Omicron Delta Kappa, Alpha Circle 1914 to Present

Omicron Delta Kappa, the National Leadership Honor Society, was founded December 3, 1914, at Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Virginia, by 15 student and faculty leaders. The founders formulated the idea that leadership of exceptional quality and versatility in college should be recognized, that representatives in all phases of college life should cooperate in worthwhile endeavors, and that outstanding students, faculty, and administrators should meet on a basis of mutual interest, understanding, and helpfulness. OΔK® was the first college honor society of a national scope to give recognition and honor for meritorious leadership and service in extracurricular activities and to encourage development of general campus citizenship. The Alpha Circle also has a page www.odk.org.

Alpha Circle

Officers

  • President: Finn Connor ‘23
  • Vice-President: Jamal Magoti ‘23
  • Treasurer: Carter Chandler ‘23
  • Faculty Advisor: Elizabeth Knapp
  • Circle Coordinator: Matthew Loar ‘07

Voting Faculty Members

  • Elizabeth Knapp, Professor of Earth and Environmental Geosciences and Director of the Johnson Program in Leadership and Integrity
  • Matthew Loar, Assistant Professor of Classics and Director of Fellowships
  • Gene McCabe, Assistant Director of Athletics for Compliance and Head Men's Lacrosse Coach
  • Karla Murdock, Professor of Cognitive Behavioral Science and Director of the Mudd Center for Ethics
  • Mohamed Kamara, Department Chair and Professor of French

Alpha Circle Membership

Class of 2023

  • Clara Albacete
  • Emily Brookfield
  • Carter Chandler
  • Me Finn Connor
  • Jillian Gallardo
  • Jamal Magoti
  • Tanajia Moye-Green
  • Tahrington Phillips
  • Hannah Puckett
  • Jensen Rocha
  • Alessandra Stankewich
  • James Torbert
  • John Coleman Ward Jr.

Class of 2022

  • Emma Aldrich
  • Enuma Andrea Anekwe-Desince
  • Paige Anderson
  • Esther Assenso
  • Claudia Barnett
  • Camilla Anastasia Beeley
  • Eli Bradley
  • Andrew Claybrook
  • Jasmine Furin
  • Natasha Gengler
  • Elizabeth Brauer Grist
  • Mayahuel Hernandez
  • Sarah Hollen
  • Syed Rafay Houaglund
  • Jonathan Hsu
  • Lane Johansen
  • Katherine Kern
  • Yiqing Lan
  • Troy James Larsen
  • Andrea Levan
  • Ann Lott
  • Randolph Henderson Maxwell
  • Kathryn Muensterman
  • Grace Pelosky
  • Pamela Steimel
  • Mansi Tripathi
  • Brian Stephen Wickman
  • Nolan Michael Zunk

Law Class of 2022

  • Ryan Michael D'Ercole
  • Sabrina Matlock
  • William Harold Smith III
  • Russel Samuel Wade
  • Christopher Ethan Watts

History

The Omicron Delta Kappa Society, Inc., The National Leadership Honor Society for college students, recognizes and encourages superior scholarship, leadership, and exemplary character. Membership in ODK is a mark of highest distinction and honor.

The Society recognizes achievement in scholarship; athletics; campus or community service, social, religious activities, and campus government; journalism, speech and the mass media; and the creative and performing arts. Emphasis is placed on the development of the whole person, both as a member of the college community and as a contributor to a better society. Since its founding, Omicron Delta Kappa has initiated over 300,000 members.

The Society recognizes achievement in the following five areas:

  • Scholarship
  • Athletics
  • Campus/Community Service, Social/Religious Activities, and Campus Government
  • Journalism, Speech and the Mass Media
  • Creative and Performing Arts

The ODK "mark of distinction" is well recognized by leaders in both the academic and business worlds.

Purpose

The Purpose of The Omicron Delta Kappa Society is Threefold:

  • First, to recognize those who have attained a high standard of efficiency in collegiate activities and to inspire others to strive for conspicuous attainments along similar lines;
  • Second, to bring together the most representative students in all phases of collegiate life and thus to create an organization which will help to mould the sentiment of the institution on questions of local and intercollegiate interest;
  • Third, to bring together members of the faculty and student body of the institution on a basis of mutual interest and understanding.

Membership

Membership in Omicron Delta Kappa is as much an obligation and responsibility in leadership as it is a mark of highest distinction and honor. Membership is awarded to undergraduate junior and senior students; to graduate students; to faculty, staff, administration and alumni; and to persons qualifying for membership honoris causa. Student membership candidates must rank in the upper 35 percent in scholarship of their school or college and must show leadership in at least one of five areas:

  • Scholarship
  • Athletics
  • Campus/Community Service, Social/Religious Activities, and Campus Government
  • Journalism, Speech and the Mass Media
  • Creative and Performing Arts

Through membership in ODK, you gain potential friendships with nearly 270,000 living women and men whose peers recognize them as scholars and leaders; recognition by those around you who have been selected as the very top men and women at your college or university; recognition by leaders throughout the world; and the opportunity to continue lifetime service to your college with fellow ODK members and alumni.

The Foundation

The Omicron Delta Kappa Foundation, Inc., is a not-for-profit corporation chartered to administer the professional and philanthropic activities of the Omicron Delta Kappa Society. The Foundation awards $1,000 graduate scholarships each year to 13 outstanding ODK seniors who plan to attend accredited graduate or professional schools. Washington and Lee ODK members are also eligible for a separate scholarship named in honor of W&L alumnus Kennth P. Ruscio, former president of ODK and former president of W&L.

This page was last modified on September 20, 2022
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