Omicron Delta Kappa, Rho Circle Chapter (Duke University) records, 1926-1971

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Summary

Creator:
Omicron Delta Kappa. Rho Circle Chapter (Duke University).
Abstract:
Contains the records of the Rho Circle chapter of Omicron Delta Kappa, established at Duke University in 1926. Types of materials include bylaws, certificates of membership, correspondence, financial records, history, manuals, membership lists, minutes, newsletters, reports, programs, and photographs. Major topics include governance of a leadership fraternity, member selection, honor societies at Duke University, Duke-Navy relations during World War II, leadership, and Omicron Delta Kappa. Materials are present from 1926 to 1971, however the bulk of materials are from 1926 to 1963.
Extent:
4.25 Linear Feet
4250 Items
Language:
Material in English
Collection ID:
UA.31.03.0001
University Archives Record Group:
31 -- Student/Campus Life
31 -- Student/Campus Life > 03 -- Student Organizations-Honorary and Recognition

Background

Scope and content:

These records were produced by Omicron Delta Kappa in the course of their activities as a campus leadership honor society from 1926 to 1971. The bulk of the material consists of correspondence, information on membership elections, minutes, and information on national and provincial conventions. Physical types of materials include by-laws, certificates of membership, correspondence, financial records, history, initiation ritual, manuals, membership lists and cards, membership selection point system, minutes, newsletters, reports both from the Rho Circle and from national and provincial conventions, programs, and photographs.

Biographical / historical:

Omicron Delta Kappa was founded at Washington and Lee University in 1914 as a campus leadership honor society. It soon expanded to other colleges and the Rho Circle chapter was established at Duke University in 1926. Omicron Delta Kappa admitted juniors and seniors as well as faculty members and honorary members both alumni and non-alumni on the basis of character, scholarship, distinguished achievement, and consecration to a great purpose. The five categories of campus life that were emphasized were scholarship, athletics, social and religious activities, publications, and the arts. Election to membership was considered one of the top honors that could be conferred at Duke University. The focus of the Rho Circle chapter was service to the university and community through the cooperation of all campus leaders. The first president of the Rho Circle chapter was Marshall I. Pickens, later head of the Duke Endowment.

The Rho Circle chapter maintained a good relationship with other national officers through correspondence of well-connected faculty and administrators, such as Frank C. Brown. Omicron Delta Kappa became inactive in the late 1960s or early 1970s as a result of general student opposition to the "elitism" of special leadership distinctions. There were also disputes within the national organization about scholarship standards and the fraternity's refusal to admit women. Although correspondence continued between William J. Griffith, the longtime secretary of the Duke University chapter, and the national officers, the society has never been reactivated at Duke.

Acquisition information:
The Omicron Delta Kappa, Rho Circle chapter records were received by the University Archives as a transfer in 1974, 1991, 1997.
Processing information:

Processed by Sarah A. Nerney , 1999

Updated by Emily Glenn, January 2003

Encoded by Sherrie Bowser, January 2008

Accessions A74-79, A91-69, A97-73 were merged into one collection, described in this finding aid.

Physical location:
For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the Library's online catalog.
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Contents

Using These Materials

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Restrictions:

Researchers must register and agree to copyright and privacy laws before using this collection.

In off-site storage; 48 hours advance notice is required for use.

Terms of access:

Copyright for Official University records is held by Duke University; all other copyright is retained by the authors of items in these papers, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law.

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Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Omicron Delta Kappa, Rho Circle Chapter (Duke University) Records, Duke University Archives, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University.