BUCKHANNON, W.Va. –The West Virginia Wesleyan College Circle of Omicron Delta Kappa (ODK) conducted its 58th annual induction recently. 

The Wesleyan Circle of ODK was established in 1963 and has inducted over 1,050 students, faculty and staff.  Student eligibility is based on the top 35 percent of each class in scholarship, as well as participation in one of the following: athletics, music, arts, journalism and community service.

Newly inducted members include Cole Skaggs ‘21, of St. Clairsville, Ohio; Hannah Dunn ‘21, of Bridgeport, West Virginia; Nathan White ‘21, of Camden, West Virginia; Hope Hickman ‘22, of Shallotte, North Carolina; Sydney McDonald ‘22, of Buckhannon, West Virginia; Mari-Jane McLeod ‘22, of Ridgeley, West Virginia; Molly Milleson ‘22, of Springfield, West Virginia; Holly Williams ‘22, of Baker, West Virginia; and Easton Perry ‘23, of Ripley, West Virginia. 

Also inducted were assistant professor of history Coty Martin, assistant professor of English Lynn Linder and assistant director of residence life Greg Strader. Faculty, staff and alumni are nominated by current members of the circle for their dedication to leadership principles.

Participating in the ceremony were faculty advisor Dr. Thomas Smith ’84, Dean of Students Alisa Lively, and Jessica Vincent, director of the Center for Community Engagement and Leadership Development. Student officers for the 2021-2022 academic year include McLeod as president; Milleson as vice president and McDonald as treasurer. 

Omicron Delta Kappa was founded on Dec. 3, 1914, on the campus of Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Virginia.  The society was founded by a group of 15 students and faculty who believed that leadership at the collegiate level should be recognized and encouraged across all phases of campus life.  The motives which guided the founders sprang from the desire to bring together one body for the general good of the institution, leaders from all parts of the college or university community.  The success of the ODK idea, an essential part of which is its inter-generational nature and a determination to maintain a consistent and high standards of leadership recognition, led to the establishment of chapters, which are called circles, at other colleges.