Circle returns and honors 31 top students

A special ceremony on Thursday (April 23) at No. 2 Audubon Place honored 31 of the top undergraduate students at Tulane University, inducting them into the Omicron Delta Kappa Circle. The ceremony held special significance because it marked the re-activation of the circle, which was active at Tulane from 1930 until 2012.

The Division of Student Affairs brought back the circle “as a way to provide even greater student input into the undergraduate experience at Tulane,” said John B. Nonnamaker, associate vice president for student affairs. The new circle will meet monthly to discuss student life, academics, diversity and inclusivity, residential life, and health and wellness issues on campus.

Students chosen for ODK were nominated by athletics, the Center for Public Service, the Newcomb College Institute, student government and student affairs. They had to be in the top 35 percent of their class and have demonstrated leadership abilities.

Student Adam Kline signs the ODK record book during the induction ceremony for the new circle at Tulane.

Dusty Porter, vice president for student affairs, addresses students at the induction ceremony. He led the move to reactivate the ODK circle at Tulane.

Students being inducted into the honor society stand to take the membership oath. In order to be chosen for ODK, students must demonstrate leadership in at least one of five areas — scholarship; athletics; campus or community service, social and religious activities, and campus government; journalism, speech and mass media; and creative and performing arts.