Omicron Delta Kappa
National Leadership Honor Society
The purpose of The Omicron Delta Kappa Society is threefold:
First, to recognize those who have attained a high standard of efficiency in collegiate
activities and to inspire others to strive for conspicuous attainments along similar
lines;
Second, to bring together the most representative students in all phases of collegiate life and thus to create an organization which will help to mold the sentiment of the institution on questions of local and intercollegiate interest;
Third, to bring together members of the faculty and student body of the institution, as well as other Omicron Delta Kappa members, on a basis of mutual interest, understanding and helpfulness.
In 1976 Austin Peay State University President Robert O. Riggs appointed a committee to found an honorary society recognizing leadership and contributions to campus life. Mildred Deason, director of student life, faculty member Malcolm Glass; and Bonita Wilson, an undergraduate student, began working to establish a local fraternity honoring campus leaders: this organization was called “The Governors Association”. The membership of the committee was expanded to include faculty members Diana Brent and Billy Thompson, who volunteered their help. Using rigorous standards of selection, the committee chose seventeen juniors and seniors to be charter members, and be the spring of 1977 the Governors Leadership Society was well established.
From the beginning, the group was aware of the importance of establishing meaningful traditions and ceremonies and of upholding the highest standards. In October of 1978, the Society petitioned Omicron Delta Kappa, national leadership honor society, asking that the Austin Peay group be considered as a prospective circle. Early in 1979 ODK decided in favor of the petition and on May 4, 1979 the Austin Peay State University Circle of Omicron Delta Kappa was installed by national and regional officers and officials. Under the able guidance of the faculty/staff secretary and the leadership of many capable students, officers and members, the Circle has grown and flourished. Traditions and service have become increasingly important as the Circle has grown, and these traditions and the standards they represent have clearly established ODK as one of the most prestigious honorary societies at the university. Today, over 1,500 students, faculty, staff, and community members have been initiated through the Austin Peay State University Circle. Additionally, our Circle has been recognized numerous times with the “Circle of Distinction Award”; one of the highest honors bestowed upon a collegiate Circle by the National Administrative Office, and we have also been named a recipient of the Presidential Award of Excellence a number of times, presented to the top circles nationally within Omicron Delta Kappa. Our Circle is appreciative of the tremendous leadership and effort of our former Circle Coordinator, Dean Greg Singleton, over the past 15 years. His dedication and support led to an award-winning Circle that grew and flourished.
Identify, honor and develop leaders in collegiate and community life. Encourage collaboration among students, faculty, staff and alumni to advance leadership. Promote and publicize our ideals.
As the most respected and effective leadership honor society, Omicron Delta Kappa strives for excellence in leadership and character development.
- Scholarship
- Service
- Integrity
- Collaboration
- Inclusivity
- Academics and Research
- Athletics
- Service to Campus and Community
- Communications
- Creative and Performing Arts
- President - Zawna Schumacher
- Vice President - Tyler Rose
- Secretary/Treasurer - Emily Poteete
- Alumni Advisor -
- Faculty Advisor - Abbey Hogan
- Circle Coordinator - Dr. Tammy Bryant
Omicron Delta Kappa recognizes and encourages achievement in scholarship; athletics; campus or community service; social and religious activities; campus government; journalism; speech; mass media; and the creative and performing arts.
To be eligible for membership, a student shall meet the following minimum requirements:
- One semester (at least 12 graded credit hours earned) of residence at Austin Peay State University
- Undergraduate sophmore, junior or senior standing (at least 30 graded credit hours earned) or graduate standing (with at least one semester completed at Austin Peay State University
- A candiate for undergraduate membership must rank in the top 35% of their respective class. The cumulative scholarship record of the student shall be the basis for computing scholarship eligibility. Graduate Students must have a 3.50 cumulative GPA in order to be considered for membership.
- Exemplary character, scholarship, service, leadership in campus life, good citizenship within the academic and larger community, and fellowship and consecration to democratic ideals
Omicron Delta Kappa Membership
Fall 2023 Induction
Congratulations to the Fall 2023 Inductees:
Emma L. Anderson
Daniela Diaz Campos
Alaina Nicole Chandler
Ashton D. Cromwell
Mary Jana Darnell
Taylor Rae Dirks
David A. Donaldson
Emma Lynn Dunavant
Lauren Ellis
Jessica Hollingsworth
Olivia Chayse Kasitz
Nikolas R. Lamie
Piper Sloan Lyons
Valerie Michelle Echevarria Mandez
Matthew Tony Medina
Brian Wayne Meredith
Jerilyn Venae Mitchell
Rylie J. Morris
Stanley Chinedu Okoro
Blake R. Parker
Samantha Leigh Ramirez
Anthony J. Rivera
Jose Pablo Rodriguez
Megan Salyers
Danny Seely
Vanessa D. Suponch
Bruno Ernesto Tarancon, Jr.
Whitlee Walker
Deven Wallace
Riley Dalton Walsh
Michael E. Warren
Spring 2023 Induction
Congratulations to the Spring 2023 Inductees:
Emily Noelle Bau
Ashley Elizabeth Beckham
Anna Grace Bedwell
Adam M. Benematti
Dr. Elaine W. Berg
Dr. Beatrix M. Brockman
Sheila Bryant
Ashley Rose Cartmill
Shelbee L. Davis
Payton June Elkins
Brandon Richard Gulley
Mark Alex Harrington II
Gracie Neal Haynes
Hayden Jay Heflin
Ashley Kautz
Tonya Edmonds Leszczak
Jason Eugene Longan
Taylor Rayanne Lorance
Dr. Andrew Lee Luna
Sara Kate Lusk
Brice Henry Mlekodaj
Zachary Moore
Dr. Jessica Morris
Cheyenne Priest
Matthew L. Rutter
Joshua D. Rye
Shannon A. Ryker
Dr. Bettina Kay Cobb Shank
Sarah Smith
Logan Michael Gene Sykes
Vincent Frederick VanBrocklin
Eli Worsham
Fall 2022 Induction
Congratulations to the Fall 2022 Inductees:
Ayat Al Bahadli
Arianna Verity Banta
Sincere La’kevion Brent
Lena Michelle Childers
Abbigale Raeann Corbus
Connor Lane Corland
Kali G. Davis
Alex Michaela Edwards
Andrew D. Fowler
Lorenzo Howard
Sydney Rene Keesler
Adam Nathaniel Knickerbocker
Devin Malone
Carter Owen Mansfield
Lauryn McCabe
Campbell Abigail Moore
Cheyenne Nicole Joiner-Morehouse
Brandon S. Morris
Destiny Taylor Neal
Morgan Ozanne
Meagan N. Porter
Emily Melissa Poteete
Christina Paige Potts
Adam L. Powell
Tyler Rose
Jalen Davon Smalls
Phyllis M. Smith
Madalyn Marie Stubblefield
Gracey Breana Suggs
Erin Nicole Taylor
Lauren Taliese Terry
Tara Nicole Trigo
Barbara Jean Tucker
Xavier Olamide Vincent
Leah Walker
Paul Sterling Zimmerman II