Omicron Delta Kappa, The National Leadership Honor Society, was founded December 3, 1914, at Washington and Lee University, Lexington, Virginia, by fifteen student and faculty leaders. In the tradition of the idealism and leadership of George Washington and Robert E. Lee, 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 a worthwhile endeavor, and that outstanding students, faculty and administration members
should meet on a basis of mutual interest, understanding and helpfulness.

     The motives which guided the founders sprang from a desire to bring together one body for the general good of the institution all leaders in the various phases of college activities. They were convinced that such an honor society, properly conducted, would offer maximum opportunities and experiences and cooperative effort for more effective leadership and service in the purposes, interests and needs of the institution, and for the maintenance and improvement of the unity and democracy of learning and citizenship responsibilities.
 
 

     The inception of the movement which eventually resulted in the establishment of Omicron Delta Kappa was due to J. Carl Fisher, business manager of the student magazine, leader in social and speech activities, and student instructor in physics.  He associated with himself two other members of the student body: Rupert Nelson Latture, Delta Upsilon, Phi Beta Kappa, president of the Young Men’s Christian Association, social leader, and student instructor in French; and William Moseley Brown, Delta Kappa Epsilon, Phi Beta Kappa, debater, literary and social leader, student instructor in German and past president of the Young Men’s Christian Association. These three men met together on many occasions. They consulted frequently with Dr. Henry Louis Smith. Phi Delta Theta Phi Beta Kappa, president of the University; Dr. De la Warr Benjamin Easter. Kappa Sigma, Phi Beta Kappa, Professor of Romance Languages; and Professor David Carlisle Humphreys, Phi Gamma Delta, Dean of the School of Engineering. These faculty members thought very highly of the proposal to establish a new kind of honor society and become members of the group of founders.

     After a careful survey and study of campus life and activities as they existed at Washington and Lee in 1913-14 the main outline of the purpose and plan for establishing Omicron Delta Kappa was worked out. New members were selected and invited from time to time until the list of founders included, in addition to those already mentioned, the following: James Edwin Bear, Beta Theta Pi, editor of the student magazine and leader in social and religious affairs: Carl Shaffer Davidson, Kappa Sigma and instructor in Civil Engineering; Edward Parks Davis, Kappa Sigma, manager of the glee club and all-around athlete; Edward A. Donahue, Phi Kappa Sigma and captain of football and baseball; Philip Pendleton Gibson,Pi Kappa Alpha, president of student government and editor of the student newspaper; Thomas McPheeters Glasgow, Phi Delta Theta, orator and athlete; John Eppes Martin, Alpha Chi Rho, business manager of the college annual and student instructor in English; William Caulfield Raftery, Phi Kappa Sigma, all-around athlete and social leader; and John Purver Richardson. Jr., Sigma Chi, officer in student government and student instructor in biology.

     Hearty approval was given the proposal to establish this leadership honor society by the administration and faculty of Washington and Lee. A number of meetings were held for the purpose of perfecting the pattern and details of organization. Most of these gatherings took place in Reid and Washington Halls.  The first public announcement of the establishment of Omicron Delta Kappa was made in the Ring-tum Phi, student newspaper of Washington and Lee University, on January 12, 1915.

     The first regularly elected faculty member was Dr. James Lewis Howe, Professor of Chemistry and later Dean of Washington and Lee University. The first regularly elected member honoris causa was Dr. John Halliday Latane, Professor of History at The Johns Hopkins University. They were initiated into membership on April 30, 1915, along with nine student leaders.
 
 

     During the first sixty years of existence, the Society initiated only men. At the 1970 and 1972 National Conventions. The University of Alabama Circle introduced an amendment to the National Constitution to admit women into the Society.  The Special Committee on the Possible Role of Women in ODK® met in January 1973 and recommended changes to the National Constitution that would abolish segregation based on gender within the Society. On March 12, 1974. the ODK® National Convention convened in New Orleans and approved the initiation of women.

