Secretary of Phi Beta Kappa Society key speaker at Convocation Aug. 24

SHREVEPORT, LA — John Churchill, Secretary of the Phi Beta Kappa Society, will be the featured speaker at the annual President's Convocation, Tuesday, August 24 beginning at 11:10 a.m. in Brown Chapel.

Dr. John Churchill

Churchill will speak at the traditional annual convocation that launches the new academic year and offers special recognition to the new incoming students and the year's graduating class.

Churchill serves as the Society's chief executive officer and the head of its national office. Prior to his appointment in 2001, he served as the vice president for academic affairs and dean of the college at Hendrix College, where he also served as professor of philosophy and twice as interim president. A former Rhodes Scholar, Churchill served as assistant American secretary to the Rhodes Scholarship Trust in the 1970s, and has been active since that time in the selection of Rhodes Scholars. He also has served as the president of the National Humanities Alliance.

The Phi Beta Kappa Society is the nation's oldest and most widely known academic honor society. Its mission is to celebrate and advocate excellence in the liberal arts and sciences, and induct the most outstanding students of arts and sciences at America's leading colleges and universities. Founded by five students in 1776 at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Va., there are currently more than half a million members and chapters at 280 American colleges and universities.

About Centenary College of Louisiana

Centenary College is a private, four-year arts and sciences college affiliated with the United Methodist Church. Founded in 1825, it is the oldest chartered liberal arts college west of the Mississippi River and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Centenary is one of 16 colleges and universities constituting the Associated Colleges of the South and has been recognized as "One of the Best 371 Colleges" by the Princeton Review and one of "America's Best Colleges" and one of "America's Best Private Colleges" by Forbes.com. In 2008 Centenary College celebrated 100 years in Shreveport and Bossier City.