RECOGNIZING CAMPUS COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP
Omicron Delta Kappa – one of the most prestigious national societies to recognize leadership – is now accepting applications for the Spring 2025 semester. The Sigma Circle of ODK at College Park began in 1927 and, since then, has initiated over 4,000 students, faculty, staff, alumni, and honorary members. ODK tapped Senator Joe Tydings in 1950 when he was playing varsity lacrosse and US Congressman Steny Hoyer in 1962 when he was SGA Vice President. ODK has also initiated other proven leaders such as Civil Rights Activist Julian Bond, Coach Brenda Frese, ESPN’s Scott Van Pelt, and President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The names of all of these outstanding leaders, along with many others, are engraved on the ODK Fountain on McKeldin Mall. Some of our current members include Goldwater Scholars, National Champions, presidents and founders of many campus organizations, editors, writers, journalists, and performers. Additionally, many of our Sigma Circle members advocate for the members of our campus community through SGA, RHA, advisory committees, and steering groups.
ODK brings together junior, senior, and graduate students with our most outstanding faculty and staff members, to recognize campus leaders and to encourage other students to achieve. We seek accomplished leaders in five areas of campus community life.
❖ SCHOLARSHIP
❖ ATHLETICS
❖ CAMPUS OR COMMUNITY SERVICE, SOCIAL, RELIGIOUS ACTIVITIES AND CAMPUS GOVERNMENT
❖ JOURNALISM, SPEECH, AND THE MASS MEDIA
❖ CREATIVE AND PERFORMING ARTS
Omicron Delta Kappa requires a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.650 for juniors (60-89 credits), 3.700 for seniors (90+ credits), and 3.800 for graduate students to be considered for membership.
Applications are available ONLINE now! Students should visit www.odk.umd.edu to begin the
application process. Applications must be received electronically no later than 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 13. For more information and clarification about how to complete this application, we encourage you to view the tutorial uploaded to the application website. Additionally, there is a comprehensive frequently asked questions file that we encourage applicants to view as well for information and answers to their questions.
application process. Applications must be received electronically no later than 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 13. For more information and clarification about how to complete this application, we encourage you to view the tutorial uploaded to the application website. Additionally, there is a comprehensive frequently asked questions file that we encourage applicants to view as well for information and answers to their questions.
Each year, Omicron Delta Kappa - Sigma Circle also seeks to encourage freshmen and sophomore student leaders to strengthen their leadership skills by recognizing their achievements on campus through the Top Ten Freshmen and Sophomore Leader of the Year awards.
The Sigma Circle selects the Top Ten Freshmen and Sophomore Leader of the Year using the same five areas of campus community life that are used in selecting our regular membership class:
❖ SCHOLARSHIP
❖ CAMPUS OR COMMUNITY SERVICE, SOCIAL, RELIGIOUS ACTIVITIES AND
CAMPUS GOVERNMENT
❖ ATHLETICS
❖ JOURNALISM, SPEECH AND THE MASS MEDIA
❖ CREATIVE AND PERFORMING ARTS
❖ CAMPUS OR COMMUNITY SERVICE, SOCIAL, RELIGIOUS ACTIVITIES AND
CAMPUS GOVERNMENT
❖ ATHLETICS
❖ JOURNALISM, SPEECH AND THE MASS MEDIA
❖ CREATIVE AND PERFORMING ARTS
This year, both applications will open on Monday, February 3 and closing Thursday, February 20 at 4:00 p.m. Please feel free to email us at odk@umd.edu if you have any questions and check out our website at www.odk.umd.edu to read more about the awards and past award recipients.
