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A&S Students Inducted Into Omicron Delta Kappa

By C. Lynn Hiler and Savina Williams

LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 21, 2021) — The University of Kentucky Nu Circle of national leadership honor society Omicron Delta Kappa (ODK) inducted 71 new members at a virtual ceremony Tuesday, April 13, 2021. 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  May 2, 1925, and was recognized with a Superior Circle award from the national organization in 2018.

“Being able to serve as the president of the Nu Circle of ODK has been a privilege and a blessing,” said 2021 Circle President Cade King. “Our service event with the Special Olympics of Kentucky and their Lexington Polar Plunge was one of the highlights, especially since it was our first in-person service event in the academic year. On top of such an exciting service event, I've been honored and humbled with the Nu Circle's Leader of the Year award, granted by ODK's Nationals. Nonetheless, the positive influence, memories, and lessons from those I've worked alongside far outweigh any trophy or medal. Encouraging young leaders has been a privilege, and I advocate for any member or student to take up such an opportunity whenever possible. Under the leadership of our most recent initiates, I see great things in ODK's near future.”

Issam Harik, a professor in the Department of Civil Engineering, has been the faculty advisor since 1996. He is stepping down this year, although ODK holds a special place in his heart. “This is my last year as faculty advisor, but definitely not my last year as an ODK member and an active member in the future.” He reflected on his time as the faculty advisor, reminding students that the “rewards (of membership) come from the friendships you make, which last a lifetime and meeting amazing people from all feeds of study at the University of Kentucky.”

The 2021  College of Arts of Sciences are: Ashleigh Adkins, Christen Bailey, Vickie Booth, Kayli Bolton, Eliot Bradshaw, Meghan Brockman, Zachary Brown, Robert Castle, Kaitlynne Cone, Joshua Griffith, Richard Hamlin, Kara Hucaby, Lily Hurt, Gracie Johnson, Jennifer Lamb, Lauren Magnani, Anne Marie McAtee, Hunter Morrison, Brooklyn Niravong, Victoria Orcutt, Ashlyn Pechon, Kristen Price, Gianna Riley, James Roberts, Meghana Sharma, Lakyn Steffen and Jason Wang.

The full induction ceremony is available on YouTube

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 chellgrencenter@uky.edu.

The University of Kentucky is increasingly the first choice for students, faculty and staff to pursue their passions and their professional goals. In the last two years, Forbes has named UK among the best employers for diversity, and INSIGHT into Diversity recognized us as a Diversity Champion four years running. UK is ranked among the top 30 campuses in the nation for LGBTQ* inclusion and safety. UK has been judged a “Great College to Work for" three years in a row, and UK is among only 22 universities in the country on Forbes' list of "America's Best Employers."  We are ranked among the top 10 percent of public institutions for research expenditures — a tangible symbol of our breadth and depth as a university focused on discovery that changes lives and communities. And our patients know and appreciate the fact that UK HealthCare has been named the state’s top hospital for five straight years. Accolades and honors are great. But they are more important for what they represent: the idea that creating a community of belonging and commitment to excellence is how we honor our mission to be not simply the University of Kentucky, but the University for Kentucky.