Each year, Omicron Delta Kappa recognizes its most outstanding student leaders with the Gen. Russell E. Dougherty National Leader of the Year honors. Individual circles nominate a student to be their Circle Leader of the Year. These students receive a certificate and are invited to apply for National Leader of the Year honors. The Society recognizes a student in each of the five phases of campus life celebrated by O∆K: scholarship; athletics; campus or community service; journalism, speech, and the mass media; and, creative and performing arts. Each of these individuals receives a $1,000 award. In 2020, there was not a qualified arts candidate for this honor. The committee also selects one student to receive the Gen. Russell E. Dougherty National Leader of the Year Award, which comes with a $4,000 prize.
This program is named in memory of Gen. Russell E. Dougherty (University of Louisville, 1947). Gen. Dougherty was a one-time member of the Federal Bureau of Investigations. He also served in the U.S. Air Force as commander in chief of the Strategic Air Command and director of strategic target planning.
Katelyn Marie Boisvert
Emory University
Gen. Russell E. Dougherty National Leader of the Year
Katelyn earned her undergraduate degree, with a major in environmental studies and a minor in sustainability studies, in May 2020. She served as the Emory University Circle president, received the James E. Foy Phi Eta Sigma Scholarship, and was awarded a 2019 Udall scholarship. Katelyn was also recognized as an Emory 100 Senior Honors Scholar. She competed on the Emory University Equestrian Team, served as an orientation leader, and worked as a teaching assistant for the Department of Environmental Science. As a community leader, Katelyn also volunteered for the Chastain Horse Park in Atlanta and Stride Ahead.
One of Katelyn’s passions is protecting the environment. She was the student representative on the Emory University Energy and Water Task Force. Katelyn was also the sustainability chair for the Residence Hall Gen. Russell E. Dougherty National Leader of the Year Council, a committee member on the Emory Climate Analysis and Solutions Team, and the student delegate on the Emory University Senate Committee on the Environment.
In her application for the award, Katelyn wrote, “Growing up in Arizona molded my perspective on environmental conservation—especially water resources—and I learned to regard nature as a treasure meant to be encountered with both appreciation and responsibility.” She also wrote, “The field of environmental sustainability represents the crossroads of my interests in natural science, human influence, and societal actions. I want to engage with the choices people make concerning the environment, impacts of those decisions, and motivating others toward support.” Katelyn is now enrolled in the School for Environment and Sustainability at the University of Michigan.
Grace McGrath
University at Albany
Journalism, Speech, and the Mass Media
Grace earned her degree in business administration along with a minor in education. She was the public relations officer and digital producer for the UAlbany United Nations Association, a member of the University at Albany Student Association, and a member of Women Excelling in Business. Grace’s other honors include receiving the Alumni Association Spirit Scholarship, Terra Award, and the Student Affairs Excellence Award. In addition, she was a volunteer policy director with Think Ocean. This nonprofit organization seeks to bring awareness to the significance of the world’s oceans in discussions regarding climate concerns. Throughout her undergraduate career, Grace averaged completing 20 hours of community service each week. She hopes to run for public office one day.
Brian Peccie
Washington and Lee University
Athletics
Brian was a dual major in economics and mathematics and graduated in May 2020. His honors include President’s List, Pi Mu Epsilon, and Phi Eta Sigma. Brian was a 2017 PwC Challenge Case Competition Winner and was also an NCAA Arnold Palmer Award recipient. He was the two-time team captain of the W&L Varsity Men’s Golf Team. Brian won the NCAA Division III Individual National Championship and several other national and conference golf honors, including being recognized three times as an ODAC All-Academic Team member. He also served on the Senior Gift Committee and as a University Ambassador tour guide. Brian is currently working as an analyst for Lincoln International, a global middle market investment bank, and enjoying playing golf again – simply for fun.
Christine Rhee
University of Maryland, College Park
Campus and Community Service
Christine received her Bachelor of Science degree, with a major in middle school math and science education and a minor in Spanish language and linguistics. She was the membership and initiation chair for the Sigma Circle. Christine was also the vice president of the Maryland chapter of Kappa Delta Pi and a senior ambassador and senator for the College of Education with the University of Maryland Senate. Christine received the OMSE Academy of Academic Excellence Award, the William F. Kirwan Award for Outstanding Junior, and the National Residence Hall Honorary Member of the Year Award. Her other honors include being recognized with the Global Health Scholars Outstanding Citizen Award. Christine is currently pursuing a career and additional training in education.
Brooke Williams
Centenary College of Louisiana
Scholarship
Brooke received her Bachelor of Science degree, with majors in biology and neuroscience, in 2020. She began medical school at the Louisiana State University-Shreveport in July. Brooke was the vice president of the Centenary College Circle. She also served her campus as Chi Omega chapter president and as a justice for the College Honor Court. Brooke was a member of the Centenary Maroon Jackets and the ACS Chemistry Club. For her service and accomplishments, Brooke was recognized with membership in Tri Beta, Alpha Epsilon Delta, and Order of Omega. During her undergraduate career, Brooke also volunteered extensively in the community, including serving the MLK Health Center, ARC of Caddo-Bossier Goldman School, Glen Retirement System, and Make-A-Wish Foundation.
