Omicron Delta Kappa Inducts 56 New Members

Omicron Delta Kappa virtual induction ceremony.
Omicron Delta Kappa recently held a virtual induction ceremony.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Jan. 27, 2021) — The University of Kentucky Nu Circle of national leadership honor society Omicron Delta Kappa (ODK) inducted 56 new members at a virtual ceremony on Dec. 9. ODK recognizes superior leadership and exemplary character and encourages collaboration among members across the five phases celebrated by the society: scholarship, athletics, service, communications and arts.

The Circle was established on May 2, 1925, and was recognized with a Superior Circle award from the national organization in 2018.

"Being able to build community and meet as a chapter has definitely been a challenge this semester due to restrictions concerning COVID-19, but we were able to welcome our new members via a virtual induction ceremony,” said 2020 Circle President Abby Vicars. “It was great to see the faces of all our new members who are committed to being leaders in their community and embodying ODK's ideals. We look forward to seeing what they accomplish as members of the Nu Circle and are eager to support them in their development as leaders in our community."

The 2020 inductees are: Ryann Belcher, Olivia Bryant, Kendell Clark, Jacob Coffman, Juan Cruz, Alexandria Davis, Lauren Duespohl, Kendall DuLaney, Alysa EvansSaintClaire, Amelia Floyd, Katelyn Freese, Noah Gadd, Remy Gaines, Kara Haywood, Daniel Herrada, Abigail Higgins, Natalie Holzer, Grace Ison, Grace Jacobs, Kendall Jones, Abby Karazsia, Kristen Karem, Gretchin Kepplinger, Ronald Kincaid, Jr., Jaden Kopser, Daniel Lewis, DaVanna Lockett, Katherine Lopez, Maliha Alma Marium, Savannah Miller, Clayton Monarch, Olivia Morris-Bush, Michaela Neal, Tylee Oldham, Emma Olmstead, Jachimike Onuoha, William Ransdell, Elijah Raymond, Hallie Rice, Claudia Robertson, Eleanor Robertson, McKenna Roe, Simone Rudolph, Megan Schildt, Brendan Simpson, Henry Smith, Reagan Smith, Clarissa Somers, Madelyn Steineker, Gabrielle Thompson, Robert Vaughan, Ashley Watkins, Johnathan Wessel, Ally Windland, William Worden, and Kathleen Wright.

Omicron Delta Kappa is supported on campus by the Chellgren Center for Undergraduate Excellence within the Office of the Provost. For more information on membership, contact odknucircle@gmail.com.

As the state’s flagship, land-grant institution, the University of Kentucky exists to advance the Commonwealth. We do that by preparing the next generation of leaders — placing students at the heart of everything we do — and transforming the lives of Kentuckians through education, research and creative work, service and health care. We pride ourselves on being a catalyst for breakthroughs and a force for healing, a place where ingenuity unfolds. It's all made possible by our people — visionaries, disruptors and pioneers — who make up 200 academic programs, a $476.5 million research and development enterprise and a world-class medical center, all on one campus.   

In 2022, UK was ranked by Forbes as one of the “Best Employers for New Grads” and named a “Diversity Champion” by INSIGHT into Diversity, a testament to our commitment to advance Kentucky and create a community of belonging for everyone. While our mission looks different in many ways than it did in 1865, the vision of service to our Commonwealth and the world remains the same. We are the University for Kentucky.