About the Circle

Truman’s ODK Circle was chartered May 2, 1994. The circle received the Circle of Distinction Award in 2002, 2008, and 2009 and Superior Circle Award in 2002. In 1998, Truman member Alan Bancroft was a strong voice at the National Convention for more student involvement in the National Organization. As a result of this advocacy, there are now more student positions at the national level. Truman Circle Faculty Advisor Dr. Jack Magruder served on the President’s Leadership panel at the 1998 convention. The Truman Circle has had two members (Jake Cowan and Patrick Cross) receive Province 11 Leader of the Year awards, and Jake Cowan served as the Province 11 Student Director. Four members (Jake Cowan, Patrick Cross, Leah Himmelberg, and Stephanie Vandas) have received foundation scholarships for graduate study. Dr. David Hoffman, Faculty Secretary (now Circle Coordinator), received the Province 14 Outstanding Faculty Secretary Award in 2003. Natalie Soltys was elected at the National Convention in 2008 to a two-year term as an ODK Region IV Director (all Circles west of the Mississippi) and chaired the 2009 Region IV Conference in Kansas City.

The circle has sponsored the annual ODK Student Hall of Fame Awards since 1994 and the Dr. Jack Magruder Faculty and Mrs. Verona Nichols Staff ODK Hall of Fame Awards since 2003. On April 29, 2006, the Truman Circle of ODK dedicated the President’s Garden in honor of President and ODK Faculty Advisor Emeritus Dr. Jack Magruder. The garden is located on the university quadrangle in front of Kirk Memorial. The garden preserves historical flowers cultivated by President Kirk (peonies) and President Ryle (daylilies and irises). In 2006, Maria Spilker and JoAnn Jorgovan attended the Campus Leaders Today, Community Leaders Tomorrow program in New York City. Two more members, Heidi Kaplan and Natalie Soltys attended this program during the summer of 2007. Under the leadership of past-president Kathleen Redmon, the Circle received a Clay Leadership grant for $500 in 2008 to assist in funding the inaugural year of Truman’s Professional Development Institute in 2008-09.

Honors and Awards

2017 Circle of Distinction

2016 Circle of Distinction

2012 Circle of Distinction