09.23.05


From left, first row: Dr. Gid Alston, Brandon Brown, Catherine Tolbert, Katy Jackson, Amy Dawson, Drew Carlisle and Alex Gleason. Top row: Patrick Martin, Julie Jefferson, Jason Nussbaum, Katie Ellis, Rachel Geoghegan, Dr. Chrystal Bruce and Rebekah Turbeville.

Erskine chapter of Omicron Delta Kappa taps new members

The Erskine College chapter of Omicron Delta Kappa (ODK), the National Leadership Honor Society, tapped 12 students, two faculty members, and two staff members for membership Thursday.

Founded at Washington and Lee University, ODK recognizes and encourages achievement in scholarship, athletics, campus and community service, social and religious activities, campus government, journalism, speech, and the creative and performing arts.

Qualifications for membership include exemplary character, responsible leadership, service in campus and community life, superior scholarship, genuine fellowship, and consecration to democratic ideals.

ODK President Lindsey Willis, a senior from Prosperity, said someone recently asked her about the organization's membership and noted that "ODK seemed eclectic" since it includes students from so many Erskine groups, and yet all the members seem to enjoy each other's company. She takes that as a compliment.

"One of the things I love about ODK is that our members represent such a wide variety of interests and strengths," Willis said.

Erskine Professor of English Dr. Brad Christie, ODK's faculty sponsor, believes ODK members are some of the most well rounded students on campus, "the ones who best exemplify the traditional liberal arts ideals reflected in Erskine's mission and history."

He said he considers ODK "the premier national honor society on our campus."

"I say that because 'the ODK ideal' promotes leadership in five broad areas of campus life and culture, not just one area like most other learned societies," Christie explained. "So, students tapped for ODK are leaders in academics, first, but also in student government, athletics, cultural programs and church and community service work."

Willis said that in addition to collecting attendance cards at chapel and convocation, ODK undertakes at least one service project per semester. "We help with the Service Fair and Organizational Fair in the fall, we sponsor an auction, last year in combination with the Student Christian Association, and we give an annual gift to the school," she said.

One of ODK's strengths is the active involvement of faculty and staff members. "I appreciate that ODK is one of the few clubs that really strives to include faculty and staff — we elect new faculty and staff members every two years, and I appreciate the opportunity to work with (them) outside the classroom," Willis said.

"By national charter, we are required to maintain substantial faculty and staff membership, and faculty especially are to participate fully in the life of the (ODK) Circle, unlike so many other undergraduate societies, which tend to function exclusively with and for students," Christie said.

Marshall Stein, a senior member from Clover, believes ODK is good for the Erskine campus. "I do think leadership counts for more at a smaller school," he said. "At Erskine, so much attention goes into building students into strong thinkers and leaders. There is no better way to honor that than to take those skills and first use them to help build up and strengthen Erskine."

Stein sees value in the interaction of Erskine students with organizations like ODK. "ODK is a national organization — Erskine is a world of its own," he said. "Any time we can bring the national spotlight and influence to our campus, it blows the doors wide open for improvement and progress."

Current ODK officers in addition to Willis are Jennifer Boyd, vice president, and Adam Lynn, treasurer. Current student members in addition to Stein are Daphne Gossage, Lindsay Hunt, Anna Oates, and Catherine Meggs. Faculty members include Christie and Assistant Professor of Modern Languages Dr. Lisa Signori.

Newly inducted members of ODK are juniors Drew Carlisle, Amy Dawson, Katie Ellis, Alex Gleason, Katy Jackson, Patrick Martin, Catherine Tolbert and Rebekah Turbeville; and seniors Brandon Brown, Rachel Geoghegan, Julie Jefferson, and Jason Nussbaum.

New faculty members named were Assistant Professor of Chemistry Dr. Chrystal Bruce and Professor of Physical Education and Health Dr. Gid Alston. McDonald-Boswell Professor of History Dr. Jim Gettys and Art Instructor Jan Walker are also members.

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