Forty inducted into Omicron Delta Kappa at MSSU

(From Southern News Service)

Forty students, two faculty members and University President Dr. Alan Marble were inducted into the Golden Crest Circle of Omicron Delta Kappa during a ceremony held Nov. 15 at Missouri Southern State University.

Membership into the national leadership honor society is based on exemplary leadership, scholarship and character. The society recognizes achievement in five areas: scholarship; athletics; campus and community service, social and religious activities, and campus government; journalism, speech and mass media; and the creative and performing arts.

Michelle R. Burke, ODK national vice president, gave congratulatory remarks. She presented the 2015 Morlan-Bishop Outstanding Faculty Officer Award to Dr. Elaine Freeman, retired professor of teacher education. Burke also presented the 2015 Student Leader of the Year Award in the area of Creative and Performing Arts to past ODK Student President Bethany Mullins, senior music performance and instrumental music education major.

ODK was founded Dec. 3, 1914, at Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Virginia by 15 student and faculty leaders. There are currently more than 200 active circles at colleges and universities across the United States.

Those initiated during the ceremony were:


Dr. Alan D. Marble, honoris causa, Neosho

Dr. David L. Sharlow, faculty, Joplin

Dr. Karen M. Kostan, faculty, Carthage

Ashley Abeyta, LaCygne, Kan.

Diana Karen Aguinaga, Carthage

Theresa D. Botzow, Monett

Forrest Bunter, Neosho

Paige Burris, Joplin

Breana R. Clark, Joplin

Kandace D. Eck, Sarcoxie

Joshua Foster, Bella Vista, Ark.

Blair Freed, Joplin

Taylor Diahann Gaines, Miami, Okla.

Emily Kay Harris, Farmington

Brooke Henry Gariss, Neosho

Kurt Housh, Carthage

Jayce Hylton, Carl Junction

Hannah Ishmael, Sand Springs, Okla.

Kyle Jacobs, Joplin

Rachel Leighann Weaver Johnson, Joplin

Tyler Matthew Jones, Webb City

Jennifer Journeycake, Afton, Okla.

Allison Kean, Joplin

Bria Rose Lamica, Joplin

Cole M. Lawver, Joplin

Holly Loncarich, Joplin

Alex Mauser, Joplin

MiLeah McGuire, Joplin

Samuel Lee Miller, Richland

Lucas Eli Moran, Joplin

John Hai Duong Nguyen, Joplin

Ashlea Danielle Norman, Joplin

Kristina Pritchard, Liberal

Lindsey Elyse Quattlebaum, Bella Vista, Ark.

Holly Ratliff, Valley Center, Kan.

Nicholas Ryan Reddy, Independence, Kan.

Matthew Robertson, Carthage

Drake Smelser, Hillsboro

Erika Shaun Smith, Joplin

Alexandra Noelle Starks, Sugar Land, Texas

Dana Stiles, Joplin

Garret T. Ward, Joplin

Rachel Kristin Whitehead, Seneca