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Omicron Delta Kappa | |
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ΟΔΚ | |
Founded | December 3, 1914 Washington and Lee University |
Type | Honor society |
Affiliation | HSC |
Former Affiliation | ACHS |
Status | Active |
Scope | National |
Motto | "Success Achieved in Worthy Undertakings" |
Colors | Sky blue, White, and Black |
Symbol | A Laurel with Stars |
Flower | Blue delphinium |
Publication | The Circle |
Chapters | 300+ active; 418 chartered |
Members | 330,000+ lifetime |
Headquarters | 224 McLaughlin Street Lexington, Virginia 24450 United States |
Website | odk.org |
Omicron Delta Kappa (ΟΔΚ), also known as The Circle and ODK, is an honor society located in the United States with chapters at more than 300 college campuses. It was founded on December 3, 1914, at Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Virginia, by fifteen student and faculty leaders. The society recognizes achievement in five areas: scholarship; athletics; campus and community service, social or religious activities, and campus government; journalism, speech, and the mass media; and creative and performing arts. Some circles of ΟΔΚ are quasi-secret, in that newly selected members remain undisclosed for some time.
Membership in the Omicron Delta Kappa Society is regarded as an honor in the tradition of Phi Kappa Phi, Phi Beta Kappa and Tau Beta Pi. To be selected as a member of ΟΔΚ, students must be among the top 35 percent of all students at that particular institution and hold a leadership role in one of the society's five areas of recognition.