Quarterly
The Honor 59 Years in the Making
By Jamie F. Bouldin
Thomas Fowler has always been proud to be a member of Omicron Delta Kappa. A 1963 initiate of the University of Houston Circle and student body president, he graduated in 1966. Yet, for decades, his O∆K pride was accompanied by a lingering discomfort.
“My wife, Cheryl Lynn Pampe Fowler, was not eligible for membership back in those days,” Fowler wrote in an email to the O∆K National Headquarters and the UH Circle advisors. O∆K did not begin initiating women until 1974.
Pampe Fowler graduated from UH in 1966 and served in a variety of leadership roles, including chair of the first organized freshman orientation and president of her dormitory council. After graduation, she continued to lead in her community. A devoted volunteer for the Brazosport Fine Arts Council, she helped create their Elizabethan Madrigal Feast and served as costumer for more than 50 shows at Brazosport Center Stages.
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leadership doesn’t stop at initiation
O∆K’s community is a dynamic network of leaders who exemplify scholarship, service, and integrity. Recognition in O∆K does not end with initiation, and members continue to lead, achieve, and make an impact on campuses, in their careers, and in their communities. We invite members and circles to share their achievements for our monthly Member Achievements e-newsletter and to submit leadership stories for Member and Circle Spotlights. Scan the QR codes to share your news.
Thomas and Cheryl Fowler engagement photo, 1966.
New Beginnings, Stronger Connections
As we welcome the spring season, Omicron Delta Kappa enters a time of new beginnings, a moment to reflect on our progress while embracing new ways to connect with our members. One of those changes is the launch of this quarterly newsletter, designed to share news from the Society more frequently and in a more timely way. By publishing four shorter issues each year, we hope to keep you better informed about the work, impact, and opportunities within O∆K.
This issue also provides a look back at the past year through our “By the Numbers” summary and highlights from the 2025 annual and financial report. These snapshots give us an opportunity to reflect and recognize the continued dedication of campus circles and volunteers who advance O∆K’s mission every day.
Since its founding in 1914, Omicron Delta Kappa has celebrated leaders who bring together the various communities of campus life. More than a century later, that purpose remains as important as ever. Our Society now includes hundreds of thousands of members worldwide, united by a shared commitment to leadership, scholarship, and service. As higher education and the world around us continue to evolve, O∆K remains focused on strengthening these connections and creating meaningful opportunities for members to engage with one another.
The start of something new, whether a season, an initiative, or a publication, reminds us that growth often begins with a simple step forward. Thank you for being part of the O∆K community and for the leadership you bring to your campuses, professions, and communities.
Yours in O∆K,
Jennifer L. Waller, Ph.D.
(Washington & Lee University, 2024) President and Chief Executive Officer
Omicron Delta Kappa Society and Educational Foundation, Inc.
Maureen E. Morgan (Marietta College, 1992) Chair, Board of Trustees
Omicron Delta Kappa Society and Educational Foundation, Inc.
O∆K Members At-A- Gl ance
393,721 all time members
835 Thank You Donors raised for the annual fund
5,446 new members in FY 2025 donors
$165,163 first time donors 70 raised on national day of giving $33,186
INCOME*
l Membership Income 45.2%
l Investment Gain 21.9%
l Unrestricted Income 16.4%
l Restricted Income 11.3%
l Merchandise Sales and Royalty Income (net) 5.2%
l Circle Visits, Installations, and Travel 29.1%
l Management/Administration 23.2%
l Fundraising 13.4%
l Governance 10.3%
l Scholarships & Grants 10.2%
l Programs 10.2%
l Membership & Magazine 3.6%
*Income figures include new pledges, permanently restricted endowment gifts and pledges, as well as interest earnings on restricted endowment accounts. Endowments primarily support scholarships. Scholarship amounts are determined based on the market value of the endowed accounts as of December 31 of each year.
Emory University 01-24-1925
University of Kentucky 05-04-1925
University of Virginia 05-28-1925
&A Q with Katy Datz donor
Why is it important to you to give consistently each year?
Working in advancement, I see firsthand that participation is a powerful message in itself. Consistent annual giving is my way of leading by example. It serves as a reminder to the community that every gift, regardless of the number of zeros, is vital to the health of the organization. I give so I can encourage others to join me in the habit of philanthropy.
How has O∆K influenced your personal or professional journey?
O∆K was the place where I truly learned how to lead. More importantly, it instilled in me a deep belief in the importance of supporting educational institutions as the foundation of a better society.
Are there any memories from your O∆K experience that stand out?