     On that date, the first women members were recognized by the Society. They were: The Johns Hopkins University Circle-Carolyn Julia Kucinski and Diane Christine Ragosa; University of South Florida Circle - Robbie Lynn Cooney, Maria Dolores Delvalle. Roxane R. Dow. Catherine Ann Rohrbacher. Karen Diane Janzer, Linda Ann Touten, Martha Gwyn Van Deman, and Cathy Sue Welch.

Cheryl M. Hogle was elected as the first woman National President at the Convention in Knoxville, Tennessee on February 25. 1998. After serving four terms as a Faculty Province Director and two terms as National Vice President for Extension. she was elected by unanimous vote of the Convention.
 
 

     On March 22, 1992, the National Convention passed a resolution authorizing the incorporation of the Society. On July 1, 1992. the Omicron Delta Kappa Society was merged into the corporation, The Omicron Delta Kappa Society, Inc.
 
 

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 mold 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, as well as other Omicron Delta Kappa members, on a basis of mutual interest and understanding.

Five Major Phases of Campus Life: Omicron Delta Kappa recognizes and encourages achievement in scholarship; athletics; campus or community service, social and religious activities, and campus government; journalism, speech, and the mass media; creative and performing arts.

Omicron Delta Kappa places emphasis upon the development of the whole person, both as a present member of his/her college community and as a prospective contributor to a better society. The Society believes that while good scholarship and intellectual development are the chief objectives of college years, the life of the mind is not the only life students will have to cope with as the result of their college experience. It is not enough to be merely a “scholar;” other indispensable qualities have to be cultivated also. Students and faculty members have more clearly to understand that the self is truly a composite of the hand, the heart, and the spirit as well as the mind. Omicron Delta Kappa believes that the real search for the truth, the promotion of good will, the development of consideration and understanding, good taste, and a sense of honor, learning how to get along and cooperate with others, and the assumption of duty and responsibility, are important lessons and personal qualities which one learns and develops through an integrated program of academic and extracurricular education.

The Society further believes that progressive and intelligent development in campus citizenship requires the opportunity and freedom to engage in purposeful activities carried on by students with friendly counsel and association of faculty members.

Five Indispensable Qualifications for Membership: Exemplary character, responsible leadership and service in campus or community life, superior scholarship, genuine fellowship, and consecration to democratic ideals.

Membership in Omicron Delta Kappa is awarded to undergraduate junior and senior students, to students of graduate and professional schools and colleges of the institution, to members of the faculty and administration, and to alumni. Election to membership is on the basis of merit, is irrespective of a person’s affiliation with other organizations, and is without solicitation or propaganda, such as rushing or social pressure, to insure acceptance of the invitation to membership. Membership is as much an obligation and responsibility in citizenship as it is a mark of highest distinction and honor.

Diversity Statement: The ODK® Idea affirms and promotes openness and inclusiveness among all people. Membership selection shall be free of bias so that all qualified will be considered equitably for membership.

Five Point Program for Every College Campus: Inculcation of The ODK® Idea into every field of campus life; provision of intellectual leadership to campus movements; coordination of constructive movements; preservation of worthwhile traditions and customs; and improvement of the general welfare of the student body.

Omicron Delta Kappa is to be active in the molding of campus opinion, in rendering genuine service to Alma Mater, and in marshalling the constructive forces in the college or university for the upholding of those social, cultural and moral values in which every institution believes itself to be rich. Even more important than this is the Society’s goal of translating these values and ideals into terms of everyday campus and community living instead of leaving them as so many theoretical platitudes.

As a means of achieving this objective, Omicron Delta Kappa provides a clearinghouse for students, faculty and administration officers from all schools, colleges and departments of the institution, and undertakes to assist the college or university in carrying out important work, thus providing a basis for mutual confidence and understanding which is invaluable in the successful conduct of any institution.

Faculty Participation: Active participation of faculty and administration members of the Society in the circle’s activities and their hearty cooperation with student members is a feature of great importance in Omicron Delta Kappa. Their active and continuous affiliation with the circles increases the stability and effectiveness of the Society.

Circles of Omicron Delta Kappa. with the approval of the Board of Directors of the Society, may elect an additional number (up to eight) of Honorary Members when the circles or their sheltering institutions observe such important occasions as the fiftieth, seventy-fifth, centennial, sesquicentennial, and bicentennial anniversaries.

