Clemson student receives national honor society service award

CLEMSON — Margaret Hearon of Florence, a senior majoring in communication studies at Clemson University, received the 2009 Omicron Delta Kappa (ODK) Eldridge W. Roark Jr. Meritorious Service Award.

The Eldridge W. Roark Jr. Meritorious Service Award is given to four members nationally every year for recognition of varied and meritorious service to the ODK society.

Hearon joined ODK in the fall of 2007 and was elected president for the 2008-2009 academic year. She has been actively involved in restructuring and advancing Clemson’s ODK circle. ODK contributes to several campus-wide service events and leadership initiatives, including donations to Clemson’s Student Memorial Fund, the Unity Project, Relay for Life and the Women’s Leadership Conference. Hearon gained recognition for ODK as a prestigious honor society around campus.

“Margaret is a pleasure to work with. She championed ODK and its causes in a very special way. She will do very well in the future,” said Jim Morris, faculty adviser of Clemson’s ODK circle.

Hearon served as vice president of the Student Alumni Council and on the President's Cabinet for Student Government. She also has been involved in Delta Delta Delta sorority, Order of Omega, Mortar Board, Clemson Philanthropy and Service Committee and Clemson’s Day of Tradition Calendar Committee.

“I feel truly honored to have been chosen for this prestigious national award,” Hearon said. “I am grateful that my peers thought so highly of me to have nominated me for it. Having been chosen as one of the four recipients of this award is a wonderful feeling and I am proud to represent Clemson University and the success of our ODK circle.”

ODK is a nationally recognized leadership honor society. To become a member of ODK, students must rank in the top 35 percent of their academic class and must show leadership in scholarship, athletics, campus or community service, social and religious activities, campus government, journalism, speech, or creative and performing arts.