Lexington, Va. (May 25, 2021) – Erin E. Hughes, a native of Raleigh and a 2021 initiate of the Washington and Lee University Circle of Omicron Delta Kappa, has been named the Society’s National Leader of the Year in Athletics. This award is one of the Society’s highest collegiate honors, and it comes with a $1,000 prize.
The announcement of the election was made by Tara S. Singer, president and chief executive officer of O∆K. Singer said, “Erin Hughes is a great representative of what it means to truly be a student-athlete. She has excelled as a leader on the women’s basketball team and in the classroom at W&L. Erin has earned the tremendous respect of her teammates, coaches, faculty, and fellow Alpha Circle members.”
Later this week, Hughes will receive her Bachelor of Science with a major in cognitive and behavioral sciences at Washington and Lee. She has also earned two minors: one in poverty and human capability studies and another in women, gender, and sexuality studies. Hughes intends to next pursue a degree in law.
Hughes served as the team captain for the women’s basketball at W&L for two years. She was on the Old Dominion Athletic Conference All-Academic Team for four years and was the Defensive Player of the Year in 2019. She also earned First Team All-Conference, Second Team All-State, and Second Team All-Conference honors during her collegiate career. Hughes also coordinated and moderated an award-winning event entitled “RISE: The Athlete Experience” that highlighted the experience of Black student-athletes at Washington and Lee. She was also chosen to be a participant in her alma mater’s prestigious Generals Leadership Academy.
In addition to her athletics-related involvements, Hughes served as an ambassador for the Office of Inclusion and Engagement. She is a member of both Alpha Delta Pi and served as a Rho Gamma volunteer supporting sorority rush at Washington and Lee. Hughes was also a student facilitator for the university’s First Year Experience course.
Hughes has also been active in several off-campus programs. She has served as an instructional assistant at the Hill Learning Center. Hughes has been a Volunteer Assistant Basketball Coach at Rockbridge County High School and a tutor at Harrington Waddell Elementary School. She has also volunteered with the Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) program.
About receiving the award, Hughes said, “Athletics has always been such an integral part of my life and has shaped me into the person and leader I am today. Receiving this honor, specifically in athletics, means a lot to me. This recognition is a reflection of all my coaches, teammates, athletic director, and family members who have supported me no matter what, encouraged me to believe in myself, and challenged me to work hard and be passionate about everything I do.”
Omicron Delta Kappa Society, the National Leadership Honor Society, was founded in Lexington, Virginia, on December 3, 1914. A group of 15 students and faculty members established the Society to recognize and encourage leadership at the collegiate level. The founders established the O∆K Idea—the concept that individuals representing all phases of collegiate life should collaborate with faculty and others to support the campus and community. O∆K’s mission is to honor and develop leaders; encourage collaboration among students, faculty, staff, and alumni; and promote O∆K’s ideals of collaboration, inclusivity, integrity, scholarship, and service college and university campuses throughout North America. The Society’s national headquarters are located in Lexington, Virginia.
Contact
Tara S. Singer, president and chief executive officer, Omicron Delta Kappa, (540) 458-5340, tara@odk.org
