Periodically, Omicron Delta Kappa has the opportunity to share news and announcements about member achievements. Below are some of the accomplishments and passages reported since throughout Summer and Fall 2022.
Collegiate Member News
- Arianna Aman (University at Albany, 2013) is serving as a 2022-23 Dairy Ambassador.
- Claudia Barnett (Washington and Lee University, 2022) was named to the 2021-22 CoSIDA Academic All-District At-Large Team. Barnett was a star swimmer at W&L. She was also named to the 2021-22 Academic All-America At-Large third teams for women’s sports. In addition, Barnett selected by the Virginia Sports Information Directors (VaSID) to be a member of the 2021-22 Academic All-State Team.
- Elizabeth “Eliza” J. Beaudin (2021) has been named to the 2021-22 Academic All-America Division III Women’s At-Large Second Team after earning First Team All-District honors earlier in the year. She was also named the Division III Commissioner’s Association (DIIICA) Women’s Student-Athlete of the Year. In addition, Beaudin was selected as the 2021-22 Empire 8 Co-Woman of the Year and the 2021-22 DIIICA Regional Student-Athlete of the Year.
- Jessica B. Burstrem (University of Maryland, Baltimore County, 2022) was awarded the Publicly Engaged Research and Storywork Fellowship in its inaugural year. This fellowship is provided by the UMBC Language, Literacy & Culture program, where Burstrem is completing her Ph.D. She intends to use the award toward training and research for her dissertation on the 50-year Native American movement to change the name of the Washington football team.
- Brendon J. Camp (Lamar University, 2022) has been accepted into the law school at Harvard University.
- Supriya Challa (University of Kentucky, 2020) was profiled in one of the university’s commencement communications.
- Micaela D. Champion (McDaniel College, 2020) was featured in a commencement communication from her school.
- Ishaan Chatterjee (University of Miami, 2020) was profiled in one of the university’s commencement communications.
- Katherine “KC” S. Collins (Brevard College, 2019) was recognized for her achievements as a member of the school’s lacrosse team.
- Letizia D’Avenia (Florida International University, 2021) had her work with the FIU Roarthon (Dance Marathon) profiled in a Miami-based publication.
- Callie G. Dickinson (University of Georgia, 2020) was named to the CoSIDA Academic All-District At-Large Team for women’s swimming.
- Thao N. Dinh (Trinity University, 2020) completed an internship with Gemini Ink.
- Kasey T. Draper (Roanoke College, 2021) was named All ODAC, ODAC Men’s Basketball Scholar-Athlete of the Year, D3hoops.com All Region, CoSIDA Academic All District, as well as the only non-senior to be named a CoSIDA Academic All American. During the season, Draper became the latest member of the Roanoke College 1,000 Point Club and the 2022 RC Outstanding male Athlete of the Year.
- Shelly N. Freund (Elon University, 2022) was profiled in one of the school’s commencement communications.
- Amaya M. Gaines (Elon University, 2022) is the 2022 recipient of the Hilaire Pickett ’08 Leadership Grant at Elon.
- Grace K. Holmes (Elon University, 2021) was profiled in one of the school’s commencement communications.
- Caroline G. Kernell (Wake Forest University, 2020) was profiled in a WFU commencement communication.
- Eleanor “Elli” M. Kluegel (Loyola University Maryland, 2019) was named to the Academic All-District II Team for women’s lacrosse. She was also named to the CoSIDA Academic All-America Team twice, being selected to the at-large first team. In addition, she was selected for the IWLCA Scholar-Athlete of the Year award, as announced by the Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA).
- Karsten T. Lagerquist (Grove City College, 2021) was named the President’s Athletic Conference as a Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
- Tirzah A. Lloyd (Grove City College, 2021) was named the Sportswoman of the Year by her school. She was also selected by the President’s Athletic Conference as a Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
- Jessica N. Maung (Union College, 2017) was profiled as a medical student at the University of Michigan by the institution.
- Jasmine F. Meade (Merrimack College, 2021) was profiled as rising from an intern to an engineer with BLW as part of her school’s graduation communications program.
