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Omicron Delta Kappa

Omicron Delta Kappa

The National Leadership Honor Society

  • About
    • Mission, Vision, and Values
      • Notable Members
      • Founders’ Day
    • Leading in the 21st Century: FY 2022-24 O∆K Strategic Plan
    • Fast Facts
    • Leadership
      • Board of Trustees
      • Emeriti Trustees
      • Student Advisory Board
      • Staff
    • Governance
      • 2023 Elections for Student and Faculty/Staff Trustees
      • Articles of Incorporation
      • National Bylaws
      • Governing Committees
      • Operating Committees
      • Omicron Delta Kappa Policies and Procedures
    • History of the Society
      • Our Founders
      • Toward a More Inclusive Society
      • Women in Omicron Delta Kappa
      • Former National Presidents, Foundation Presidents, and Board Chairs
      • Circle Installations
    • Commitment to Diversity and Equal Opportunity
  • Members
    • Prospective Members
    • Collegiate Members
    • Lifetime Members
      • Help Our Circles Thrive
      • Become a National Level Volunteer
      • Governance and Fundraising Volunteer Opportunities
    • Member Benefits
    • Volunteer to Help O∆K
    • Update Your O∆K Record
    • Read The Circle
  • Programs
    • National Leadership and Service Awards
    • Scholarships
    • National Day of Service
      • National Day of Service Report
      • 2021 National Day of Service Stories
    • National Leadership Conference
      • 2023 National Leadership Conference
      • Past National Conventions
    • Clay Leadership Development Grants
    • Stone Ethical Leadership Challenge
  • Circles
    • Find a Circle
    • Membership Fees
    • Circle Officers (Advisors and Student Officers)
      • Dates and Deadlines
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      • Monthly Officer Updates Newsletter
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      • Circle Reports and Forms
      • Recognition and Awards
      • Webinars and Training
    • Resources to Promote Leadership Embracing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity
      • Circle Programming and Practices
      • Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity Awards
      • Glossary of Terms
      • Key Fund
      • Organizations Advocating for Social Justice
      • Publications Focused on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity
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  • Circles
    • Find a Circle
    • Membership Fees
    • Circle Officers (Advisors and Student Officers)
      • Dates and Deadlines
      • Member Management System
      • Monthly Officer Updates Newsletter
      • Recruitment and Selection
      • Initiation
      • Branding, Templates, and Downloads
      • Circle Reports and Forms
      • Recognition and Awards
      • Webinars and Training
    • Resources to Promote Leadership Embracing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity
      • Circle Programming and Practices
      • Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity Awards
      • Glossary of Terms
      • Key Fund
      • Organizations Advocating for Social Justice
      • Publications Focused on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity
      • Toward a More Inclusive Society
      • Websites Focused on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity
    • Establish a New Circle
      • Extension Process
    • Contact Us
  • Shop
  • Donate
    • Give Now
    • The Campaign for Our Second Century
      • Campaign Giving Opportunities
      • Scholarships for Collegiate Members
      • Opportunity Fund (Gift of Membership)
      • Key Fund
      • Developing the Campus Leaders of Today
      • Collaborative Leadership Initiatives
      • Preservation, Renovation, and Expansion of National Headquarters
      • Campaign Initiatives Supported to Date
    • Ways to Give
      • Planned Giving
      • Charitable Gift Annuities
      • Heritage Society
    • Gift Acceptance Policies
    • Endowment Information
    • National Day of Giving
    • State Charitable Registration Disclosures

History of the Society

 

Omicron Delta Kappa was founded on Dec. 3, 1914 on the campus of Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Va. The Society was founded by a group of 15 students, faculty, and administrators who believed that leadership at the collegiate level should be recognized and encouraged across all phases of campus life. The motives which guided the founders sprang from the desire to bring together one body for the general good of the institution, leaders from all parts of the college or university community.

The success of the O∆K Idea, an essential part of which is its inter-generational nature and a determination to maintain a consistent and high standard of leadership recognition, led to the establishment of chapters, which we call circles, at other colleges. Initially, the founders had no intention of extending the Society to other college campuses. However, requests for charters began to come in from local groups at Johns Hopkins University, the University of Pittsburgh, and Davidson College. It was clear that the O∆K Idea was one that could benefit other institutions of higher learning. By 1917—just three years after founding the Alpha Circle—Omicron Delta Kappa became a national leadership honor society.

During World War I, O∆K remained intact in large part because of its faculty members—many of whom were too old to serve in the Army or Navy. After the war when students returned to their campuses, O∆K continued to grow and develop, chartering new circles at colleges and universities across the country.

Over time, the Society has become a more inclusive organization. Although the Society has not collected demographic information in the past, there are records of African American male members being initiated in the early 1970s. The first circle to be established at a Historically Black College or University (HBCU) was at Morris Brown College in 1976.

In 1974, the O∆K Biennial National Convention approved the initiation of women into the Society. Ten women, representing the New Jersey Institute of Technology and the University of South Florida – Tampa Circles, were initiated at the convention.

To learn more about the history of O∆K, we encourage you to read The Laurel Crowned Circle: Omicron Delta Kappa and 100 Years of Leadership. The book is for sale through our online store at National Headquarters for $10 (including shipping). Please contact us at 1-877-ODK-NHDQ (635-6437) or email odknhdq@odk.org.

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About O∆K

  • Mission, Vision, and Values
    • Notable Members
    • Founders’ Day
  • Fast Facts
  • Leadership
    • Board of Trustees
    • Emeriti Trustees
    • Student Advisory Board
    • Staff
  • Governance
    • Articles of Incorporation
    • National Bylaws
    • Governing Committees
    • Operating Committees
  • History of the Society
    • Our Founders
    • Circle Installations
    • Toward a More Inclusive Society
    • Women in Omicron Delta Kappa
    • Former National Presidents, Foundation Presidents, and Board Chairs
    • Timeline of Previous O∆K Governance Transitions

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O∆K, a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit, is a member of the Honor Society Caucus.

 

Johnson Center for Leadership 
O∆K National Headquarters
224 McLaughlin Street
Lexington, Virginia 24450-2002
1-(540) 458-5336
odknhdq@odk.org

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