New Member Initiations to be Held During ODK Regional Conference Hosted by FSC this month

LAKELAND, Fla. (Feb. 11, 2009) — Omicron Delta Kappa (ODK), the nation's top collegiate honor society recognizing scholarship and leadership, tapped nine new members during Florida Southern's Feb. 4 convocation. The new members will be initiated during the ODK Region One Conference hosted this year by Florida Southern on Feb. 21. Initiation takes place in Danforth Chapel at 4 p.m.

New members are recognized for leadership and service in areas including scholarship; athletics; campus or community service, social, religious activities, and campus government; journalism; speech and the mass media; and creative and performing arts.

Membership in ODK is considered to be a mark of highest distinction and honor and is awarded to not more than three percent of the enrolled junior and senior students, and those students must rank in the upper 35 percent of the college. Only one member of the faculty or administration may be elected in a given year. Included in the membership of the Florida Southern College Circle of ODK are such well-known national and international leaders as Walter Cronkite, Gerald R. Ford, and Terry Waite.

The following are among the ODK spring 2009 initiates:

Megan Albrecht, a junior communication major and daughter of Tim and Angela Albrecht of Winter Haven, Fla.

Ashlea Archer, a senior biology major. She is the daughter of Emmit and Beverly Archer of Lake Park, Fla.

Sarah Connors, a junior biology major. She is the daughter of Timothy and Charlotte Connors of Lakeland.

David Dill, a junior business administration major and son of Brian and Barbara Dill of Lakeland.

Emily Jones, a senior religion major. She is the daughter of Richard and Valerie Jones of Naugatuck, Conn.

Shay Lessman, a junior English major. He is the son of Chad and Barbara Lessman of Shannon, Ill.

Michael Saco, a junior biology major. He is the son of Louis and Joan Saco of Lakeland.

Kristen Wheary, a junior accounting major and daughter of Tom Wheary and Susan Green of Lakeland.

Faculty honoree Brenda Lewis, director of the life and cultural center, was elected last fall.