- Hannah L. Meyer (William Woods University, 2021) has been named the American Midwest Conference (AMC) A.O. Duer Scholarship award winner.
- Grant M. Mitchell (Coastal Carolina University, 2021) has been selected as a NASA Pathways Intern.
- Isabella M. Nangano (Oglethorpe University, 2021) is the 2022 recipient of the Omicron Delta Kappa Emerging Leadership Award at Oglethorpe University.
- Ciara R. O’Brien (McDaniel College, 2021) was profiled as part of the commencement communications for her school. She was the senior editor for the McDaniel Free Press.
- Aidan M. Olmstead (Loyola University Maryland, 2019) was named the Patriot League Men’s Lacrosse Scholar-Athlete of the year for the second-straight season. He was also was selected for the CoSIDA Academic All-District II Team for men’s lacrosse. In addition, Olmstead was selected as the 2022 Patriot League Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
- Nyah A. Phengsitthy (Elon University, 2021) has been awarded a Scripps Howard Foundation internship stipend.
- Charis S. Pitter (University of Miami, 2021) was profiled in her alma mater’s commencement communications.
- Allison A. Potter (Elon University, 2021) received a Rotary International graduate scholarship to study abroad. She was also profiled in one of the school’s commencement communications.
- Ryan L. Puglisi (Union College, 2019) was named to the 2022 CoSIDA Academic All-District Men’s At-Large Team for the second straight year in a row. He was also honored as the 2021-22 Liberty League Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
- Kyle Ramsey (University of Houston, 2020) was named the Male Academic Cougar of the Year at his alma mater.
- Emily Robinson (Lamar University, 2022) was featured in one of her school’s graduation communications.
- Hailey B. Shuman (Fontbonne University, 2021) has received this year’s Jo Anne J. Trow Scholarship from Alpha Lambda Delta.
- Andrew H. “Hamp” Sisson (Furman University, 2020) received the Dr. Gary Clark Student-Athlete Achievement Award and Dr. John M. Block Academic Award from Furman in recognition of his accomplishments as a football student-athlete.
- Melvin R. “Richard” Springer (University of Mississippi, 2021) was profiled in an Ole Miss commencement communication.
- Alessandra “Allie” K. Stankewich (Washington and Lee University, 2022) received a David L. Boren Scholarship from the National Security Education Program to study abroad in Tanzania in Fall 2022.
- Alexandra L. Strouse (Elon University, 2022) was profiled in one of the university’s commencement communications.
- Peter A. Walkwitz (Simpson College, 2019) was named to the men’s Academic All-District men’s tennis team by CoSIDA.
- Olivia A. Weinel (Shenandoah University, 2022) is this year’s recipient of the Marjorie Berkley Award presented by the Old Dominion Athletic Conference.
- Danielle F. Wendt (McDaniel College, 2021) was also spotlighted by her school in a commencement communication.
- Emily P. Wilbourne (Elon University, 2021) was the 2022 PERCS Outstanding Ethnography Award recipient at Elon University.
- Dejani D. Willis (University of Massachusetts Lowell, 2022) was recently profiled as an outstanding student by her alma mater.
- Ariana L. Wilson (Elon University, 2021) is the 2022 recipient of the W.L. Monroe Christian Education and Personality Award at Elon.
- Several members of the Sigma Circle at the University of Maryland, College Park, were selected to as commencement marshals for the Spring 2022 ceremonies. The group includes Macauley G. Brown (2020), Minahil Cheeha (2022), Jenna Cohen (2021), Kyle J. Dineen (2021), Laura Dineen (2021), Umilla Fatima (2021), Emily Frocke (2021), Madelyn Grace Harris (2021), Dahye King (2021), Emily C. Leo (2021), Michael Charles Mareno (2021), Matthew D. Ober (2021), Megha Sevalia (2021), Alythia Vo (2021), and Gabriel Ellen Winter (2021).
