ODK inducts new members
One of Georgia College & State University’s most prestigious honor societies has selected 18 fall inductees.
Omicron Delta Kappa (ODK) initiates juniors, seniors, and graduate students for their hard work and leadership skills.
“The Omicron Delta Kappa Society is the national leadership honor society for college students, faculty, staff, administrators, and alumni that recognizes and encourages superior scholarship, leadership, and exemplary character. Membership in ODK is the highest honor a campus can give to outstanding student leaders,” said Dr. Bruce Harshbarger, dean of students and faculty adviser to Omicron Delta Kappa.
According to Harshbarger, the fall inductees were: Heather Alexander, Anna Andreeva, Jennifer Armenia, Byron Barteaux, Kim Benfield, Leah Blasingame, Joffrey Blair, Gincy Brown, Kelly Cunningham, Anna DeMott, Paige Harrison, Bill McGourik, Kimberly Moore, Ryan Saltamacchio, Kristin Schuppe, Morgan Stallings, Lewissa Swords, and Angela Thrasher.
“They were ‘tapped’ for membership last week in candlelight ceremonies conducted in their classes,” said Harshbarger. “Membership is limited to juniors, seniors, and graduate students who ranked the top 35 percent of their class academically. Each semester, the membership of the GC&SU Circle of ODK nominates new prospective members and invites them to apply for membership.”
The society distinguishes different leadership and scholastic abilities.
“The Society recognizes achievement in five areas: scholarship, athletics, campus/community service, social/religious activities, and campus government, journalism, speech and the mass media and 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,” said Harshbarger.
The members of ODK give many contributions to the university. The leadership abilities and academic performances allow the university to excel.
“The purpose of Omicron Delta Kappa is threefold: To recognize those who have exhibited a high standard of leadership and effectiveness in collegiate activities; To bring together student leaders from all sectors of collegiate life in order to help mold the sentiment of the university for questions of local and collegiate interest; To bring together members of the faculty and the student body on a basis of mutual interest and understanding, ” said Harshbarger. “In addition, at GC&SU ODK has adopted emerging student leadership as its primary focus. Toward that end, our Circle recognizes outstanding emerging leaders, presents monthly and annual awards for emerging student leadership, and assists with the annual Emerging Student Leaders retreat each January. The ODK Leadership Center is in rooms 211-212 Lanier Hall and provides a lounge, kitchen, meeting facility, and leadership resource materials.”
ODK has a strong history with the university system.
“Omicron Delta Kappa was founded December 3, 1914 at Washington and Lee University, 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,” said Harshbarger. “ODK 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. In 1992, students, faculty, and staff at GC&SU recognized the value of the ODK model for this campus and began efforts to bring an ODK circle here. A local leadership honorary society called ‘Archontes’ was initiated that year and operated for several years after but never followed through on its intention to affiliate with ODK. A year ago, the Archontes Society was reinstituted with plans to petition for its inclusion into ODK. Its petition was approved last spring, and on April 25, 2001 ODK officially installed a Circle at GC&SU.”
Posted by Colonnade Archives
on Nov 2 2001. Filed under News.
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