LEADER The Omicron Delta Kappa
Fall 2009
“To Recognize Leaders Among Leaders”
PRESIDENT OBAMA RALLIES ENTHUSIASTIC CROWD AT MARYLAND
ODK MEMBERS INVOLVED BROADLY ON CAMPUS By Kathy Chen
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he fall semester has just begun and the members of ODK are already immersed in various activities, both on- and off-campus. ODK members have long been recognized for their extensive involvement in community service and campus organizations. Many ODK members serve as Resident Assistants in the residence halls, are active members of intramural and club sports teams and are active volunteers in the community. This fall, ODK members will once again take the field and participate in interesting and engaging activities. As we all know, fall is the season for football – GO TERPS! ODK president Nadine Simpson is a proud member of the Mighty Sound of Maryland and is heavily involved in her National Honorary Band Sorority, Tau Beta Sigma. From now through December, Nadine and her sorority are volunteering to collect any instruments, instrumental accessories or monetary donations in conjunction with Hungry for Music in hopes of bringing music to underprivileged children in schools with limited music programs. In addition, for the past few years, the University of Maryland has been “Going for the Green.” This fall, as the Director of Environmental Affairs for the Student Government Association, ODK historian and senior Joanna Calabrese is passionately helping the University of Maryland win the title of “America’s Greenest Campus.” This competition is a nationwide contest among colleges and universities to improve sustainability on campuses. She continued on page 2
By Mardy Shualy
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he University of Maryland was happy to see President Barack Obama return to the campus. “I love you!” shouted a student, giving voice to the crowd’s excitement and adulation. “And I love you back,” replied the president. Despite damp weather, students began lining up for the rally on healthcare around three AM, eight hours before the president was scheduled to begin speaking.15,000 people filled the Comcast Center; members of the crowd danced to the music provided by the university’s marching band and did the wave as they waited for the rally to begin. The president seemed invigorated by the crowd’s excitement as he launched into a campaign-style address on the urgent need for healthcare reform. Obama emphasized how directly healthcare issues affect the lives of students and young Americans more generally. “Nearly half of these young people have trouble paying their medical bills,” he said. “Nearly forty percent are in debt because of it. I mean, think about adding the debt you already have for college; on top of that — another $10,000 or $20,000 or $30,000, or $50,000 worth of debt because you get sick.” Not everyone at the rally agreed with the White House’s vision for healthcare reform. A small number of protesters gathered outside of the event. “The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other peocontinued on page 3
IN THIS ISSUE OF THE LEADER... •
PRESIDENT OBAMA RETURNS TO CAMPUS
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ODK MEMBERS INVOLVED ON CAMPUS
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ODK SPEAKER SERIES PRESENTS TWO GREAT
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FACULTY-SECRETARY, JIM OSTEEN, RECEIVES AWARDS
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ALUMNI UPDATES
LECTURES
THE NEWSLETTER OF THE SIGMA CIRCLE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, COLLEGE PARK
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