The moments that stand out most are the quiet, transformative conversations I had while interviewing and learning from remarkable leaders, including the late Joe Johnson (President Emeritus of the University of Tennessee); Bill Latture (son of O∆K founder Rupert Latture); Bill Johnston (former President of the New York Stock Exchange); Sally Jones Hill (Auburn University), the first woman to receive O∆K’s Laurel Crowned Circle Award; and Sally Albrecht (Rollins College), a world-renowned composer and O∆K Foundation President. Seeing these leaders live out the Five Pillars with such humility was life-changing. They showed that true stature comes not from what you achieve, but from how much you give back.
What would you say to encourage others to support O∆K?
Now more than ever, our world needs leaders who act with integrity, courage, and kindness. I invite you to join me in supporting O∆K, not just as a donor, but as a partner in sustaining principled leadership for the next generation.
Katy Datz (Roanoke College) is the Dean of Advancement at Stuart Hall School, where she leads efforts to strengthen community engagement, philanthropy, and alumni relations. Passionate about building meaningful connections, she is dedicated to advancing the school’s mission and creating opportunities for students to thrive. Katy lives in Fishersville, Virginia, and is a proud mom to her seven-year-old son, Rory.
Continued from page 1.
“Her touch has reached into education, design, business, and theater,” Fowler wrote. “Frankly, I am a little embarrassed when I receive correspondence from O∆K or put on my O∆K lapel pin because I feel that I should do something to correct for the injustice of female exclusion that we accepted as normal in the 1960s. She is so much more deserving of the honor than I ever was.”
Nearly six decades after her time on campus, that recognition finally came. On October 8, 2025, Pampe Fowler became an honorary member of the UH Circle and delivered the keynote address at the initiation ceremony. Her remarks centered on her leadership experiences and the extent to which the campus has changed since the 1960s.
“There have been many changes in the opportunities for women on campus, as well as the world in general, so that is encouraging, but there is still more work to be done by the generation of your current students,” she said.
Women were often excluded from leadership roles in the 1960s, Pampe Fowler said, so at the time, it seemed somewhat normal that O∆K would recognize only males as student leaders. When she
Thomas and Cheryl Fowler at their wedding in 1966.
Mrs. Fowler’s achievements in her local community are the kind of lifelong leadership that inspires us all as O∆K members.
—Circle Coordinator Alice Yang (University of Houston)
found out that her husband had petitioned the Society for her inclusion as a member, she reflected on her fellow student leaders from her college days.
“I remember thinking that there were many other women students besides myself who would be much more qualified than Cheryl Pampe to receive such recognition if they had someone like my husband who would think to nominate them,” Pampe Fowler said.
Pampe Fowler was initiated alongside 36 students and one other alumnus.
“My favorite part of the evening was chatting with some of the inductees who stayed later to talk,” she said.
member
spotlight
“They were so enthusiastic and passionate about what they hoped to do after graduation that I felt there was hope for our future. Also, I was very impressed to see the cultural diversity found in the city of Houston reflected in the diverse group of current student leaders.”
The UH advisors were eager to include Pampe Fowler into their new class of initiates.
“It was truly an honor to initiate Mrs. Fowler into the Omicron Delta Kappa Circle at the University of Houston,” Alice Yang, circle coordinator, said. “At the University of Houston, student leadership is the cornerstone of our campus community, and Mrs.
Ken Davis
Georgia State University
Dr. Ken Davis, a proud O∆K Legacy Member, brings a remarkable legacy to O∆K, one that began at the very founding of the Society’s Georgia State University Circle, where he served as its first president in 1968. A student government president at Oglethorpe University, Davis led the GSU circle petition while earning his Master’s in History, presenting it at the national meeting in Atlanta that April.
Shortly after, Davis was commissioned as an Army officer, going on to serve in Vietnam as a signal company commander and earning two Bronze Star awards. He returned stateside to earn his PhD in History from the University of Virginia in 1975, then built a distinguished career as a federal civilian employee, retiring in 2020 at the GS-15 Director level with more than 25 awards for service
Fowler’s leadership while a student at UH reflects the kind of integrity, service, and impact we strive to cultivate in every Houston Cougar. Furthermore, Mrs. Fowler’s achievements in her local community are the kind of lifelong leadership that inspires us all as O∆K members.” l
across the National Archives, GSA, and the Defense Logistics Agency.
His Army Reserve career was equally impressive, culminating in his promotion to Colonel in 1993 after commanding two Pentagon units. He retired from the Reserve in 2002 with 31 years of service and 16 awards, including a Legion of Merit.
Throughout it all, Davis remained devoted to the Boy Scouts of America, a commitment now spanning 70 years.
An Eagle Scout since 1959, his scouting honors include the Silver Buffalo, the National Eagle Scout Outstanding Eagle Award, and authorship of three books on Scouting history.
Cheryl Fowler at her honorary induction into O∆K at the University of Houston.
