History
Omicron Delta Kappa was founded in 1914 at Washington and Lee University. The Society recognizes student achievement in five distinct areas: scholarship, athletics, journalism/speech/mass media, creative and performing arts and involvement with campus, community, religious, social, and/or student government activities. Membership in ODK includes student leaders from each of these phases of college life. The Furman circle of ODK was added to the national registry in 1981. ODK circles also include faculty and staff members who were inducted into ODK as undergraduates at Furman or other institutions. ODK is a distinctive leadership society and is often referred to as the “Phi Beta Kappa” for student leadership.