Quarterly
LEADERSHIP FOR LIFE: STAY CONNECTED
W Leadership Beyond the Ceremony
Originally from Lawrenceburg, Tennessee, Burleson graduated from Tennessee Tech in May 2026 with a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies. She now serves as a case manager, criminal justice liaison, and certified peer recovery specialist at Buffalo Valley West in Hohenwald, Tennessee. Looking back, she says what drew her to O∆K was the Society’s emphasis on leadership, scholarship, and service, and the meaningful recognition of her dedication to serving others.
hen Andrea Burleson was initiated into Omicron Delta Kappa on March 26, 2024, at Tennessee Tech University, she knew the honor represented more than academic achievement. For Burleson, O∆K recognized a lifelong commitment to leadership, service, and helping others.
That sense of purpose only deepened after initiation.
Burleson’s journey since joining O∆K has included balancing school, professional responsibilities, and significant personal health challenges, including epilepsy,
lupus, trigeminal neuralgia, and brain surgery. Through it all, she says her O∆K membership became a reminder of the values she wanted to continue living out each day.
“Being part of the Society has strengthened my commitment to leadership, service, and lifelong learning,” she reflects.
She also found inspiration in the people she met through O∆K. Connecting with other students recognized for their leadership and service reinforced the importance of building supportive communities and surrounding yourself with people who encourage growth.
Today, Burleson views O∆K as far more than a line on a résumé.
“O∆K membership means being part of a community that values leadership, service, character, and excellence,” she says. “It is one of the honors I am most proud to have received.”
Professionally, the experience strengthened her confidence as a leader and reinforced the importance of serving others with compassion and dedication.
Continued on page 4.
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
“The world has enough people who can direct. It needs more people who lead with genuine human connection and care.
Leading with Compassion:
The Underrated Skill That Sets Great Leaders Apart
hen we think about leadership, we gravitate to visionary, decisive, strategic. Compassion rarely tops the list. Yet a growing body of research suggests it may be one of the most powerful — and most trainable — leadership capacities available to us. As members of Omicron Delta Kappa, you are called to lead. And leading well requires more than competence. It requires genuine care in action.
Compassion is frequently confused with empathy, but they are meaningfully different. Empathy means feeling what others feel — which can actually overwhelm and exhaust leaders. Compassion goes further: it is an awareness of a person’s condition, coupled with genuine concern and a willingness to act.¹ Leaders who lead with compassion are better equipped to make clearheaded decisions that actually help.² They are perceived as stronger and more effective, and their teams show higher trust, collaboration, and retention.3
Compassionate leadership means noticing, asking, and following up. It means creating space where people feel seen before they feel managed. Compassion is a skill, not a personality trait, which means it can be developed. Start small: check in before you check off your agenda. Ask how someone is doing and wait for the real answer. These micro-moments compound into the kind of leadership that O∆K’s founding principles envisioned — one where character, not just credentials, defines a leader.
Yours in O∆K, Jennifer L. Waller, Ph.D.
(Washington
& Lee University)
President and Chief Executive Officer
Omicron Delta Kappa Society and Educational Foundation, Inc.
MEET THE 2026 NATIONAL Leaders OF THE YEAR
Each year, O∆K recognizes six outstanding undergraduate members as National Leaders of the Year. One recipient receives the Gen. Russell E. Dougherty National Leader of the Year Award, a $4,000 prize, while five additional honorees are recognized across O∆K’s pillars of campus life: academics and research, athletics, service to campus community, communications, and creative and performing arts, each receiving a $1,000 award. Winners are selected by O∆K’s National Awards Committee. Congratulations to this year’s outstanding honorees.
Elyse Warren (Millsaps College)
Gen. Russell E. Dougherty National Leader of the Year
A finalist for the Rhodes Scholarship, Warren graduated from Millsaps College with degrees in mathematics and neuroscience, where she distinguished herself as a student-athlete, researcher, and campus leader. This fall, she will begin medical school at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, continuing her commitment to leadership, scholarship, and service.