Joyce Johnson (1950-2025)
O∆K joins Trustee Emeritus Richard “Rich” S. Johnson (University of Richmond) in honoring his wife, Joyce Edwards Johnson, who passed away November 23, 2025, in Richmond, Virginia. A devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, Joyce lived a life grounded in love, generosity, and service.
Her warmth was felt by all who knew her. She was deeply committed to her family and community, always the first to lend a hand or offer encouragement. Joyce believed in education and lifelong learning, supporting many programs. In 2021, the O∆K national headquarters was named the Joyce E. and Richard S. Johnson Center for Leadership.
• James W. Adams
Louisiana Tech University
• John R. Alford
Washington and Lee University
• Frederick J. Asals
William & Mary
• Winfield M. Baird
Vanderbilt University
• Carson H. Barnes Jr.
William & Mary
• Abraham F. Baron
University of Iowa
• Thomas P. Barton
University of Arkansas
• Lucien L. Bass III
University of Virginia
• Harlan R. Beckley
Washington and Lee University
• Richard T. Bennett
Mississippi College
• Lee L. Bodenhamer
University of Arkansas
• R. Michael Booker
Auburn University
• Jay R. Byers
Simpson College
• Marvin H. Cambell
Auburn University
• Charles M. Caravti Jr.
University of Virginia
• Cate E. Cardinale
Erskine College
• John T. Casteen III
University of Virginia
• Victor Cavanaugh
Centre College
• James T. Cleary
University of North Georgia
• Martha Layne Collins
Georgetown College
• Mark D. Coplin
University of Maryland, College Park
• O. Wayne Corley
University of South Carolina
• Michael Covert
Millsaps College
• C. Coleman Daniel III
Birmingham-Southern College
• Daniel J. Darcy
University of Tampa
• G. William Davenport
Birmingham-Southern College
• Julius Davidson
Samford University
• James A. Davis
Randolph-Macon College
• Richard E. Dickerson
Carnegie Mellon University
• R. Donald Divers
Virginia Tech University
• Ervin E. Dvorak
University of Missouri
Kansas City
• Edgar B. Fisher
Duke University
• Gerald E. Fisher
Randolph-Macon College
• Milton “Butch” Frank, III University of Alabama
• Nicholas W. Geragotelis Belmont University
• Reginald D. Gilbert
Auburn University
• John C. Gillette
University of Akron
• George O. Griffith
University of Mississippi
• Darrell W. Gurney
University of Texas at Austin
• Josephine J. Hardin
Sewanee - The University of the South
• Charles D. Harman, Jr.
Virginia Tech University
• Marvin H. Harrison II
Auburn University
• Loring R. Helfrich
Denison Univeristy
• Robert L. Hewitt
Univeristy of Louisville
• J. Gill Holland
Washington and Lee University
• Charles R. Hough
Washington and Lee University
• Frank M. Houston
Louisiana State University
• Donald W. Huffman
Virginia Tech University
• Jeanette W. Hyde
Delta State University
• Rabbi Walter Jacob Drury University
• Henry J. Jaroszewski
University of Akron
• David A. Jenkins University of Virginia
Remembering
• William R. Johnson University of Alabama
• Paul M. Kaihlanen Case Western Reserve University
• Jason L. Kinnard University of Tennessee Knoxville
• Lloyd L. Kirk University of Kansas
• H.C. Kresge Rollins College
• James E. Kulp Hampden-Sydney College
• Marvin H. Levick University of Pittsburg
Thomas G. Gooodale
O∆K honors Thomas G. Goodale (University of Florida), who served as executive director from 2009 to 2012. He passed away on January 5, 2025, at the age of 84. A recipient of O∆K’s Eldridge W. Roark, Jr. Meritorious Service Award, Goodale was recognized for his dedication to the Society.
Goodale led O∆K through a pivotal period, overseeing the 2010 and 2012 national conventions and the Society’s relocation to Lexington, Virginia. During his tenure, more than $400,000 was raised to purchase headquarters, and 14 new circles were chartered. He also helped lay the groundwork for O∆K’s centennial.
A former vice president for Student Affairs at Virginia Tech, he leaves a lasting legacy of service, leadership, and commitment to students.
