Phi Kappa Phi, a national honor society, recently inducted professor Joel A. Snow as an honorary member-for-life.

Phi Kappa Phi recognizes and encourages “superior scholarship and achievement in all academic disciplines.”

Snow, who currently serves as the executive associate director of the International Institute of Theoretical and Applied Physics at ISU, said he is pleased about the recognition.

“I am greatly honored and am very delighted by my peers that they think that highly of me,” he said.

Shirley Gilmore, president-elect for the ISU chapter of Phi Kappa Phi, said Snow is deserving of the honor.

“It would be difficult to find an individual who can offer more prestigious qualifications for honorary membership than does Dr. Snow,” she said. “He is truly an outstanding individual.”

Snow’s induction ceremony was held Sunday in Benton Auditorium in the Scheman Building. He presented a speech titled “The Practice of Public Science: The Scientist as a Citizen” at the ceremony.

Snow said the principle theme about his lecture focused on the “role of the scientist in the public policy and how they are directly involved.”

He also said he would like to see more activism from the public in the policy process.

“As we move into the new century, the public’s participation will be a necessary element,” he said.

Snow has received numerous awards and honors, including the Arthur S. Flemming Award for outstanding leadership in developing programs in renewable and alternative energy sources.

Snow also has had a distinguished career in military service, government and higher education.

Snow came to ISU in 1993 as a professor in the electrical and computer engineering departments, after serving as associate vice president for research at the University of Chicago.

He has also held several positions at the U.S. Department of Energy and the National Science Foundation.

More than 250 undergraduate and graduate students also were inducted into Phi Kappa Phi Sunday, along with five faculty members.

These faculty members include David Acker, director of International Agriculture and Programs; Walter Gmelch, dean of the College of Education; Olivia Madison, dean of Library Services; James McCormick, professor of political science and liberal arts and sciences; and Kate Schwennsen, assistant professor of architecture and design.