Jonathan Bonamarte (Tennessee Technological University)
Creative and Performing Arts
An architecture and interior design major, Bonamarte leads the Society of Architecture and Interior Design, performs with the Tennessee Tech Orchestra, and plans graduate studies in project management.
Olivia Danos (Millsaps College)
Athletics
A health and exercise science graduate, Danos served as captain of the Millsaps volleyball team and as secretary of the Millsaps College O∆K Circle. She plans to attend physical therapy school.
Elizabeth Kameen (Moravian University)
Communications
With a 3.93 GPA in English and political science, Kameen managed the campus newspaper, co-founded the Humanities Club, and earned numerous writing awards. She will teach English in Slovakia next year.
Sarp Sahin (Washington and Lee University) Academics and Research
A Barry Goldwater Scholar with a 4.0 GPA and four peer-reviewed publications, Sahin founded the campus chapter of Remote Area Medical, providing over $500,000 in free medical care to underserved communities.
Mareham Yacoub (Johns Hopkins University) Service to Campus and Community
With a 3.93 GPA in materials science and engineering, Yacoub shaped undergraduate success policies as a Hopkins Undergraduate Leader in Advising and co-presided over The Women’s Network.
&A Q with David
Ellington
Why is it important to you to give consistently each year?
I believe the goals of O∆K are honorable, and the objectives, both short and long term, do not pay for themselves. O∆K’s programs and circles need funding to operate, and I am glad to help support the organization and the work it does for students today in their quest to make a meaningful contribution to society.
How has O∆K influenced your personal or professional journey?
I graduated from VMI in 1971 and was later inducted into the Alpha Circle at Washington and Lee as a member ex urbe, alongside many others in the community who made significant contributions to establish the local Free Clinic, now the Rockbridge Area Health Clinic. I served as its volunteer Medical Director until I retired from medical practice. Looking back, that experience reflects the pillars of service to community and fellowship well.
Are there any memories from your O∆K experience that stand out?
Serving on the O∆K Scholarship Awards Committee for several years has been one of the most rewarding parts of my involvement. Reviewing applications from members across the country has given me real confidence in the future of our society and nation. These students are smart, motivated, and generous with their circles and communities. I also carry a lesson from my Army years. An officer who outranked me once observed that there are two types of leaders: those who talk about leading, and those who lead. I believe O∆K produces the latter, individuals who lead with honesty and integrity, and who show up even when it is uncomfortable or inconvenient.
What would you say to encourage others to support O∆K?
O∆K is a society of leaders, and leaders lead by example. Not everyone’s financial situation allows for a large contribution every year, but in reality, every gift helps, from small to greatly magnanimous. Make giving a habit. I do not think you will ever regret it.
David Ellington (Washington and Lee University) is a retired family physician who practiced in Lexington, Virginia, for 30 years. A Virginia Military Institute graduate and Army veteran, he has served as president of the Virginia Academy of Family Physicians and the Medical Society of Virginia and as a physician member of the American Medical Association’s CPT Panel. David lives in Lexington, Virginia.
Continued from page 1.
In her work with individuals navigating recovery and the criminal justice system, she draws on the patience, humility, and commitment that have guided her educational and leadership journey.
Personally, O∆K gave her a greater sense of belonging and purpose.
“It reminds me that leadership is not only about achievement,” she says, “but also about helping others succeed.”
One of the moments that remains most meaningful to her is the initiation ceremony itself. Being surrounded by students who shared a commitment to leadership, service, and academic excellence left a lasting impression. She also credits a Tennessee Tech mentor, Professor Lisa Brown, whose encouragement and belief in her abilities helped shape her journey.
For Burleson, those relationships are part of what makes staying connected to O∆K so valuable. The lessons, encouragement, and shared commitment to service continue long after graduation.
That is the message she hopes current students and fellow members will remember.