Higher Education News
- Luis C. Almeida (Talladega College, 2021) received honorable mention honors for Outstanding Educator of the Year in 2022 Social Impact Awards presented by PR News. He was the winner of the Outstanding HBCU Educator of the Year Award.
- Sydney L. Anderson (Shenandoah University, 2013) is the new director of athletic communications at Washington and Lee University.
- James J. Annarelli (Eckerd College, 2004) has been appointed interim president of the college. Annarelli has long served the institution as its dean of students.
- John N. Banter (Georgetown College, 2008) has been elected director-at-large for the Association of Leadership Educators.
- Matthew Antonio Bosch (Elon University, 2019) has been named the new vice dean and director for community engagement and inclusion within the Office of Admissions at the University of Pennsylvania.
- Seulgi L. Byun (Grove City College, 2021) was named that institution’s Professor of the Year.
- Kelly Corrigan (University of Richmond, 1988) gave the commencement address at her alma mater this past spring.
- Kenneth “Kenn” Gaither (Elon University, 2016) was named the interim dean of the School of Communications at Elon. Gaither (Elon University, 2016) was also a nominee (and honorable mention award-winner) for the Outstanding Educator of the Year in 2022 Social Impact Awards presented by PR News.
- Roxane Gay (Michigan Technological University, 2008) has been appointed the Gloria Steinem Endowed Chair in Media, Culture and Feminist Studies at Rutgers University.
- Kimberly A. Griffin (University of Maryland, College Park, 2000) has been named the dean of the College of Education at Maryland.
- Alexandra O. Hendley (Southwestern University, 2006) is the 2022 recipient of the College of Humanities and Fine Arts Excellence in Service Award at Murray State University.
- Barbara B. Henry (Oglethorpe University, 2000) is the 2022 recipient of the Omicron Delta Kappa Outstanding Staff Member Award at Oglethorpe.
- Siwei Lyu (University at Albany, 2018) has been elected a fellow of the International Association for Pattern Recognition.
- Coty J. Martin (West Virginia Wesleyan University, 2021) was honored with the Faculty Member of the Year Award from the student senate at WVWU.
- Fran’Cee McClure-Brown (Union College, 2019) has been selected as the vice president for student affairs at Jackson State University.
- Shawn C. McGuffey (Transylvania University, 1996) will return to his alma to serve as the 2023 Kenan Distinguished Visiting Professor.
- John C. Nardo (University of North Georgia, 1999) was the 2022 recipient of the Omicron Delta Kappa Emerging Leadership Award at Oglethorpe University. Nardo is the Society’s long-time advisor at Oglethorpe.
- Hollis Robbins (Johns Hopkins University, 1983) has been named the new dean of the College of Humanities at the University of Utah.
- Parish P. Shah (Juniata College, 2000) gave the commencement address at her alma mater in May.
- Joseph C. Shields (University of Kansas, 1986) has announced his retirement from the position of Vice President for Research and Creative Activity and Dean of the Graduate College Joe Shields at Ohio University.
- Kendall M. Stiles (Georgia College, 2002) was recognized with the Giving Tree Award by Georgia College. Since 1996, this award has been given by the GIVE Center at Georgia College to a person who has left a lasting legacy of service at the university.
- Stanley E. Sweeney (University of North Carolina – Asheville, 2021) has been named executive director of campus life at Washington University in St. Louis.
- James “Jamie” E. Washington (University of Maryland, Baltimore County, 1994) was the commencement speaker at MassBay Community College.
- Susan A. Wente’s (University of Iowa, 1982) presidential inauguration ceremony at Wake Forest University was profiled by Inside Higher Education. Wente was the president her circle when she was an undergraduate.
Lifetime Member News
- Monica Best-James (North Carolina Wesleyan University, 1980) was elected chairperson of the Consumer Protection Council of the Consumer Protection Division of the Office of the Attorney General in Maryland.
- Jack E. Bresenham (Winthrop University, 1996) is the 2003 recipient of the Outstanding Engineering Alumni Award from the University of New Mexico. He has served on the Wofford College National Alumni Association and the Clovis (New Mexico) Municipal School Foundation. He has also been recognized twice by IBM for his work and is the 2001 recipient of the Golden Quill award in recognition of his work to improve writing skills among computer science students at Winthrop University.
