By Ashley Zsedenyi, staff writer

CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. - “It is a great day for ODK,” said Dr. Steve Bisese during the chartering ceremony for the 312th circle of Omicron Delta Kappa (ODK) at Campbellsville University's Ransdell Chapel Oct. 27.

Bisese, national president of ODK, served as the presiding officer over the chartering and induction ceremony and the installation of officers of ODK at Campbellsville University.

Bisese said he had “always wanted CU to be a part of ODK,” and that he is “very proud of the dedication of CU in gaining the ODK charter.”

“I have no doubt ODK will thrive on this campus for years to come,” he said.

He said during his trips to Campbellsville University “it was obvious the university cherishes student involvement and opportunities for student leadership.”

“There is a sense of community around campus,” Bisese said. “I am blessed to have gotten to know Campbellsville University.”

He thanked Josh Anderson, dean of student services at CU, for his “persistence in making this day happen.”

He said ODK members would now have the opportunity to compete for student scholarships, and to attend the national convention every other year.

Charter members of CU's circle of ODK are: Brenda Allen, Honoris Causa, Campbellsville mayor; Joshua J. Anderson, faculty/staff, dean of student services at CU, and CU alumnus, of Campbellsville; Patricia M. Bamwine, CU alumna, of Campbellsville, the daughter of Monica Bamwine, coordinator for graduate and academic outreach programs at CU, of Campbellsville and Dr. Patrick Bamwine of Jackson, Tenn.;

Elaine C. Briscoe, senior, of Georgetown, Ind., the daughter of Jerry and Kimberly Briscoe of Georgetown; Tammie J. Collins, senior, of Campbellsville, formerly of Mt. Sterling, Ky., the daughter of Don and Susan Wilson of Mt. Sterling, and is the wife of Jim Collins; Dr. Patricia H. Cowherd, faculty/staff, professor and dean of the School of Business and Economics, and CU alumnus, of Greensburg, Ky.;

Kelsey L. Davis, senior, of Shelby, Mont., the daughter of Clayton and Kate Davis of Shelby; Heather R. Dobbs, senior, of Science Hill, Ky., the daughter of Edward and Patricia Massey of Science Hill; Mallory L. Farquhar, senior, of Columbus, Ohio, the daughter of Jeffrey and Carrie Farquhar of Westerville, Ohio; Paige N. Hall, senior, of Greensburg, the daughter of Dennis and Melinda Hall of Greensburg;

Erin E. Harris, senior, of Campbellsville, the daughter of Tim Harris of Campbellsville and Debbie Harris of Greensburg; Katie L. Howlett, senior, of Auburn, Ky., the daughter of David and Linda Howlett of Auburn; Vighter O. Iberi, senior, of Nigeria; Mark U. Johnson, Honoris Causa, president of Citizens Union Bank and Trust in Campbellsville; Blake S. Lawyer, senior, of Elnora, Ind.;

Henry E. Lee, Honoris Causa, CU Board of Trustee member of Campbellsville; Kegan L. Nall, senior, of Radcliff, Ky., the daughter of Luke and Barbara Nall of Radcliff; Kyle G. Norred, alumni, of Kennesaw, Ga., the son of Charles and Andrea Norred of Kennesaw; Dr. Joseph L. Owens, Honoris Causa, CU Board of Trustee member of Lexington; Megan A. Parker, senior, of Elizabethtown, the daughter of Melanie Parker of Elizabethtown;

The Rev. Edwin C. Pavy Sr., faculty/staff, director of campus ministries at CU, of Campbellsville; Kaci J. Payne, CU alumnus, of Pulaski, Va., the son of Henry and Karen Payne of Pulaski; Iris N. Peyton, senior, of Hustonville, Ky., the daughter of Bill and Beverly Peyton of Hustonville; Andrea R. Reynolds, CU alumna, of Bardstown, Ky.; Elizabeth A. Smith, senior, of Glendale, Ky., the daughter of Edsel and Linda Smith of Glendale;

Marcus N. Stanfield, senior, of Campbellsville, formerly of Ashland, Ohio, the son of Michael and Deborah Stanfield of Lawrenceville, Ga., and is the husband of Kelli Stanfield; Laura S. Swencki, senior, of Lebanon, the daughter of Jim and Anne Swencki of Lebanon; Dr. G. Ted Taylor, faculty/staff, professor of Christian studies, director of Leadership/Character Development Institute and lead professor of the sports ministry program, of Campbellsville;

Tyler G. Vessels, CU alumnus, of Vine Grove, Ky., the son of Greg and Donaye Vessels of Vine Grove; Nam H. Vuong, CU alumnus, of Campbellsville, the son of Thanh Vuong and Be Le; David L. Walters, faculty/staff, vice president for admissions and student services at CU, and CU alumnus, of Campbellsville; Richard K. Wheeling, CU alumnus, of Elizabethtown, the son of Richard and Scarlett Wheeling of Elizabethtown; and Phillip D. Wysong, senior, of Danville, Ky., the son of James and Susan Wysong of Danville.

The officers of Campbellsville University's circle of ODK are: Laura Swencki, president; Blake Lawyer, secretary; Tammie Collins, treasurer; Josh Anderson, faculty advisor; and Dr. Patricia Cowherd, faculty secretary.

Dave Walters, vice president for admissions and student services, welcomed the audience to the ceremony, Dr. E. Bruce Heilman, chancellor of the University of Richmond, CU alumnus and CU Board of Trustee member, gave the introduction for Bisese, and Dr. Michael V. Carter, president of CU, gave closing remarks.

The invocation was given by ODK secretary Blake Lawyer and Laura Swencki, ODK president, gave the benediction.

ODK was founded Dec. 3, 1914 at Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Va., by 15 students and faculty leaders. The founders formulated the idea that leadership of exceptional quality and versatility in college should be recognized, that representatives in all phases of college life should cooperate in worthwhile endeavors, and that outstanding students, faculty and administrators should meet on a basis of mutual interest, understanding and helpfulness. ODK was the first college honor society of a national scope to give recognition and honor for meritorious leadership and service in extracurricular activities and to encourage development of general campus citizenship.

Campbellsville University is a private, comprehensive institution located in South Central Kentucky. Founded in 1906, Campbellsville University is affiliated with the Kentucky Baptist Convention and has an enrollment of 2,601 students who represent 93 Kentucky counties, 27 states and 31 foreign nations. Listed in U.S.News & World Report's 2009 “America's Best Colleges,” CU is ranked 22nd in “Best Baccalaureate Colleges” in the South for the second consecutive year. CU has been ranked 16 consecutive years with U.S.News & World Report. The university has also been named to America's Best Christian Colleges®. Campbellsville University is located 82 miles southwest of Lexington, Ky., and 80 miles southeast of Louisville, Ky. Dr. Michael V. Carter is in his tenth year as president.