Early named honorary member of Phi Delta Kappa

Mary Frances Early was recently named an honorary member of Phi Delta Kappa (PDK) International, a professional organization for educators.

The mission of PDK is to promote high-quality education, particularly public education, through leadership, research and service in education. Established in 1906, there are approximately 60,000 PDK members and over 600 chapters globally.

"I am deeply honored to receive an honorary membership to the national and local Alpha Epsilon chapters of Phi Delta Kappa," said Early, who received the award at Therrell High School in Atlanta. "This recognition complements the naming of UGA's College of Education for me, and both represent my career journey in a wonderful way."

As an honorary member of the organization, Early receives numerous benefits including opportunities for networking, collegiality and professional growth; opportunities to serve local education communities; access to current research and updated educational ideas, strategies and techniques; and more.

This past February, the University of Georgia College of Education celebrated its one-year naming anniversary in honor of Early, the first African American student to graduate from UGA and a longtime leader of music education. Early played an integral role in the campaign for racial equality that helped open the doors for generations of students at the University and beyond.