“O∆K offers much more than an honor society membership,” she says. “It provides a community of leaders who support and inspire one another. The connections, experiences, and values you gain can positively influence both your professional and personal life for years to come.”
Her advice is simple: embrace the opportunity fully, stay involved, and remain connected beyond initiation. You may discover opportunities, relationships, and sources of encouragement that shape your life in ways you never imagined.
For Burleson, that continued connection has become one of the most meaningful parts of the O∆K experience. ●
“ life by increasing my confidence, strengthening my leadership abilities, and reminding me of the importance of service and humility.”
—Andrea Burleson (Tennessee Tech University)
member spotlight
Derek D. Bardell (Tulane University)
Derek D. Bardell, a longtime educator, has dedicated more than two decades to advancing education, leadership, and community engagement across the Greater New Orleans area. He currently serves as an adjunct professor at Delgado Community College, where he teaches business administration, African American history, and teaching and learning while completing a doctorate in Leadership and Learning in Organizations at Vanderbilt University.
A graduate of Dillard University and Tulane University, Bardell is a certified educational administrator, Certified Nonprofit Professional, and recipient of the Higher One Financial Literacy Grant. His research focuses on higher education management and organizational development, reflecting a career devoted to strengthening educational institutions and expanding opportunities for students.
Beyond the classroom, Bardell has served in numerous leadership roles with nonprofit and educational organizations, including as chairman of the French and Montessori Education (FAME) Board of Directors and the Delgado Community College Care and Development of Young Children Board of Advisors. His service has also included leadership with CASA Jefferson, Youth on the Move, and the United States Selective Service District Appeals Board.
Throughout his career, Bardell has been recognized by educational, civic, and governmental organizations for his contributions to teaching, leadership, and public service. His commitment to lifelong learning and community impact exemplifies the values of Omicron Delta Kappa.
pillars of leadership awards
We are proud to celebrate two recipients of Omicron Delta Kappa’s Pillars of Leadership Awards, honoring distinguished leaders in communications and service to campus and community.
Service to Campus and Community
Throughout his distinguished career, Maurice A. Jones (Hampden-Sydney College) has expanded economic opportunity and strengthened communities through visionary leadership and public service. In recognition of his lifelong commitment to serving others, Omicron Delta Kappa named Jones the 2026 recipient of the Pillar of Leadership in Service to Campus and Community award. A respected civic leader and Rhodes Scholar, Jones exemplifies the Society’s highest ideals through his unwavering dedication to creating pathways to opportunity and empowering communities.
circle spotlight
RISE AND LEAD:
UMD Circle Hosts President’s Breakfast
The University of Minnesota Duluth Circle recently brought student leaders from organizations across campus together for a President’s Breakfast focused on connection, reflection, and growth. Attendees participated in small-group discussions exploring leadership styles, decisionmaking, goal setting, and strategic thinking while building relationships with fellow campus leaders. The event also featured a keynote address by Student Center Director Jeni Eltink, who shared insights on the importance of student leadership and the qualities that help leaders make a lasting impact on their campuses and communities.
Communications
For more than 40 years, Seidel (Salisbury University has helped millions prepare for severe weather through trusted, compassionate communication. In recognition of his distinguished career and unwavering commitment to public service, Omicron Delta Kappa named Seidel the recipient of the 2026 Pillar of Leadership in Communications award whose professional achievements reflect the Society’s highest ideals. Seidel’s dedication to accuracy, integrity, and public education has made him one of the nation’s most respected voices in broadcast meteorology.
John R. Alford (1934-2025)
John R. Alford’s life reflected the very best of Omicron Delta Kappa. A member of the Alpha Circle at Washington and Lee University, he exemplified leadership through scholarship, service, and an unwavering commitment to others. His remarkable record of campus leadership was only the beginning of a lifetime devoted to making a difference. Today, his legacy continues through the John R. Alford Scholarship in Law, established by his family to support future Alpha Circle members pursuing legal careers. We are deeply grateful for John’s enduring impact on O∆K and for the generosity of the Alford and Lowder families, whose vision ensures that his passion for leadership and service will continue to inspire generations of O∆K members to come.
