The College is jumpstarting its chapter of the national leadership honor society and envisions opportunities for leadership development for inductees.
“It’s a significant honor to be recognized as ODK, and we’re really excited to be honoring these exceptional students.”
Guilford College inducted 13 students into its chapter of the Omicron Delta Kappa national leadership honor society during a ceremony March 22. Omicron Delta Kappa, or ODK, recognizes students for excellence in leadership and character development.
“It’s a significant honor to be recognized as ODK, and we’re really excited to be honoring these exceptional students,” says Steve Mencarini, Dean of Students.
Students who were inducted Friday are: Darius Safavi-Abbasi ’26, William Beardsley ’26, Darren Brumbach ’24, Milani Green ’26, Ashley Jasso-Hernandez ’26, Leslie Jasso-Hernandez ’26, August Hutchins ’26, Hayley Mawson ’26, Gracie Mayer ’23, Nick Opie ’26, Maddi Page ’25, Nya Reed ’23, and Kiersten Walker ’24.
Founded in 1914, Omicron Delta Kappa is composed of students who demonstrate leadership in two of five phases of campus: academic/research, athletics, service to campus and community, communications and creative/performing arts.
Undergraduate students selected for induction must be juniors or seniors, rank in the upper 35 percent of their class, and demonstrate the five Omicron Delta Kappa ideals of scholarship, service, inclusivity, integrity, character and fellowship.
Guilford’s circle of ODK was established in 2014. The College inducted four classes before taking a hiatus during the pandemic. Earlier this year, Gracie, a Presidential Fellow, attended an ODK workshop to help jumpstart Guilford’s circle.
Steve says the College envisions ODK members meeting monthly beginning next fall to hear speakers, gain access to national development leaders and have their quality research projects recognized.
August is excited about the potential ODK can offer. Not just to its new members but the College as a whole. He says the new inductees will be meeting next week to talk about ideas for the chapter and programs it might offer to bring Guilford together as a community. "They're a great group of people," he says. "I think we'll easily be able to come up with ways to make the College more of a community than it already is."