BUCKHANNON—The West Virginia Wesleyan College Circle of Omicron Delta Kappa (ODK) conducted its 60th annual induction on April 13, 2023, in the Meditation Chapel.  The circle inducted three seniors, five juniors, six sophomores, one graduate student, one faculty and two staff members.

The Wesleyan Circle of ODK was established in 1963 and has inducted over 1,100 students, faculty, and staff.  Student eligibility is based on the top 35 percent of each class in scholarship, as well as participation in one of the following:  athletics, music, arts, journalism, and community service.

Newly inducted members include:  graduate student Debra Tysor ‘23, Elkins, West Virginia.  Seniors Payton Hefner ‘23, Bridgeport, West Virginia; Rebekah Sikora ‘23, Morgantown, West Virginia;  Hope Wyatt ‘23, Tornado, West Virginia.  Juniors Alienor Dalle ‘24, Belgium; Stephen Groves ‘24, Bridgeport, West Virginia, Jillian Morgan ‘24, Dailey, West Virginia, Madison Rowe ‘24, Nashua, New Hampshire, and Hannah Walters ‘24, Cabins, West Virginia.  Sophomores Katherine Caldwell ‘25, Buckhannon, West Virginia, Brooklyn Farley ‘25, Kermit, West Virginia, Elizabeth Mazzariello ‘25, Somerset, Pennsylvania, Bree Moll ‘25, Craigsville, West Virginia, Danica Propst ‘25, Martinsburg, West Virginia, and Eden Reynolds ‘25, Cross Lanes, West Virginia .

Also inducted were Dr. R. Daniel Martin, professor and director athletic training, Anita Dib, director of the learning center, and Elisabeth Rogers ‘97, director of library services.

Participating in the ceremony were Dr. Thomas Smith, faculty advisor,  Dean of Students Alisa Lively, and Alison Whitehair, vice president for student affairs.  Officers participating included Mari-Jane McLeod ‘23, president, and Kevin Shrewsbury ‘23,  vice president.  Student officers for the 2023-2024 academic year include Bree Moll, president, Alienor Dalle, vice president, and Stephen Groves, treasurer. 

Omicron Delta Kappa was founded on December 3, 1914, on the campus of Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Virginia.  The Society was founded by a group of 15 students and faculty who believed that leadership at the collegiate level should be recognized and encouraged across all phases of campus life.  The motives which guided the founders sprang from the desire to bring together one body for the general good of the institution, leaders from all parts of the college or university community.  The success of the ODK idea, an essential part of which is its inter-generational nature and a determination to maintain a consistent and high standards of leadership recognition, led to the establishment of chapters, which are called circles, at other colleges.

ABOUT WEST VIRGINIA WESLEYAN COLLEGE
West Virginia Wesleyan College (WVWC) is a private, four-year residential liberal arts and sciences college in Buckhannon, West Virginia. A tradition of excellence for more than 130 years, West Virginia Wesleyan is home to 14 Fulbright Scholars. The Princeton Review ranked Wesleyan one of its 2023 Best Colleges in the Southeastern Region of the United States. U.S. News & World Report’s 2022-2023 Best College Rankings designated Wesleyan seventh in Best Value – Regional Universities (South). WVWC offers students more than 40 majors and 40 minors; graduate programs in athletic training, business administration, creative writing, and nursing; 22 NCAA Division II athletic programs; multiple performing arts groups; and more than 70 organizations. Founded in 1890, the College is closely affiliated with the United Methodist Church and abides by the Wesley doctrine that emphasizes service to others. For more information, visit wvwc.edu.