As each new initiate stepped forward to sign their name in the official record book, a list of their accomplishments was read aloud.
From campus and community involvement to academic scholarships and athletic records, the 41 students and four faculty and staff members welcomed into the Golden Crest Circle of Omicron Delta Kappa on Sunday, Nov. 15, represented an elite group at Missouri Southern.
“Your actions and accomplishments you have achieved so far have led you do this point,” said Darren Fullerton, vice president for student affairs and enrollment management, during his remarks to the new initiates.
The Missouri Southern chapter of the national leadership honor society was established in 1986 with 20 students and three faculty members. In the years since, around 800 members have been inducted.
“Less than 1 percent of the student body is eligible to be selected for membership in this organization,” said Fullerton. “I think those numbers speak for themselves.”
The ceremony, which was held in Billingsly Student Center’s Connor Ballroom, was socially distanced and streamed live over Facebook so that friends and family members could watch. The 2020 ceremony featured a larger group of initiates than in past years, as membership was recently opened to sophomores in addition to juniors and seniors.
Membership in ODK is based on exemplary service, leadership, scholarship and character. It recognizes leadership in five areas: Scholarship; athletics; campus and community service, social and religious activities, and campus government; journalism, speech and mass media; and creative and performing arts.
Jordan Gibson, a senior biology/pre-physician’s assistant major, is the current president of the campus chapter, said her membership in ODK for the last year has been a “phenomenal” opportunity to work closely with other campus leaders.
“It’s amazing to be with these people who serve the community so well,” Gibson said. “To get to stand beside them and create opportunities for us to serve better and be leaders on campus is so exciting.”
ODK was founded Dec. 3, 1914, at Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Va., by 15 student and faculty leaders. There are currently more than 300 active circles at colleges and universities across the United States.
The new ODK initiates are:
ARKANSAS
Gentry
Haylee Pyburn, psychology
KANSAS
Fort Scott
Rebekah Sweyko, biology (pre-med)
Kansas City
Christine Ibeagi, health promotion and wellness
Pittsburg
Madison Nagel, biology (pre-med)
MISSOURI
Anderson
Sierra Wilson, accounting
Jackie Marshall, education (speech/theatre)
Carl Junction
Austin Rose, finance/management
Ashlyn Pope, early childhood elementary education
Carthage
Tyler Bellairs, international and political affairs
Emily Lane, social work/ELL
Marady Anderson, international and political affairs
Columbia
Jordan Banker, biology (pre-med)
Ojurere Shonekan, computer information science
Diamond
Katelyn Anderson, biology/computer science
Kylie Atkinson, biology (pre-veterinary)
El Dorado Springs
Jenna Watkins, elementary and early childhood education
Fenton
Kamryn Marie Graff, health sciences (dental hygiene)
Joplin
Taylor Boyett, nursing
Emma Willerton, management, marketing and HR
Cooper Anderson, finance
Katherine Spear, biology (pre-med)
Rachael Gopalakrishnan, biology
Sarah Thompson, psychology
Ximena Figueroa, management
Shelby West, biology (pre-med)
Sara Manley, social work
Nicholas Staus, international and political affairs
Lake Saint Louis
Avery Aschenbrenner, biology (pre-med)
Lebanon
Cade Winfrey, biology (pre-med)
Neosho
Brent Olson, economics/management
Oak Grove
Corinne Gould-Cleveland, criminal justice administration/French
Oronogo
Byron Stevens, international business/marketing
Peculiar
Cheyenne Boos, accounting
Sarcoxie
Myka Masters, biology (pre-med)
Warrensburg
Abbey Calcote, health promotion and wellness
West Plains
Ashlynn Vanatter, biology (pre-med)
OKLAHOMA
Bartlesville
Chloe Maye, biology (pre-med)
TEXAS
Corinth
Josephine Landwehr, biology (pre-med)
Frisco
Syeda Insia Mustafa, biology (pre-med)
The faculty and staff initiates are:
Dr. William Delehanty, associate professor of political science
Becca Diskin, director of financial aid
Lorinda Hackett, interim dean of the College of Education
Dr. Elka Howe, chair of the Engineering Technology Department