National Honor Society Inducts UK's Cavanaugh, Ryan, 12 Students

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Dec. 16, 2011) — Two faculty members and 12 students from the University of Kentucky were inducted into the Nu Circle of Omicron Delta Kappa (ODK), the national leadership honor society, at a banquet and ceremony held on Dec. 4.

Ambassador Carey Cavanaugh, director of the Patterson School of Diplomacy and International Commerce and professor of diplomacy and conflict resolution, was recognized for service and leadership at the university, worldwide service as a U.S. ambassador and advisor, professional accomplishments, and devotion to developing international leaders.

Buck Ryan, director of the Citizen Kentucky Project at the UK Scripps Howard First Amendment Center and associate professor of journalism, was recognized for service and leadership at the university, worldwide service to professional journalism, dedication to the education of youth on the First Amendment, and devotion to teaching and to students .

ODK, founded in 1914 at Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Va., seeks to initiate students who have demonstrated strong leadership as well as scholarship and service. The Nu Circle was founded at the UK in 1925, as the 14th circle to be established. Previous inductees have included five Kentucky governors, six UK presidents, and Kentucky coaches Adolph Rupp and Bear Bryant, among other notable leaders. Additional Information on ODK can be found at www.odk.org.

The following students were initiated at the Dec. 4 event and banquet:

Brittany Begley, of Richmond, graduate student in education;
John Bullock, of Louisville, junior in finance and management;
Casey Combs, of Honaker, Va., doctoral student in pharmacy;
Travis Green, of South Charleston, W.Va., junior in biology;
Shea Henning, of Nicholasville, junior in political science;
Marshall Herbst, of Lexington, graduate student in education;
Nikki Hurt, of Lexington, senior in agricultural biotechnology;
William Ifeachor, of Columbus, Ind., graduate student in pharmacy and MBA;
Kassy Lum, of Crestwood, graduate student in engineering;
Chelsea Peterson, of Plymouth, Wisc., senior in biology;
Andrea Ramsey, of Paducah, senior in chemical engineering; and
Tyler Reed, of Bowling Green, senior in secondary education.

MEDIA CONTACT: Keith Hautala, (859) 323-2396; keith.hautala@uky.edu.