A Lifetime of Service and Impact
The Omicron Delta Kappa Society and Educational Foundation Board of Trustees have named Maurice A. Jones (Hampden-Sydney College, 1984) as the 2026 recipient of the Pillar of Leadership in Service to Campus and Community award. This honor recognizes members who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and a deep commitment to serving others, reflecting the highest ideals of Omicron Delta Kappa—scholarship, service, integrity, character, and fellowship.
The award was presented on Sunday, March 22, 2026, at Hampden-Sydney College. Jones was initiated into Omicron Delta Kappa in 1984, the same year he graduated as valedictorian. He was also selected as a Rhodes Scholar, marking an early commitment to academic excellence and leadership.
Throughout his distinguished career, Jones has been a driving force in expanding economic opportunity and advancing social equity. As former president and CEO of OneTen, he led a coalition of more than 60 employers dedicated to creating one million family-sustaining career opportunities for Black Americans without requiring a four-year degree. In his role as president of the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), he oversaw the investment of more than $2 billion annually into underserved communities, helping to strengthen neighborhoods and improve quality of life across the country.
Jones’s impact extends beyond the nonprofit sector into public service, where he has held multiple leadership roles in the Commonwealth of Virginia. In each position, he has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to building stronger communities and creating pathways to opportunity for all.
His work exemplifies the spirit of servant leadership that Omicron Delta Kappa seeks to recognize. Through his vision, collaboration, and dedication, Jones continues to inspire meaningful change and empower individuals and communities alike.
A respected leader in both civic and professional spheres, Jones embodies the values at the heart of Omicron Delta Kappa. His lifelong commitment to service and leadership makes him a fitting recipient of the Pillar of Leadership in Service to Campus and Community award.
Founded in 1914 at Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Virginia, Omicron Delta Kappa, the National Leadership Honor Society, recognizes and encourages achievement in scholarship, athletics, service, communications, and the arts. The Society continues to honor individuals whose lives exemplify leadership and integrity in every field of endeavor.
