Omicron Delta Kappa
Omicron Delta Kappa (ODK) is a nationally recognized leadership honor society. The Virginia Commonwealth University circle acknowledges students, staff, and faculty who have exemplary leadership and character in multiple facets.
The members of ODK are responsible for maintaining a high standard of efficiency in five areas of collegiate activities: Academics and Research; Athletics; Service to Campus and Community; Communications; and Creative and Performing Arts.
Our mission is to honor and develop leaders, encourage collaboration, and promote the ideal of the Omicron Delta Kappa society.
For more information on Omicron Delta Kappa, The National Leadership Honor Society,
please visit https://odk.org/
FAQ
Omicron Delta Kappa (OΔK) is a prestigious honor society with over 300 chapters on campuses throughout the US. The society was originally founded at Washington and Lee University in 1914. Collegiate initiates are sophomores, juniors, seniors, graduate and professional students in the top 35% of their academic class. Membership is also extended to include faculty, staff, administrators, alumni, and civic and community leaders.
Yes, it is. OΔK was first chartered at Virginia Commonwealth University on March 2, 1986. On May 6, 1996 after only ten years of service, Dr. Richard Hoover, National President of ΟΔΚ® withdrew the Charter for lack of activity. After a few attempts to re-establish a Circle at VCU, the Amber Circle Leadership Society was founded in 2010 to return the legacy of ΟΔΚ® to VCU. Through the great efforts of many students and advisors, Amber Circle became the Virginia Commonwealth Circle of Omicron Delta Kappa Society on May 6, 2012, eighteen years to the day from the closing of our previous circle.
Yes. OSLEL staff serve as the circle coordinator and faculty advisor(s) for the campus chapter and provide leadership expertise to help move the organization to meet the goals of the executive board as well as the department. The advisor facilitates the invitation process to protect student information. While the advisor primarily works with the executive board, they are also available to help members in their leadership journeys. The executive board serves as a team of students to create, facilitate, and implement events that meet the Induction criteria for the chapter. They act as guides through the leadership development period and can be mentors for other members.
Membership is extended to students who are in the top 35% of their class for undergraduates. Or top 35% of school for graduate and professional students. Members can also be nominated by faculty, staff, and students. Students who are identified in the top 35% will receive an email invitation directly from VCU.
Yes, students will complete the national chapter’s application as well as answer specific questions identified by our leadership team.
If you meet the eligibility criteria to be invited, you will receive an email to your VCU email address with information on how to apply. Applications that are received through the https://odk.org/ site prior to the deadline will be reviewed by the ODK Executive Board. If selected, students will be notified and invited to the tapping ceremony. If students pay the local/national fees prior to the deadline they are invited to the initiation ceremony.
Yes. Students are encouraged to attend meetings and events as much as possible. As with any association like this you get out of it what you put into the organization. We also understand that as you progress through your time here at VCU your time will fluctuate. We hope that you are able to prioritize OΔK to get the most out of it while you are here at VCU, but you’ll also be able to engage as an alumni too.
Tapping is the process of notifying an individual that he or she has been selected for membership into the society. It is the first public display of the honor of membership in the Society. Tapping is
Currently, only invitations are sent out to sophomores, juniors, and seniors. Freshman who are eligible will not receive an invitation, but if their status carries into their sophomore year they will be invited to join then.
Members are encouraged to participate in a leadership program in the fall semester and a service event in the spring semester. We are still working on other events for the organization. So if you are interested in joining the executive board to help shape the future of the organization reach out to the circle coordinator!
There is a $94 lifetime membership fee that you pay after you have been accepted into the society. Most honor societies have annual dues for membership, however ours is a one-time lifetime membership. We also charge a one-time local fee of $36. The fees cover all services and support the student receives as a member. The chapter is then able to use this money to support the campus chapter with events and activities.
If you want to learn more about the benefits of ODK, visit https://odk.org/. For more information about the Amber Circle at VCU, please contact our Circle Advisor, Marci Logsdon, at logsdonml@vcu.edu.