WKU News

The Western Kentucky University Circle of Omicron Delta Kappa (ODK), the National Leadership Honor Society, proudly announces Rosie Ribble as the recipient of the 2025 ODK Circle Leader of the Year Award. This distinguished honor, presented in memory of beloved Professor Heather Strode, recognizes a student whose exemplary leadership and dedication have profoundly impacted the WKU community.

Rosie’s nominator praised her as “the sole reason behind the success of WKU’s ODK Circle this academic year. She is everywhere, all of the time, and pours her heart and soul into everything - just as Heather Strode did for so many people and organizations on this campus. Rosie is an outstanding individual who has worked harder than anyone to facilitate community among our organization.”

Rosie Ribble, of Nashville, is graduating in May with a Bachelor of Arts in Corporate and Organizational Communication and Public Relations and a certificate in Organizational Leadership.

A tireless campus leader, Rosie has served as Phi Mu chapter President, ODK Vice President, 2025 Overall Greek Week Chair, Intern for the Phi Mu Foundation, Student Worker for WKU Student Activities and Recruitment Director for Midnight on the Hill. Her involvement extends to Topper Orientation Program (TOP) Guides, Dynamic Leadership Institute (DLI), Panhellenic Council, Circle of Sisterhood, Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) and Order of Omega. Her achievements include the Phi Mu Foundation Gerald and Sheldon Pollack Philanthropic Award and recognition as WKU’s 2024 2nd Runner Up Homecoming Queen.

The ODK Circle Leader of the Year Award honors a student who best represents the ideals and aspirations of Omicron Delta Kappa—collaboration, inclusivity, integrity, scholarship and service—throughout their collegiate career. Each year, circles across the nation select one member whose leadership and character set them apart as a “leader among leaders.”

This year’s award is especially meaningful as it is given in memory of Professor Heather Strode, a cherished member of the WKU community. Professor Strode served the university for more than 25 years as an educator, advisor, and mentor, inspiring generations of students with her warmth, kindness and unwavering commitment to service. Her legacy of empowering others and fostering leadership continues to shape WKU’s campus culture. Strode was an alumni member of WKU’s ODK Circle.

Founded in 1914, Omicron Delta Kappa recognizes and encourages superior leadership and exemplary character among students, faculty, staff and alumni. With over 300 circles nationwide, ODK champions collaboration across five pillars of campus life: academics and research, athletics, service to campus and community, communications and creative and performing arts.

The WKU Circle congratulates Rosie Ribble on this well-deserved honor and celebrates her lasting contributions to the Hilltopper community.

For more information, contact WKU Student Activities (270) 745-2459.

- WKU -

Western Kentucky University prides itself on positioning its students, faculty and staff for long term success. As a student-centered, applied research university, WKU helps students expand on classroom learning by integrating education with real-world applications in the communities we serve. Our hilltop campus is located in Bowling Green, Kentucky, which was recently named by Reader’s Digest as one of the nicest towns in America, just an hour’s drive from Nashville, Tennessee.