• Edward R. Adams (University of Richmond)
• Charles W. Byers Ph.D. (University of Kentucky)
• Richard F. Carlile (Ohio University)
• Barbara T. Cromwell (Washington College)
• Waymon P. Elledge (University of Missouri–Kansas City)
• Donald M. Fisher (University of Delaware)
• Edward M. Friend III (University of Alabama)
• L’Issa L. Gates, M.D. (Loyola University New Orleans)
• Gail S. Glover (Agnes Scott College)
• Ralph H. Greil (Emory University)
• Richard “Rex”A. Gullufsen (Bowling Green State University)
• Eleanor “Jane” P. Hall (Murray State University)
• David H. Hattox (Mississippi College)
• Charles M. Hueber (Stephen F. Austin State University)
• Bertrand R. Hudnall II (Washington and Lee University)
• Elizabeth J. Hudson (Drexel University)
• Dr. Marvalene Hughes (Dillard University)
• James D. Humphries III (Washington and Lee University)
• Arthur H. Jacobs (Auburn University)
• Rex J. Kendall (Indiana State University)
• Larry G. Lee (Auburn University)
• Jessine A. Monaghan (Washington and Lee University)
• George E. Murphy (University of Texas at Austin)
• Walter Herbert O’Briant (Davidson College)
• Dimitri M. Petro (University of Pittsburgh)
• Phillips S. Peter (University of Virginia)
• James A. Robins (Samford University)
• Dr. James R. Rowland (Oklahoma State University)
• Charles S. Russell (University of Virginia)
• Hilton Lamar Ruth (Davidson College)
• Eric L. Sisler (Washington and Lee University)
• Henry G. Simpson (Randolph-Macon College)
• David S. Spangler (Carnegie Mellon University)
• Frederick Earl Stanton (Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University)
• Kevin J. Staten (University of Arkansas)
• Francis E. “Ted” Steinmeyer III (Florida State University)
• William E. Swartz (Bucknell University)
• Idris R. Taylor Jr. (Texas Tech University)
• Rodney Teachout (Drake University)
• Thomas W . Van Dyke (University of Kansas)
• Dr. Garrett B. Vonk (Keiser University)
• Herbert S. Wilkinson (George Washington University)
• Thorn S. Winter III (Duke University)
• Bruce A. Wunder (Whittier College)
• Lt. Col. John F. Yount (University of Tennessee, Knoxville)
• Norval F. Ziegler (University of Arkansas)
Remembering Frank W. Friedman
O∆K honors Frank Friedman (HampdenSydney College), longtime mayor of Lexington, Virginia, and a steadfast supporter of the Society, who passed away on July 2, 2026. As mayor of the city where O∆K was founded and has headquartered since 2010, Friedman was a valued friend whose leadership, generosity, and dedication strengthened the Lexington community. He will be remembered for his compassionate service and enduring commitment to making a difference.
Career Development Webinar Series
July 30, at 12:00 p.m. EST
Sarah A. Paul, FCA, ACTI FROM LEDGERS TO LIVED EXPERIENCE: Turning Professional Skills into Policy Impact
August 26, at 1:00 p.m. EST
Daniel Duran
THE POWER OF PERSISTENCE: Building a Meaningful Career
September 16, at 1:00 p.m. EST
Deon Sanders
LEADERSHIP AND CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT THROUGH NUTRITION
November 10, at 12:00 p.m. EST
Dr. Angela Harrison, DEL, MBA, MLS, FACHDM THE ART OF AGREEING TO DISAGREE
224 McLaughlin St. Lexington, VA 24450-2002
Follow us on social media and join the O∆K Discord community. Visit odk.org to learn more about the impact we’re making together.
graduation photo contest Congratulations
1 3 WINNERS
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.
Jane Njuguna Westminster College (Missouri)
S.L. Ivey University of North Carolina Charlotte Noa Berger Tulane University