- Fatima H. Callahan (Lake Forest College, 2016) was profiled in CIO News.
- Maurice “Moe” Cole (Washington and Lee University, 2019) was recently profiled in one of his alma mater’s communications.
- A documentary about Sheryl S. Crow (University of Missouri – Columbia, 1983) has recently been released.
- Herbert P. “Paul” Dove (Erskine College, 1965) has been named the South Carolina Lion of the Year by the Lions Club.
- Colleen N. Fonseca (St. John’s University, 2014) has been appointed the executive director of the Builders of Color Coalition in greater Boston, Massachusetts.
- David C. Frederick (University of Pittsburgh, 1981) made a significant donation to support the honor colleges at the university.
- Michael J. Glasgow (College of Charleston, 1997) conducted his new composition “Gloria” at Carnegie Hall this summer.
- While Meya Hargett (California State University Northridge, 1999) was mentoring for AmeriCorps for the 2021-22 school year at Central Juvenile Hall, her scholars’ art exhibit was featured on the Kern County Superintendent of School’s (KCSOS) Instagram account and the bi-weekly newsletter.
- Silas W. Kelly (Adelphi University, 2013) recently began a two-year term as the duly elected vice president of the National Association of Social Workers, New York State Chapter Board of Directors.
- William B. Long (University of South Carolina – Columbia, 1962) has been named a Top Lawyer by Marquis Who’s Who.
- Stefanos J. Marcopoulos (University at Albany, 2007) has launched an internship program for UAlbany students at American Express.
- Bernice Mireku-North (University of Maryland, College Park, 2002) is a candidate for state attorney in the State of Maryland.
- David A. Nichols (Purdue University, 1975) received the Purdue Animal Science Distinguished Career Award from his alma mater.
- An anonymous $500,000 gift has been made to the Kenneth O. Okoth (St. Lawrence University, 2000) Black American Music Project at SLU. Okoth passed away in 2019.
- Matthew S. Primous (SUNY Brockport, 2015) was recently appointed and received approval from the UN High Commissioner of Refugees and UN Secretary General to be a UN Ambassador of Refugees.
- Amber B. Raisner (Union College, 2021) has been named the assistant women’s basketball coach at Yale University.
- Thais R. Ridgeway (University of Pittsburgh, 2012) is leading efforts in her area to end relationship abuse. She was also Miss New York United States in 2020.
- Amanda S. Strickland (Louisiana State University, 1999) received the United Way’s Chairman’s Award for serving as the 2021-22 Board Chair of Capitol Area United Way (Louisiana).
Obituaries
- Denslow E. Bolte (University of Missouri – Columbia, 1957) died in early August.
- W. “Bill” de Grummond (Florida State University, 1971) passed away in late July.
- Stephen C. Edds (University of Mississippi, 1969) died in March.
- Caroline S. Fullerton (Rollins College, 2009) passed away in June.
- C. Gilbreath (University of Arkansas, 1956) died in August.
- Richard E. Hodges (Emory University, 1950) passed away in January.
- Lyle Hymer-Thompson (Bowling Green State University, 1965) died in April.
- Allen K. Jackson (University of Denver, 1952) passed away in May.
- Scott A. Kelly (Pennsylvania State University, Altoona, 2000) died in May of this year.
- Alan L. Murphree (University of Mississippi, 1965) passed away in March.
- Lewis Wendell Page, Jr. (Auburn University, 1970) died in early May.
- Vincent D. Palumbo (University of Maryland, College Park, 1956) passed away in August.
- Hans W. Osterhoudt (Colorado State University, 1957) died in March.
- Mickey A. Smith (University of Mississippi, 1969) passed away in July.
- Dorman G. Stout (East Tennessee State University, 1981) died in June.
- Jack B. Weldy (University of Southern Mississippi, 1956) passed away in May.