Three Clemson Student-Athletes Inducted Into Phi Beta Kappa

April 2, 2009

Clemson, SC – Three Clemson student-athletes were among those inducted into the Delta Chapter of South Carolina of Phi Beta Kappa last Friday at the Tillman Auditorium. Swimmers Michelle Parkhurst and Rachel Sparks and rower Michelle Nance were among a group of 69 students selected to join the prestigious organization.

Nance, a native of Simpsonville, SC, is a member of the 13th ranked Varsity 8+ crew. She rowed with the Varsity 8+ all of last season and helped lead the Tigers to the school’s first ever appearance in the NCAA rowing championships. Nance has also competed internationally as a member of the United States Women’s 4- team, which placed fourth at the U23 world championships last summer. In addition, Nance has been named a National Scholar Athlete by the Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association and was a member of the Academic All-ACC team last season.

Parkhurst, a senior from Vienna, VA, is a captain on the women’s swimming team. She is a two-time honorable mention All-American, once in the 200 free and once as part of the 200 free relay. Parkhurst is also a five-time ACC Champion, winning four events in 2008 and one in 2009, while also taking second in the 200 back in 2009. Parkhurst is a four-time selection to the academic All-ACC squad. Also, Parkhurst has been named to the CSCAA Academic All-America team and led the Tigers to the best GPA of any team in the spring 2009 semester.

Sparks, a sophomore from Libertyville, IL is a Nursing major who competes in the backstroke events for the Tigers. She is a two-time letterwinner and was named to the ACC academic honor roll in her freshman season.

South Carolina’s Delta Chapter was installed on April 2, 2007, making Clemson one of 276 colleges and universities with a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, the nation’s oldest and largest academic honor society.