National leadership society honors W&M’s chief diversity officer
Award presentation: Tim Reed, ODK’s associate executive director for business and membership services, presents Chon Glover, W&M's chief diversity officer, with the Eldridge W. Roark, Jr. Meritorious Service Award. Courtesy photo
William & Mary’s chief diversity officer was recently honored by the national leadership society Omicron Delta Kappa for her work with the organization.
Chon Glover received the Eldridge W. Roark, Jr. Meritorious Service Award during the university’s Omicron Delta Kappa Eta Circle initiation ceremony in the Wren Chapel Oct. 19.
The award is presented annually by the ODK Board of Directors to show “appreciation to those who serve the society,” according to the website.
“In recognition of her significant contributions and leadership as the 2014-16 chair of the National Advisory Council and in appreciation for her years of service as the faculty advisor for the College of William & Mary Circle, the Omicron Delta Kappa Society Board of Directors is pleased to honor Dr. Fañchon Glover with the Eldridge W. Roark Jr. Meritorious Service Award," said Tara Singer, executive director of ODK. "Her work has led to the Eta Circle as being recognized as one of ODK’s very best, and her contributions to the national organization have helped strengthen its commitment to inclusivity and equity at all levels.”
Glover said she was honored to receive the award.
“I am proud to be a member of such a prestigious organization that truly embodies what I so deeply value — leadership, scholarship, character, and service,” she said. “From my initiation, I immediately became involved with the Eta Circle at William & Mary and progressively had the fortune of serving on the society board and then leading the National Advisory Council.
“I have met some incredible people through my involvement with ODK and will continue to be of service in any way that is needed.”
When Ginger Ambler, vice president for student affairs, became the coordinator of W&M’s Eta Circle of ODK in 2008, Chon agreed to be the circle’s faculty advisor, “essentially serving as co-leader with me,” said Ambler.
“I am grateful for the many years she worked with our students and me in that capacity,” she said. “Chon exemplifies the highest ideals of the society — scholarship, service to others and well-rounded leadership — and she’s deeply devoted to encouraging and recognizing those same leadership qualities in others at William & Mary.”
Tim Reed, ODK’s associate executive director for business and membership services, presented the award to Glover at the ceremony. W&M President Katherine A. Rowe was initiated at the ceremony along with Jeree Harris Thomas ’08 and Alexandra Bracken ’09.
Members of ODK can be students, faculty, staff and recent alumni (who graduated less than five years beforehand) and are selected based on their demonstrated leadership achievements in one of the following areas: scholarship; athletics; campus or community service, social and religious activities and campus government; journalism, speech and mass media; and creative and performing arts. Local, national and international leaders may also qualify for honorary membership in the society.
Members of the society are expected to demonstrate the five ODK ideals of scholarship, service, integrity, character and fellowship.
In 2012, Glover received W&M’s Shirley Aceto Award, given annually to an instructional or professional faculty member who demonstrates a commitment to excellence in service for the common good.
