The Omicron Delta Kappa
Spring 2013
LEADER
“To Recognize Leaders Among Leaders”
DR. CORNEL WEST: “WORDS CREATE WORLDS”
STUDENTS DANCED AWAY THEIR “MARYLAND NIGHTS” AT 2013 CALVERT COTILLION
By Kiera Zitelman, Sigma Circle PR Chair n Thursday, February 14, 2013, ODK joined a group of campus organizations in bringing Dr. Cornel West to speak in the Stamp Student Union for the Drury G. Bagwell ODK Leadership Lecture. The author and former Harvard and Princeton professor spoke to a sold-out crowd about creating positive change in a packed Grand Ballroom. Tickets for the lecture sold out in just three days, so the Hoff Theater broadcast Dr. West’s speech live for those unable to attend in person. Dr. West began by thanking those who worked to bring him to College Park, fondly referring to everyone as “brother” or “sister.” He then spoke for about forty minutes before taking questions from the audience. Dr. West called on his listeners to join one another in believing in the capacity for human greatness, admitting that activism is difficult but necessary. The first step, he claimed, was looking into oneself: “I am a Christian, I am a Muslim, I am a Jew. There is an antiSemitic inside of me. There is a white supremacist inside of me.” Dr. West’s most famous book, “Race Matters,” has sold about 400,000 copies. While race was a theme in his speech, Dr. West painted with broad strokes. He mentioned his beliefs and called his audience to action and reflection on such topics as workers’ rights on campus, the prison-industrial complex, American drone
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By Amanda Fitzgerald, Sigma Circle Vice President s a senior, many things are afforded to you that you probably were unaware of until you actually became a senior. One of the best kept secrets and most magnificent, memorable nights of your senior year will most certainly be Calvert Cotillion. On February 23, over 500 students arrived at the Riggs Alumni Center dressed to the nines, ready to celebrate their senior year and leave it all on the dance floor. For those who haven't ever been in Riggs (like myself) you would have been absolutely stunned by the ballroom. Hues of blue covered the walls and a montage of Maryland's most memorable spots scrolled the screens throughout the night. The food was unbelievable; the chocolate fountain was the proverbial icing on the cake. At Maryland, there are so many groups of people and it is a rarity to be able to get almost all of them together in one room to enjoy a night of just being us. Hopefully you got the opportunity to dance, take a few photos in the photo booth, get caught by the paparazzi on your way in, eat some delicious food and try the drink special "The Senior Slammer." As seniors, it's easy to get caught up in the day to day of studying, going to class, working, applying to grad schools or looking for a full time job for after graduation. Calvert Cotillion was the perfect opportunity to spend time with all of your friends and forget about the responsibilities outside the Riggs Alumni Center for at least a night. If you have the opportunity to go as a senior, don't miss out!
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IN THIS ISSUE OF THE LEADER... • • • • •
DR. CORNEL WEST 2013 CALVERT COTILLION ODK INDUCTEES ODK SENIORS: LIFE AFTER GRADUATION ELLIE FIELDS AND JANE MCCARL INDUCTED INTO ODK SIGMA CIRCLE
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NEW MEMBERS OF THE STEWARD OF THE FOUNTAIN SOCIETY ODK HISTORY FROM DRU BAGWELL ODK WINTER ADVENTURES ALUMNI UPDATES
THE NEWSLETTER OF THE SIGMA CIRCLE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, COLLEGE PARK
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