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Omicron Delta Kappa

Omicron Delta Kappa

The National Leadership Honor Society

  • About
    • Mission, Vision, and Values
      • Notable Members
      • Founders’ Day
    • Leading in the 21st Century: FY 2022-24 O∆K Strategic Plan
    • Fast Facts
    • Leadership
      • Board of Trustees
      • Emeriti Trustees
      • Student Advisory Board
      • Staff
    • Governance
      • 2023 Elections for Student and Faculty/Staff Trustees
      • Articles of Incorporation
      • National Bylaws
      • Governing Committees
      • Operating Committees
      • Omicron Delta Kappa Policies and Procedures
    • History of the Society
      • Our Founders
      • Toward a More Inclusive Society
      • Women in Omicron Delta Kappa
      • Former National Presidents, Foundation Presidents, and Board Chairs
      • Circle Installations
    • Commitment to Diversity and Equal Opportunity
  • Members
    • Prospective Members
    • Collegiate Members
    • Lifetime Members
      • Help Our Circles Thrive
      • Become a National Level Volunteer
      • Governance and Fundraising Volunteer Opportunities
    • Member Benefits
    • Volunteer to Help O∆K
    • Update Your O∆K Record
    • Read The Circle
  • Programs
    • National Leadership Conference
      • 2023 National Leadership Conference
      • Past National Conventions
    • National Leadership and Service Awards
    • Scholarships
    • National Day of Service
      • National Day of Service Report
      • 2021 National Day of Service Stories
    • Clay Leadership Development Grants
    • Stone Ethical Leadership Challenge
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  • Circles
    • Find a Circle
    • Membership Fees
    • Circle Officers (Advisors and Student Officers)
      • Dates and Deadlines
      • Member Management System
      • Monthly Officer Updates Newsletter
      • Recruitment and Selection
      • Initiation
      • Branding, Templates, and Downloads
      • Circle Reports and Forms
      • Recognition and Awards
      • Webinars and Training
    • Resources to Promote Leadership Embracing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity
      • Circle Programming and Practices
      • Andristine M. Robinson Champion Award for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity
      • Glossary of Terms
      • Key Fund
      • Organizations Advocating for Social Justice
      • Publications Focused on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity
      • Toward a More Inclusive Society
      • Websites Focused on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity
    • Establish a New Circle
      • Extension Process
    • Contact Us
  • Shop
  • Donate
    • National Day of Giving
    • Give Now
    • The Campaign for Our Second Century
      • Campaign Giving Opportunities
      • Scholarships for Collegiate Members
      • Opportunity Fund (Gift of Membership)
      • Key Fund
      • Developing the Campus Leaders of Today
      • Collaborative Leadership Initiatives
      • Preservation, Renovation, and Expansion of National Headquarters
      • Campaign Initiatives Supported to Date
    • Ways to Give
      • Planned Giving
      • Charitable Gift Annuities
      • Heritage Society
    • Gift Acceptance Policies
    • Endowment Information
    • State Charitable Registration Disclosures

Laurel Crowned Circle Award

First presented in 1980, the Laurel Crowned Circle Award is the highest individual honor awarded by Omicron Delta Kappa and is given by a vote of the Board of Trustees. Recipients are exceptional leaders in their respective fields or noted for their service in advancing leadership development. Award winners also demonstrate the highest ideals of the Society: collaboration, inclusivity, integrity, scholarship, and service. Recipients and nominators are required to be members of the Society. Self-nominations are welcome. No person may receive the award more than once.

Past recipients include business leaders, scholars, heads of large nonprofit organizations, journalists, academic administrators, and philanthropists. The list of previous honorees is located below. The award may be presented in conjunction with the annual national leadership conference or at a convenient time for the recipient. The 2022 Laurel Crowned Circle Award honoree was former U.S. Secretary of Defense and CIA Director Robert M. Gates (William & Mary, 2015). He was recognized on the campus of William & Mary, where he serves as chancellor, on December 8, 2022.

Nominations open on October 15 and are due to the National Headquarters by December 1 of each year. To nominate an individual that you feel is worthy of this honor, please send your nomination to President/CEO Jennifer L. Waller at jennifer@odk.org. A letter of nomination should include the name of the individual as well as a link to an online biography of the person and the reasons why the nominator believes that the person demonstrates the highest ideals of Omicron Delta Kappa. The letter of nomination should also include the nominator’s name and email address.

