Leadership Development

Omicron Delta Kappa Leadership Honor Society (ODK)

Omicron Delta Kappa Society

Omicron Delta Kappa National Leadership Honor Society was founded April 23, 2006, at Nova Southeastern University, at which time the society inducted 21 undergraduate and graduate students, staff and faculty members to the society. They felt that there was a need to recognize leadership and bring together faculty and students from the various phases of college life in the tradition of the idealism of Nova Southeastern University. They believed that through the sharing of opportunities and experience both the members of the society and the institution would benefit.

Purpose

Omicron Delta Kappa Society (OΔK) is a national leadership honor society for college students, faculty, staff, administrators, and alumni who have attained a high standard of leadership in collegiate activities in at least one of the five areas:

  • Scholarship
  • Athletics
  • Campus or community service, social and religious activities, and campus government
  • Journalism, speech, and the mass media
  • Creative and performing arts

To bring together the most representative students in all phases of collegiate life and thus to create an organization which will help to mold the sentiment of the institution on questions of local and intercollegiate interest.

To bring together members of the faculty and student body of the institution on a basis of mutual interest and understanding.

By working towards these goals OΔK hopes to help members to develop as both as a member of the college community and as a contributor to a better society.

Becoming a member in OΔK is a mark of the highest distinction and honor in the leadership arena and is well recognized by leaders in both the academic and business worlds. Furthermore, as a founding member you will be leaving a legacy behind at this institution while simultaneously positively impacting the future of Nova Southeastern University.

Who Can Join?

Junior, Senior, or Graduate Students who have displayed exemplary character, scholarship and intelligence, service and leadership at Nova Southeastern University and/or community life.

Additionally, student membership candidates must rank in the upper 35 percent in scholarship of Nova Southeastern University.

For more information about ODK, please contact Heidi Hassel, Faculty Secretary, at hh258@nova.edu or by phone (954) 262-7403.

OΔK History

Omicron Delta Kappa National Leadership Honor Society was founded December 3, 1914, at Washington and Lee University, by fifteen students and faculty leaders. They felt that there was a need to recognize leadership and bring together faculty and students from the various phases of college life in the tradition of the idealism of George Washington and Robert E. Lee. They believed that through the sharing of opportunities and experience both the members of the society and the institution would benefit.

There were three principal founders of Omicron Delta Kappa: J. Carl Fisher, who was Business Manager of the Student Magazine; Rupert Nelson Latture, President of the YMCA; and, William Mosely Brown, Phi Beta Kappa. Together with three faculty members, including the President of the University and the Dean of Engineering, these men gradually selected nine additional men to affiliate with them. When there were fifteen members, the first public announcement of the establishment of Omicron Delta Kappa was made in the student newspaper on January 12, 1915. With the passage of Title IX of the Civil Rights Act, the first woman was elected to OΔK in 1973.Prior to that; women were selected for Mortar Board and men for OΔK.

Omicron Delta Kappa functioned in a most admirable way from the very outset. At first there was no thought of immediate extension to other institutions, but it was apparent that Omicron Delta Kappa, if properly conducted, would prove beneficial to any college campus where it might be established. Almost spontaneously requests for charters were received from local groups at The Johns Hopkins University, the University of Pittsburgh, and Davidson College. By I917 there were four circles of Omicron Delta Kappa. These groups, impressed with The OΔK idea, together formed the National Society.

It is a significant fact that Omicron Delta Kappa was the first college honor society of a national scope to accord recognition and honor for meritorious leadership and service in extracurricular activities and to encourage the development of general campus citizenship. It is to be noted that the Society has always had a strong secondary membership requirement of scholarship, although its prime requisites for membership are character and meritorious attainments in all-around leadership in college and university life.

NSU OΔK Founding Members and Advisors

NSU OΔK Founding Members:
Paul Borthwick
Jennifer P. Bowman
Janette V. Del Angel
Daniel A. Epstien
Danielle Garcia
Giselle Gaviria
Reyna A. Gilbert
Elizabeth B. Harbaraugh
Careen Hutchinson
Stanley J. Kaszuba III
Diane Klien
Taylor Liput
Michelle A. Manley
Davia A. McDonald
Terry Morrow
Ben Mulvey
Eric C. Naples
Cheyenne C. Poskey
Shruti J. Slaghur
Emily Schmitt
Marcie R. Washington

Advisors:
Marcie Washington, Faculty Advisor
Terry Morrow, Faculty Secretary
Barry Barnes
Paul Borthwick
Reyna Gilbert
Emily Schmitt