• Gerald M. Lowrie
University of Memphis
• Francis “Mic” J. MacCoy III
William & Mary
• Edgar H. Mackinlay
Washington and Lee University
• James D. Markov
University of Akron
• Raphael Mariano
University of New Orleans
• J. Michael Marr
Elon University
• Charles Marvin University of Kansas
• Richard H. Mattern
University of Pittsburgh
• Kenneth E. Mayhew
Duke University
• Robert L. Mayo
Auburn University
• Joseph W. McDonald
Washington and Lee University
• Max D. McGinn
Wake Forest University
• George D. McMillan
Auburn University
• John F. McMullan
University of Georgia
• G. Otis Mead
Washington and Lee University
• Paul H. Miller
Ohio University
• Carl E. Mitchell
Washington University in St. Louis
• Anne M. Moman University of Alabama
• William F. Morgan
Emory University
• Albert J. Morhard
Case Western Reserve University
• John G. Morris
Emory University
• Michael D. Nee
Miami University
• Andrew R. Neureuther University of Illinois -Champaign/Urbana
• John B. Obenchain
Virginia Tech University
• Samuel B. Olden Jr. University of Mississippi
Barbara A. Pate
University of Texas at Austin
• J.W. Patterson
University of Kentucky
• Karl E. Peters
Rollins College
• Dianne L. Phelps
Ferris State University
• Larry R. Pilot
Wayne State University
• James L. Powell
Wake Forest University
• Marsha L. Powers
Mississippi College
• Whayne C. Priest Jr.
University of Kentucky
• David D. Redmond
Washington and Lee University
• Gary W. Rust
Washington University in St. Louis
• Thomas G. Sanders
Duke University
• Maurice W. Scherrens
Newberry College
• Jean H. Scherschligt
University of South Dakota
• William Schiesser
Lehigh University
• Olana L. Hedrick-Sheaffer
Penn State University Altoona
• David C. Simpson
University of Alabama
• Frederick W. Smith
Rhodes College
• Edward Steinkerchner
University of Akron
• John D. Stempel
University of Kentucky
• Albert H. Strurgess Emory University
• James W. Stuckert
University of Kentucky
• Philip Taliaferro Centre College
• Capp E. Turner
University of Kentucky
• Michael W. Vann
Auburn University
• Walter H. Wagner Muhlenberg College
• John T. Wagnon
University ofAlabama
• Jerry J. Wall
University of Georgia
• Orville W. Wallar, Jr. Drury University
• Charles E. Whaley University of Kentucky
• Joseph G. Whelan
University of Louisville
• Charles A. Wiedman
Case Western Reserve University
• Charles L. Wilder
Centenary College of Louisiana
• William D. Zirkle
Virginia Tech University
O∆K headquarters staff have presented the Stone Ethical Leadership Challenge to circles at the University of Georgia, Radford, Trinity, Old Dominion, UAB, UVA, Towson, and Truman State during the 2025–April 2026 cycle, with Grand Valley and East Carolina also hosting the program independently.
This flexible leadership development program helps institutions build a signature leadership experience grounded in values and real-world decision-making.
Scan the QR code to learn more.
Participating in the Stone Ethical Leadership Challenge provided our UAB Circle of O∆K an opportunity to grow as ethical leaders who think critically, act intentionally, and serve authentically. We were delighted that Jamie Bouldin facilitated the workshop for us, and our members had a great time discussing the thought-provoking scenarios and how ethical considerations could - and should - shape our actions.
—Dr. Shannon L. Blanton, O∆K Faculty Advisor, University of Alabama at Birmingham
Truman State University
University of Virginia
Join O∆K on Tuesday, May 5th as we come together to invest in our members and the future we’re building. Every gift, of any amount, strengthens our programs and advances our mission.
Help Us Reach Our Goal to Raise $35,000
Thank You for Making an Impact
This year’s 18th National Day of Service took place on April 11, bringing members together in support of education and youth empowerment. O∆K partnered with Cradles to Crayons, which provides children in foster care with essential items such as clothing, school supplies, and everyday necessities.
In Philadelphia, members volunteered to sort donated clothing by size, preparing resources for children in need. Volunteers sorted about 280 clothing items, serving approximately 40 children. Those unable to attend in person still made an impact by mailing caring cards, purchasing items from the Amazon wishlist, and participating in local circle service projects.
O∆K is honored to have contributed to this important cause. We thank Cradles to Crayons for their partnership and all members whose service made a difference nationwide.
224 McLaughlin St. Lexington, VA 24450-2002
Be sure to follow us on social media and visit odk.org to learn more about the impact we’re making together.
Renew Today
Your engagement, insight, and enthusiasm are what make O∆K so special, and we don’t want to lose you. Renew today to stay connected to a community committed to leadership, with access to scholarships, career resources, valuable discounts, and a network of influential leaders.
Looking to deepen your commitment? Upgrade to a one-time Legacy Membership for lifelong access to O∆K benefits and recognition. The first 500 Legacy Members will receive a limited-edition commemorative coin and membership card.
Sign in at my.odk.org to renew or upgrade today.
Maria Robb (Widener University), Richard Jankowski (Bradley University), Debbie Jankowski, and Renata Stankowska (University of Richmond), volunteering with Cradles to Crayons in Philadelphia
Pictured above and below: The ECU Circle created bookmarks filled with study tips to support elementary students.