The Charles E. Diehl Society

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I. Purpose

The Charles E. Diehl Society was founded in 1973 to honor the dedicated leader who set the standard of quality for the college during his tenure as President from 1917 through 1949.

The purpose of the Society is to support all phases of the college’s activities and to recognize the members of the Society for their dedication and their financial assistance to the college’s operation.

II. Membership

Membership is available to individuals and private foundations. There are six levels of membership to recognize commitments in the Charles E. Diehl Society:

  • Philanthropist $100,000 — or more
  • Guarantor $50,000 — $99,999
  • Fellow $25,000 — $49,999
  • Benefactor $15,000 — $24,999
  • Sustainer $10,000 — $14,999
  • Patron $ 5,000 — $ 9,999*

*Alumni five to nine years past graduation receive 50% discount.

These membership levels underwrite all sections of the budget of the college. They support the teaching and research that guarantee the quality of a liberal arts and sciences education and help provide library books, scholarships for students, and other expenditures.

III. Endowed Circle of the Charles E. Diehl Society

Endowed Circle membership was implemented in 1997 to ensure Rhodes’ continuing financial strength through unrestricted endowment gifts that can be made to fund perpetual memberships in the Charles E. Diehl Society. These unrestricted gifts may be either current or deferred or some combination of the two. Operating assumptions and guidelines are as follows:

A. Endowed Circle membership levels shall correspond to the prevailing regular membership levels of the Charles E. Diehl Society and through the endowment provide unrestricted income (5%) sufficient to fund a current membership in the Diehl Society. The levels of required endowment amount to provide a perpetual membership are as follows:

   Amount    Income
 Endowed Philanthropist   $2,000,000  $100,000
 Endowed Guarantor   $1,000,000  $50,000 
 Endowed Fellow  $500,000  $25,000 
 Endowed Benefactor  $300,000  $15,000
 Endowed Sustainer  $200,000  $10,000
 Endowed Patron  $100,000   $5,000

B. Previously-established, undesignated deferred gifts will qualify the donor for membership if the donor designates the deferred gift be used for the general, unrestricted purposes of the college. Donors who have previously made deferred gifts to the college for restricted purposes are eligible to join only by establishing an additional unrestricted deferred endowment.

C. The college will recognize donors with membership in the appropriate giving society (The Heritage Society, The Ralph C. Hon Society, Bellingrath Society, or Benefactor’s Circle) and will recognize donors in perpetuity in the college’s annual donor report as members of the Endowed Circle of the Charles E. Diehl Society.

IV. Activities And Privileges

Members of the Charles E. Diehl Society shall be linked to the college through their service on advisory boards, ad hoc assignments by the college President, their annual meeting hosted by the President of the Society, special campus events hosted by the Society, and through communications from the college.

V. Executive Committee

There shall be an Executive Committee of the Charles E. Diehl Society whose responsibilities are:

  • To assist the President of the college in planning the effective use of the many talents of Society members in promoting the college
  • To plan the annual Diehl Society meeting
  • To approve an annual schedule of activities and special events for the Society
  • To conduct and participate in the annual membership solicitation of the Diehl Society

The Executive Committee shall meet at least annually. Its members shall include the following persons:

  • The President of the Diehl Society calls and chairs meetings of the Executive Committee
  • The President-designate of the Diehl Society is appointed by the President of the college and assumes the office of President of the Diehl Society at the beginning of the next academic year
  • The immediate past President of the Diehl Society is invited to serve on the Executive Committee during the academic year following the conclusion of his/her term of office
  • An appropriate number of Diehl Society members are appointed at the discretion of the Diehl Society President.

VI. Ambassadors

The President of the Diehl Society shall, from time to time, appoint alumni or friends of Rhodes as Ambassadors of the Society. Their responsibility is to extend the influence of Rhodes worldwide and to help expand the membership in the Diehl Society in their respective areas. Activities of the Ambassadors are at their discretion and may include hosting a lunch or dinner on behalf of the Society and the college, nominating outstanding students for merit scholarships, identifying jobs and internship opportunities for students, and communicating with the college on sources of financial support.

VII. Revision of Bylaws

Revisions shall be made only by two-thirds majority vote of the Society’s members, taken either at the annual meeting or by mail.

Revised November 13, 2009.
Revised May 22, 2008.
In effect April 26, 2004.
Vice President for Development.