Greenville resident Emily Lee recently initiated into the Phi Kappa Phi honor society.

Phi Kappa Phi is the oldest and most selective all-discipline collegiate honor society in the nation.

Undergraduate student Marcus L Urann founded Phi Kappa Phi in 1897. Urran desired to create an honor society that recognized excellence in all academic disciplines.

Membership is by invitation only and requires both a nomination and approval by a local chapter.

Only the top ten percent of seniors and top seven percent of juniors are eligible to join.

Graduate students in the top ten percent of candidates for graduate degrees may also qualify. Faculty, professional staff, and alumni who achieve scholarly distinction may also be eligible.

With her initiation, which occurred at Auburn University at Montgomery, complete, Emily joins the 30,000 students, faculty, staff, and alumni initiated each year.

Each year, Phi Kappa Phi awards more than $1 million to outstanding students and members. These awards arrive through graduate and dissertation fellowships, undergraduate study grants, funding for post-baccalaureate development, and grants for local, national, and international literacy initiatives.

With more than 325 campuses in the United States and the Philippines, and over 1.5 million members initiated since its founding,Phi Kappa Phi has had many notable members over the years.

Some notable members include former President Jimmy Carter, astronaut Wendy Lawrence, novelist John Grisham, and YouTube co-founder Chad Hurley.