The Omicron Delta Kappa National Leader of the Year program is named in memory of Gen. Russell E. Dougherty, United States Air Force. Gen. Dougherty (University of Louisville, 1947) was one of the Air Force’s best thinkers and planners and served as NATO’s Allied Command Europe headquarters chief of staff, commander in chief of the Strategic Air Command, and executive director of the U.S. Air Force Association.
Up to six award recipients are chosen by the National Awards Committee. The recipient of the Dougherty National Leader of the Year (NLOY) honor receives a $4,000 award, and each of the top individuals in the five pillars of campus life receive a $1,000 award.
- 2022 National Leader of the Year Recipients
- 2021 National Leader of the Year Recipients
- Past Recipients – Dougherty National Leader of the Year Award
Beginning in Fall 2022, all undergraduate members are eligible to apply for NLOY honors. Applicants must be a current undergraduate student at the time of their application, but may graduate and/or transition to graduate school during the selection process. (Note to advisors: There is no longer a requirement for students to be designated Circle Leader of the Year prior to applying for NLOY. Multiple students from one institution may also apply.)
National Leader of the Year Application Process
The NLOY application will open via Kaleidoscope on Oct. 15 and close on Dec. 15, 2022.
Applicants will choose which of the six awards to apply for, and can apply for as many as desired. However, an applicant is limited to only winning one award. O∆K has prepared supplemental materials to assist students in preparing to apply for these awards:
Each award application requires completion of written statements, a resume and transcript, and the name of a reference. Applicants may be asked to interview via Zoom with the National Awards Committee as part of the review process. Applications are not considered complete until the student submits all required elements, and the reference submits their letter.
O∆K will host informational webinars on the NLOY application and selection process beginning in Fall 2022. Students interested in applying may also schedule a time to speak with Jamie Bouldin, Director for Membership Services, or contact her via email at jamie@odk.org.
