In 2010, Omicron Delta Kappa acquired the historic Lexington, Virginia, train station as a permanent home for our national headquarters in the community where the Society was founded. A successful campaign secured $415,000 for O∆K to purchase the building, originally constructed in 1883 by the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. The building, designed by B&O’s principal architect E. Francis Baldwin, incorporated characteristics of Queen Anne and Gothic Revival styles, with such hallmarks as steep gabled roofs and towers, wooden-supported brackets, oriel windows, and glass accents. Eventually, Omicron Delta Kappa will seek to build an endowment of $500,000 to support annual care for the building and affirm O∆K’s commitment to preserving a community landmark.
The Richard S. Johnson family has made a major campaign gift to support the renovation and preservation of this wonderful facility. As of July 1, 2021, the building is named the Joyce E. and Richard S. Johnson Center for Leadership and the Omicron Delta Kappa Society and Educational Foundation, Inc. National Headquarters.
There is also a desire to capture the rich history and heritage of Omicron Delta Kappa. The Omicron Delta Kappa Archives Initiative will create a formal digital archival at the National Headquarters to showcase O∆K’s story, people, and contributions. The archives will include a digital hall of fame representing distinguished members, a photographic timeline explaining the significance of the O∆K Idea and milestones in the organization’s history.
During the current campaign, a total of $450,000 is being sought in outright support toward a renovation, including the following:
- Digital archives technology ($25,000)
- Offices ($25,000 each; three to four offices)
- Kitchen renovation ($10,000)
- Patio and garden ($125,000)
- Deck and entrance area ($50,000)
Naming opportunities are available for these capital improvements.
