The University of Lynchburg’s Omicron Delta Kappa National Leadership Honor Society circle held a virtual induction ceremony on Monday for 49 new members.
Dr. Aaron Smith, vice president and dean of student development, delivered the opening remarks, followed by an invocation from Stephanie McLemore, chaplain and director of church relations, and a welcome by Dr. Kenneth Garren, president of the University. Dean of the College of Business Nancy Hubbard, who was named an honorable member, delivered remarks before Dr. Jimmy Roux, professor of communication studies and nonprofit leadership, and Omicron Delta Kappa faculty advisor, inducted new members along with circle president Shawn Gmurek ’20 and Smith, who serves as circle coordinator. Roux also delivered closing remarks.
New Omicron Delta Kappa members are: Jyoti Aggarwal, Jaclyn Amato, Kaitlyn J. Barber, Craig Allen Baumgartner, Katie Lynn Bradley, Jenna L. Bryant, Flinn Christian, Wrenn Cleary, Mia Coffman, Madison Collins, Allyssa B Compton, Amanda Dawn Crouse, Katherine Claire Duncan, William Fowler, Rachel Garnett, Jennifer A. Gibison, Matthew Gillett, Kendrik J. Goldman, Erin Green, Shannon Genevieve Greene, Skylar Gumm, Joseph Michael Hamer, Tiernan Harcourt-Brooke, Kristen Harkins, Danielle Herzberg, Katherine Merry Highsmith, Dr. Nancy A. Hubbard (honoris causa), Beatrice Kelly-Russo, Charlotte Kruger, Justin Matherly, Leigh-Anne N. McCormick, Kevin A. Moran, Claire Julian Needham, Ashley Elizabeth Parham, Niraly Ganpat Patel, Ryan Paxton, Nicholas Prechel, Angela Ramsden, Casey N. Reber, Sarah Kathryn Ridgeway, M. Candicia Rodriguez, Sierra Lynn Sipes, Howard Anthony Smith, Lauren Stanford, Madeline Stewart, Erica Marie Terry, Ethan Stancil Walton, Jena Elizabeth Wilkinson, and Matthew Derrick Wright.
According to its website, Omicron Delta Kappa “recognizes and encourages superior leadership and exemplary character,” as well as collaboration across five phases: scholarship, athletics, service, communications, and arts. Founded at Washington and Lee University in 1914, O∆K “honors and develops leaders through scholarships, workshops, career opportunities, leadership resources, and a lifelong connection to other members.”
Lynchburg chartered its circle in 1997. Since then, the University has inducted more than 1,100 outstanding students who have made a difference in and outside the classroom. Membership is awarded to undergraduate juniors and seniors whose cumulative GPA places them in the top 35% of Lynchburg’s student population. Graduate students are also eligible. More information can be found at lynchburg.edu/academics/honor-societies/omicron-delta-kappa.