa Phi chapter.

Phi Kappa Phi's welcoming of scholars from different areas and its motto, "Let the love of learning rule humanity," resonate with the passionate journalist and educator, she said.

"This organization understands and values that if we all work together across disciplines on challenges, we're going to get much further, much faster," Wenger said.

The university's chapter has more than 1,000 affiliated members, including notable alumni such as author John Grisham and Chancellor Emeritus Robert Khayat.

Top: Debora Wenger (left), a journalism professor at Ole Miss, presents an honors cord to a new Phi Kappa Phi inductee at a ceremony in Jackson. Wenger, who has been active in the multidisciplinary honor society for many years, has been named to its board of directors Photo by Jay Ferchaud/University of Mississippi Medical Center