Last modified: Friday, October 2, 2009
Cate elected president of Phi Beta Kappa
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Oct. 2, 2009
The Phi Beta Kappa Society, the nation's oldest academic honor society, announced today (Oct. 2) the election of Indiana University Maurer School of Law Distinguished Professor Fred H. Cate as its new president.
Cate, the C. Ben Dutton Professor of Law and director of the Center for Applied Cybersecurity Research, had served as the organization's vice president since April, following the death of Judith Krug. His election Friday occurred at the 42nd Triennial Council in Austin, Texas.
Fred H. Cate
"I am honored to be part of an organization with such a strong and storied background," Cate said. "Phi Beta Kappa is home to the country's brightest and most talented scholars. I look forward to working with such outstanding people during my three-year term as president."
Cate also currently serves as president of the IU chapter of Phi Beta Kappa. He was inducted into Stanford University's chapter in 1984 and has served as a member of the Society's governing board -- the senate -- since 2001.
John Churchill, secretary and chief executive officer of the society, praised the election of Cate. "Fred Cate's service on the Phi Beta Kappa senate has been exceptional," Churchill said. "His work toward developing a new strategic plan for our organization and revising the society's constitution demonstrates the vision and wisdom that are essential to the leadership of Phi Beta Kappa."
An information privacy and security law expert, Cate is considered one of the world's leading authorities on issues involving cybersecurity. He is a member of Microsoft's Trustworthy Computing Academic Advisory Board, the National Academy of Sciences Committee on Technical and Privacy Dimensions of Information for Terrorism Prevention and Other National Goals, and many other advisory boards and committees.
IU Maurer School of Law Dean Lauren Robel said Cate's experience and dedication will make him an exceptional president.
"I am delighted to hear of Professor Cate's election," Robel said. "Fred is known throughout the Law School, Indiana University, and the world as a wonderful teacher and scholar. His leadership and vision will serve Phi Beta Kappa and its members well for the next three years."
Phi Beta Kappa was formed in 1776 to champion education in the liberal arts and sciences and to recognize academic excellence and foster freedom of thought and expression. The organization has chapters at 276 institutions and more than a half-million members.