Omicron Delta Kappa, or “ODK®” as it is popularly known, 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 I9 I7 there were four circles of Omicron
Delta Kappa. These groups, impressed with The ODK® 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.

During World War I, the Society remained intact under the administration of Dr. D.B. Easter, its first National President, who was assisted by several of the older faculty members while most of the younger members were serving their country in the Army and Navy.

After the War each of the four circles of Omicron Delta Kappa continued its work as though there had been no interruption whatever. As a result of able faculty leadership the Society was ready for the remarkable growth and development witnessed in American colleges and universities in the ensuing years. The ODK® Idea is an expanding one which has taken firm root in 269 colleges and universities.

During World War II, faculty and administration members of the Society again filled in the gap left by student members who entered the armed services, and assumed full responsibility for carrying on the Society during the war period.

The genius of the founders in providing for voting faculty and administration membership as a part of The ODK® Idea has given wise counsel and continuity so necessary to the circle organization at all times, and especially has this been true during the two war emergency periods in the Society’s history.
 
 

A variety of activities and events, many of which have become traditional on a number of campuses, are either sponsored by the Circle itself or stimulated and encouraged by it in cooperation with other groups and individuals. Local campus needs and conditions are the determining factors as to the nature and frequency of circle programs and services. No absolute yardstick has been devised and successfully applied to measure the quality, value and range ofcircle programs, action and influence. Therefore, Omicron Delta Kappa lists no specific activities in which the circles must participate. It is of the greatest importance, however, that all Circles maintain ODK® standards in all phases of their work. Teachers and administrators report from time to time that ODK® is contributing substantially to the welfare, development and influence of the institutions where it is located.

A great deal of good, solid work is carried on quietly as a result of Circle meetings and discussions, leadership conferences, and other cooperative work with student and faculty groups and individuals. The policy of stimulating and developing constructive discussion, attitudes and activities is a major function of the Society.

In addition to the regular meetings, committee work and carefully planned meetings for the announcement, or “tapping,” of new members and their reception into membership, the following is a summary list of major activities and services carried on by Circles of Omicron Delta Kappa, in some instances in conjunction with Mortar Board, Student Government and other groups:

1.   Meetings with members of the faculty and administration for deliberative
      discussion of major campus trends, problems and developments.

2.   Leadership conferences and workshops for students and faculty members;
      high school career and leadership programs.

3.   Honors Day Convocations, chapel programs, dinners and special events.

4.   Student-faculty and public forums on local, national and world issues.

5.   Cooperative enterprises with student government. publication boards and
      honor courts and systems in surveys, seminars, and planning for improve-
      ments.

6.  Awards for high scholarship and leadership (underclassmen). senior book
     awards, athletic awards, “Senior Student-of-the-Year” awards, and travel
     scholarships.

7.  Dinner meetings of student organization presidents and honor society dinner
     programs.
 
 

A minimum of organizational machinery has become an accepted tradition in Omicron Delta Kappa. The Society seeks the maximum of local autonomy and initiative. All regulations governing the Society are kept at a minimum sufficient to give the Omicron Delta Kappa key essentially the same significance everywhere. The Board of Directors urges Circles to concentrate their efforts on the distinctly major services and issues of their colleges and universities, and to engage in a select number of activities of the very highest quality. The National Officers and committee members exist primarily to serve the needs of the circlesand to assist them in maintaining reasonable similarity as active units of a strong and fully accredited National Leadership Honor Society. The national headquarters of the Society are in Lexington, Kentucky.
 
 

The basic unit of Omicron Delta Kappa is the collegiate Circle. Membership in the Society can come only through election and initiation by one of the collegiate circles. Elections are normally held twice a year, in the fall or winter and the spring terms of the institution. The National Society consists of an association of all active collegiate and alumni Circles of the Society. At the present time there are circles of Omicron Delta Kappa in 269 institutions of higher learning.
 
 

The Faculty Secretary, who, by Constitutional provision, is a voting faculty member of his/her circle, holds an important office in the Society. The Faculty Secretary’s duties are generally defined in Article IX, Section E.