The Board Awards Committee reviews the nominations in January of each year. The Board of Trustees confirms the selection at its January or April meeting. The honoree is informed no later than the month of May, and the award presentation takes place in conjunction with the National Leadership Conference or at a time and place convenient for the honoree.

Past Recipients of the Laurel Crowned Circle Award

Robert M. Gates (2022)
William & Mary
Former U.S. Secretary of Defense and CIA Director; Chancellor, William & Mary

Paul S. Trible, Jr. (2021)
Hampden-Sydney College
Former U.S. Senator; Former President, Christopher Newport University

Donna E. Shalala (2020)
University of Miami
Congresswoman, Academic Administrator, U.S. Cabinet Member

Susan R. Komives (2018)
Denison University
Leadership Scholar and Educator

Raymond M. Burse (2016)
Centre College
Past President of Kentucky State University

William R. Johnston (2014)
Washington and Lee University
Businessman, Philanthropist, and Educator

Ralph W. Hauenstein (2012) *
Grand Valley State University
Philanthropist and Business Leader

Cokie B. Roberts (2011) *
University of Akron
Radio Personality and Television Anchor

Cheryl M. Hogle (2010) *
SUNY Plattsburgh
First Woman to Serve as OΔK National President

S. Truett Cathy (2009) *
Georgia State University
Founder of Chick-fil-A Restaurants

Robert S. Jepson, Jr. (2008)
University of Richmond
Businessman and Benefactor of the
Jepson School of Leadership Studies at the
University of Richmond

Michael L. Lomax (2006)
Dillard University
President, United Negro College Fund

James MacGregor Burns (2004) *
University of Maryland, College Park
Award-Winning Author

Sally Jones Hill (2003)
Auburn University
Businesswoman and Past O∆K Foundation President

Frank G. Dickey (2002) *
University of Kentucky
Past President of O∆K
Past President of the University of Kentucky

Joab L. Thomas (2001) *
University of Alabama
President Emeritus of Pennsylvania State University

Glenn O. Hilburn (2000) *
Centenary College
Past President of O∆K

Eldridge W. Roark, Jr. (1998) *
Samford University
Past President of O∆K

John Karlem Riess (1998) *
Tulane University
Past President of O∆K
Tulane Faculty Secretary for 50 years
General Council Member for 16 years

Richard L. Thornburgh (1996) *
University of Pittsburgh
Attorney at Kirkpatrick & Lockhart
Former United States Attorney General

Charles Longstreet Weltner (1992) *
Georgia Institute of Technology
Georgia State Supreme Court Justice

Russell E. Dougherty (1992) *
University of Louisville
Attorney at McGuire, Woods, Battle & Boothe

Frank Anthony Rose (1991) *
University of Kentucky
Past President at Transylvania University
Past President of the University of Alabama

Rupert N. Latture (1990) *
Washington and Lee University
Founding Member of O∆K

Maurice A. Clay (1988) *
University of Kentucky
National O∆K Executive Director

Robert W. Bishop (1986) *
University of Cincinnati (Charter Member)
Past President of the Association of College Honor Societies
Past President of O∆K

Elvis J. Stahr, Jr. (1984) *
University of Kentucky
President Emeritus of the National Audubon Society
President Emeritus of Indiana University

Edgar Finley Shannon, Jr. (1980) *
Washington and Lee University
President Emeritus of the University of Virginia

* Deceased.

 

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About O∆K

  • Mission, Vision, and Values
    • Notable Members
    • Founders’ Day
  • Fast Facts
  • Leadership
    • Board of Trustees
    • Emeriti Trustees
    • Student Advisory Board
    • Staff
  • Governance
    • Articles of Incorporation
    • National Bylaws
    • Governing Committees
    • Operating Committees
  • History of the Society
    • Our Founders
    • Circle Installations
    • Toward a More Inclusive Society
    • Women in Omicron Delta Kappa
    • Former National Presidents, Foundation Presidents, and Board Chairs
    • Timeline of Previous O∆K Governance Transitions

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