West Virginia Wesleyan inducts 26 new members into Omicron Delta Kappa

West Virginia Wesleyan College inducted 26 students, faculty, and staff into its Omicron Delta Kappa leadership honor society during its 61st annual ceremony, recognizing academic achievement and campus leadership across diverse disciplines.

News Release
April 23, 2025

The West Virginia Wesleyan College Circle of Omicron Delta Kappa (ODK) conducted its 61st annual induction on March 27, 2024, in the Meditation Chapel. The circle inducted four graduate students, four seniors, four juniors, 10 sophomores, two staff members, and two faculty.

The Wesleyan Circle of ODK was established in 1963 and has inducted over 1,100 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

Graduate students: Laura Adams, South Charleston, West Virginia; Johnnie-Jo Hovis, Buckhannon, West Virginia; Judith Rose, Morgantown, West Virginia; and Ann Marie Whitehair, Grafton, West Virginia.
Seniors: Samantha Carlin, Sarasota, Florida; Zoe Casto, Fairmont, West Virginia; Kadie Dunham, Grafton, West Virginia; and Megan Pritt, Mt. Nebo, West Virginia.
Juniors: Savannah Herrod, Clarksburg, West Virginia; Edward Marks, Wellsburg, West Virginia; Sydney Vilain, Clarksburg, West Virginia; Carly Rae Wolfgang, Leesburg, Virginia.
Sophomores: Madelyn Armstrong, Bridgeport, West Virginia; Cullen Cairns, Riverview, Florida; Tobias Fleece, Bridgeport, West Virginia; Laura Gatewood, Huntington, West Virginia; Kostadena Hartley, Buckhannon, West Virginia; Leah Ireland, Maitland, Florida; Zoe Jarvis, Big Chimney, West Virginia; Renae Kennison, Rainelle, West Virginia; Kylah Lockriddge, McGraws, West Virginia; and Breanne Waldron, Fairmont, West Virginia.

Also inducted were Dr. Rae Emrick, vice president for athletics; Alexis de Coning, assistant professor of communications; Jonathan Acord, dean of the chapel; and Colby Wamsley, assistant director of campus life.

Participating in the ceremony were Dr. Thomas Smith, faculty advisor; Alisa Lively, dean of students and circle advisor; and Jessica Wagner, director for community engagement and circle staff. Officers participating included Srikiran Nandigama, president, and Ellie Pergoletti, treasurer. Guest speaker was Paula McGrew, professor of library science and director of library services emeritus. Student officers for the 2025–2026 academic year include Srikiran Nandigama, president; Faith Yoho, vice-president; and Sydney Vilain, treasurer.

Omicron Delta Kappa was founded on December 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.