The importance of the Faculty Secretary’s work cannot be overemphasized.  Student officers of circles usually serve for a year, while by tradition and the need for organizational continuity and the safekeeping of Circle records, the Faculty Secretary usually serves several terms. The Faculty Secretary’s compensation lies in the knowledge and satisfaction that the high standards, the honor and distinction, and the continuing influences and service of ODK® in college life are, in no small measure, results of his/her work and counsel year after year.
 
 

The 1982 Convention approved a general description of the role of the Faculty Adviser. (See Article IX, Section F)

The Circle officers are urged to become thoroughly conversant with the National Constitution and By-Laws of Omicron Delta Kappa and with other important information contained in this manual. By so doing the work of the Society at the local and national levels will be more effective.
 
 

The Circles of Omicron Delta Kappa are grouped into geographical areas known as Provinces, over which a Faculty Province Director serves as an advisory and administrative assistant to the Executive Director. Province Conferences. which are consultative and advisory in purpose and function and not legislative, are held in the interim between National Conventions under the direction of the Faculty Province Director.

By action of the 1970 National Convention, provision was made for a Student Province Director in each Province, who aids the Faculty Province Director in the accomplishment of any and all of his responsibilities, seeking particularly to interpret student viewpoints accurately and to serve as a medium of effective communication.
 
 

The general legislative body of Omicron Delta Kappa is the National Convention, which is held biennially. It is formed by the members of the Board of Directors, the Province Directors, and one official delegate or alternate from each collegiate Circle and alumni club. National Conventions provide varied opportunities and privileges for intercollegiate and general contacts and fellowship for the beneficial exchange of ideas and experiences; for discussion of mutual interests, and for sharing in the determination of policies and emphases of the Society.
 
 

The permanent executive body of Omicron Delta Kappa is the Board of Directors.  It meets twice a year and if necessary at other times in special session. It is comprised of the National President; National Vice President for Circle Standards; National Vice President for Extension; National Student Vice President; National Treasurer; Executive Director; two Members-at-Large and two Student members, elected by the National Convention; the Immediate Past National President; one Faculty Province Director, and the National Counsel.

Under emergency conditions the Board of Directors serves as the ad interim legislative body as provided for in the National Constitution.
 
 

The Omicron Delta Kappa Foundation. Inc., was chartered in 1982 as a not-for-profit corporation to administer the professional and philanthropic activities of the Omicron Delta Kappa Society, Inc. The Foundation is governed by an unsalaried Board of Trustees who include national officers of the Society. thus assuring the Foundation’s continued identification with the purposes and programs of Omicron Delta Kappa.

It is intended that the development of endowment funds will enable major programs to be undertaken. Among those envisioned are:

• Leadership development workshops and seminars
• Meritorious scholarships awards
• Circle project matching grants
• Leadership-related research assistance grants
• Expanded computerized services
• Circle development retreat grants
• Province Director support

Omicron Delta Kappa makes a number of awards: Student Leader of the Year Award, annually; Recognition Certificates, by the circles but not more than two annually per Circle: Laurel Crowned Circle Award, not more than one annually to an outstanding American who has exemplified the ideals of the Society; Robert L. Morlan Faculty Secretary Award and the Robert Bishop Faculty Adviser Award, annually, for outstanding service to a local Circle and to the Society; no more than four Distinguished Service Keys, biennially; Meritorious Service Certificates from time to time; and Circle Recognition Awards, annually; awarded to Circles who meet the criteria for Circle of Distinction, Superior Circle Award, or Presidential Award of Excellence. (Refer to Article IX of the National By-Laws for further information.)
 
 

The purpose of alumni clubs is to keep Omicron Delta Kappa members continually aware of and identified with the ideals, activities and needs of the Society; to support and encourage educational institutions in the important task of developing intelligent leadership and personal responsibility for the major enterprises of the Society; and to develop and extend the creative potentialities of democratic discussion and fellowship to the end of greater understanding and general culture.

Alumni clubs may be organized in given areas by resident members of Omicron Delta Kappa and chartered by the Board of Directors when written application is made by at least 15 members. (Refer to Section D, Article VII, of the National Constitution and Article XI of the National By-Laws.)