Lexington, Va. (May 24, 2021) – Emily Heather Berry, a native of Annapolis and a 2018 initiate of the University of Maryland, College Park Circle of Omicron Delta Kappa, has been named the Society’s Gen. Russell E. Dougherty National Leader of the Year. This award is the Society’s highest collegiate honor. The award comes with a $4,000 prize.
The announcement of the election was made by Tara S. Singer, president and chief executive officer of O∆K. Singer said, “Omicron Delta Kappa is pleased to recognize the outstanding leadership achievements made by Emily Berry through her service to the University of Maryland, College Park community and beyond. She embodies the Society’s ideals of collaboration, inclusivity, integrity, scholarship, and service in all of her endeavors.”
Berry has served the Sigma Circle at Maryland as its alumni and membership engagement chair. Previously, she was recognized by the circle with one of its Top Ten Freshman Awards. Berry received her Bachelor of Arts with a major in government and politics earlier this month, and she will be completing a Master of Public Policy at Maryland in 2022. During the upcoming academic year, she will be serving as the president of the Sigma Circle.
In addition to being involved with O∆K during her collegiate career, Berry has been very active in residence life at Maryland. She has served as a resident assistant, president of the Residence Hall Association (RHA), and a member of the Service Committee for the National Residence Hall Honorary. Berry was the Student of the Year Runner-Up for the Central Atlantic Region of College and University Residence Halls, and she was also named the RHA President of the Year in 2020.
Berry has also been active in student government by serving as the assistant vice president of the Committee on Financial Affairs and a member of the SGA Governmental Affairs Committee. She was a member of the Student Alumni Leadership Council and an undergraduate student representative for the College of Behavioral Sciences in the University Senate Executive Committee, Student Affairs Committee, and Nominations Committee. Berry also worked as a teaching and research assistant in the Department of Government and Politics.
Previously, Berry has been honored with numerous awards, scholarships, and other recognitions. She received the Kiyomi D. Harper Omicron Delta Kappa Sigma Circle, Katherine Pedro and Robert S. Beardsley, Morinigo Family Terpstart, University of Maryland Alumni Association, Student Government Association Student Leadership, and Murray E. Polakoff scholarships. Berry also received several scholarships associated with political leaders in Maryland during her undergraduate career. In addition to being a member of O∆K, she is also a member of Kappa Omega Alpha, a public policy professional fraternity and honorary.
In addition to her campus activities, Berry has served as the fundraising coordinator for the Broadneck Chapter of Habitat for Humanity, a marketing and development intern for Vikara Village (part of the Do Good Impact Interns Programs), a legislative intern for the Maryland General Assembly, and a communications intern for the Office of the Maryland Governor.
About receiving the award, Berry said, “I feel incredibly honored to be receiving this award from an organization that, ever since my sophomore year, has made me a stronger leader, supported me personally, and inspired me daily to do my best to live up to O∆K’s ideals. I am so thankful for the support of the University of Maryland, my friends and family, and everyone who encouraged me to take on the positions and projects that have given me the opportunity to help change my community for the better. I will carry the leadership lessons that I have gained from the University of Maryland and Omicron Delta Kappa throughout my future career and the rest of my life.”
After completing her master’s degree, Berry intends to pursue a career in law. As an undergraduate, she was a student advocate and legal intern in the Undergraduate Student Legal Aid Office.
Omicron Delta Kappa Society, the National Leadership Honor Society, was founded in Lexington, Virginia, on December 3, 1914. A group of 15 students and faculty members established the Society to recognize and encourage leadership at the collegiate level. The founders established the O∆K Idea—the concept that individuals representing all phases of collegiate life should collaborate with faculty and others to support the campus and community. O∆K’s mission is to honor and develop leaders; encourage collaboration among students, faculty, staff, and alumni; and promote O∆K’s ideals of collaboration, inclusivity, integrity, scholarship, and service college and university campuses throughout North America. The Society’s national headquarters are located in Lexington, Virginia.
Contact
- Tara S. Singer, president and chief executive officer, Omicron Delta Kappa, (540) 458-5340, tara@odk.org
