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.
