In 2014, Omicron Delta Kappa introduced the Pillars of Leadership Awards. These awards recognize lifetime members and other civic leaders who have demonstrated outstanding achievement in one of the five pillars of campus life, all of which an essential component of the OΔK Idea. The pillars are:
- Academics and Research
- Athletics
- Service to Campus and Community
- Communications
- Arts
The Board Awards Committee recommends the recipients to the Board of Trustees, and the recipients will be informed once decisions are made. Nominations must be made by a member of Omicron Delta Kappa.
Submit a Nomination Here
2025 Recipients
Richard Spontak (North Carolina State University, 1982)
Academics and Research
Mike London (University of Richmond, 2009)
Athletics
Ann Compton (University of Maryland, 2006)
Communications
Jeff Storer (Rollins College, 1975)
Creative and Performing Arts
Kody Kinsley (Brevard College, 2005)
Service to Campus and/or Community
2024 Recipients
Orlando “Tubby” Smith (University of Kentucky, 2001)
Athletics
Judith Segura (California State University, Fullerton, 1991)
Communications
Kenneth Fuchs (University of Miami, 1977)
Creative and Performing Arts
David Thrasher (Auburn University, 1971)
Service to Campus or Community
2023 Recipients
Jill M. Tiefenthaler (Wake Forest University, 2010)
Academics and Research
Valerie B. Ackerman (University of Virginia, 1979)
Athletics
Robert W. Crawford, Jr. (Dickinson College, 1960)
Service to Campus and Community
Joseph E. Johns (Marshall University, 1979)
Communications
Yvette Nicole Brown (University of Akron, 1993)
Creative and Performing Arts
2022 Recipients
Rick A. Bright (Auburn University Montgomery, 1996)
Academics and Research
James L. Caldwell (Wake Forest University, 1996)
Athletics
Paul W. Chellgren (University of Kentucky, 1963)
Service to Campus and Community
John J. Curley (Dickinson College, 1958)
Communications
Everett D. McCorvey (University of Alabama, 1981)
Creative and Performing Arts
2018 Recipients
A. Lamar Alexander (Vanderbilt University, 1961)
Scholarship
Dawn Staley (University of South Carolina, 2017)
Athletics
Susan and Thomas Lowder (Auburn University, 1971)
Service
Monica Pearson (Emory University, 1995)
Communications
Janis Hirsch (Rollins College, 2013)
Arts
2016 Recipients
Virginia B. Edwards (University of Kentucky, 1976)
Scholarship
Thomas M. Bowen (University of Memphis, 2014)
Athletics
Richard I. Williams (Grand Valley State University, 2001)
Service
Kevin W. Kruger (University of Maryland, 1984)
Communications
Jeanne Robertson (Auburn University, 1990)
Arts
2014 Recipients
Larry J. Sabato (University of Virginia, 1972)
Scholarship
Patricia S. Summitt (University of Tennessee, 1978)
Athletics
Michael J. Riley (Wake Forest University, 1981)
Communications
Quinton D. Studer
Service
Sally K. Albrecht (Rollins College, 2014)
Arts
