About the Circle
Omicron Delta Kappa, Penn State Behrend Circle, was chartered on April 19, 1985.
The predecessor of the Penn State Behrend Circle of Omicron Delta Kappa was an organization, chartered locally under the Greek Letters Omicron Beta Kappa. It was established at the College in the Spring of 1982 and functioned actively in a manner consistent with the ODK purpose between 1982 and 1985. Since it was chartered, the Penn State Behrend Circle has initiated over 700 members. In April 2011 our Chancellor, Dr. Donald Birx, was inducted, joining former Behrend leaders, and charter members, Dr. Jack Burke and Dr. John Lilley in this tradition. Currently we have 35 active student members who meet weekly focusing on ways to include the five pillars of ODK in their educational, service and social activities.
Programs
Three Miles for Smiles, a 5K run/walk held for Operation Smile ( http://www.operationsmile.org/ ) will enter its fourth year this Spring. All proceeds from the event go directly toward funding surgeries for children with cleft palate and other facial deformities. The event is open to all and is held on the beautiful Penn State Behrend campus. Despite years of rain, wind and even snow ODK, Behrend Circle has been able to fund five surgeries thus far. The Spring 2014 event was held as a Stache Dash with mustache themed t-shirts, advertising and runners! ODK, Behrend Circle was awarded the Penn State Behrend 2014 Center for Service, Phenomenal Philanthropy Award for their work with Operation Smile and the Stache Dash!
Honors and Awards
Penn State Behrend Center for Service has awarded ODK, Penn State Behrend Circle with the 2014 Outstanding Contribution and Phenomenal Philanthropy Awards as well as the 2012 Pioneer Award. We have also been recognized by ODK National Headquarters as a Circle of Distinction for 2012, 2013 and 2014.
At the 2014 Penn State Behrend Honors and Awards Convocation members received the following awards: Outstanding Adult Learner, Outstanding Psychology Student, Outstanding President, Outstanding Member Representing Service and Philanthropy, Outstanding Senior Achievement for Service, the Eric A. and Josephine S. Walker Award, Sam and Irene Black School of Business International Business Award, T. Reed Ferguson Award, Paul Lukasik Service Award, Thomas H. Turnbull Award, Sam and Irene Black School of Business Accounting Award, Outstanding Student Organization Member Award, School of Science Academic Excellence in Physics Award, and the School of Engineering Electrical Engineering Award.
2017 Circle of Distinction
2015 Superior Circle
2014 Circle of Distinction
2014 Maurice A. Clay Leadership Development Initiative Grant
2013 Circle of Distinction
