Randolph-Macon’s Alpha Lambda Circle of Omicron Delta Kappa (ODK), a national leadership honor society, recognized superior scholarship, leadership, and exemplary character at its annual Leadership Awards ceremony Monday.

Andrew Anderson ’24 and Caroline Allen ’24 were each honored with Janet Harvey Trivette ’78 & W. Proctor Harvey, Jr. Endowed Student Award. The award was established in 2007 to honor alumna Janet Harvey Trivette ’78 and her brother W. Proctor Harvey, Jr. and celebrate their distinctive characteristics of compassion, generosity of spirit, and leadership.

Anderson, a communication studies and business double-major with a concentration in marketing, has been a leader in a wide range of areas across campus. A member of the RMC Men’s Golf team, Anderson serves on the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and as the outreach coordinator for the Green Bandana Project, a group whose mission is to prevent suicide by making mental health resources more readily available to all. He also performs as a member of the LUXE Show Choir, including serving as a talent recruiter for the group, and is a Leadership Fellow.

Grant Azdell, vice president of student affairs and dean of students, quoted Anderson’s nominator as he presented the award, saying, “He consistently demonstrates compassion, empathy, and a genuine concern for the well-being of others. Whether it’s offering a helping hand to a struggling classmate or lending a listening ear to those in need, his kindness and generosity leave a lasting impact on those around him.”

Allen, a criminology and cybersecurity double-major with a psychology minor, has also exhibited extraordinary leadership in a variety of roles. In addition to being a member of the Honors program and the highly selective Phi Beta Kappa honor society, and a Leadership Fellow, Allen is the president of RMC’s chapter of Alpha Phi Sigma, the criminal justice honor society, and the Criminology Interest Association. Outside of the classroom, Allen is a member of RMC’s Equestrian team, the president of the student gaming club The Round Table, and serves as a student worker for the Information Technology Services office and the Department of Criminology.

Azdell again cited a nominator in praising Allen’s mentality, saying that she is “eager to learn and accepts challenges with excitement. She also strives to be a global citizen in that she understands inequalities and seeks to improve the human condition.”

Abu Waligo ’24 received the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award and Anna O’Sullivan ‘25 received the Mary Mildred Sullivan Award in recognition of spiritual qualities applied to daily living. The awards are supported by the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Foundation and honor the lives of the foundation founder and his wife. Recipients receive a bronze medallion.

Waligo is a computer science and economics double-major with a mathematics minor. In addition to being a Davis United World College Scholar as an international student from Eswatini, Waligo is a member of both the mathematics honor society Pi Mu Epsilon and the economics honor society Omicron Delta Epsilon. In his remarks, RMC President Robert R. Lindgren noted “as a member of the Black Cultural Society and the International Interest Group, he has played an integral role in fostering a sense of belonging and cultural celebration on campus.”

O’Sullivan is a business and communication studies double-major, with membership in the Honors program and Lambda Pi Eta, the communication association honor society. She also works three jobs on campus, including as a Leadership Fellows intern, a Brock Sports and Recreation assistant, and a Sports Medicine Training Room Assistant. Additionally, O’Sullivan is an active participant with the Green Bandana Project, SERVE, and as a Yellow Jacket Ambassador. President Lindgren quoted her nominator, saying “’her spiritual connection represents a fundamental belief that all people in this world are worthy of respect and love.’ She shows this faith in all that she does through her servant leadership.”

Executive Director of Alumni Relations Rhonda Toussaint ’85 was honored with the B.J. Seymour Award, named after the trailblazing professor emerita Betty Jean “B.J.” Seymour, who became RMC’s first full-time female faculty member in 1971. The award honors an alumna who has consistently worked on behalf of issues important to women and girls, and who demonstrates vitality, integrity, and leadership.

In presenting the award, Abi Detrich ’24 said “her love for Randolph-Macon College shines through in every endeavor, whether it’s organizing alumni events, facilitating networking opportunities, or providing support to fellow alumni. Rhonda’s leadership and advocacy extend beyond her role, echoing the trailblazing spirit of the award’s namesake.”

The RMC charter of ODK was founded in 1933. Membership is awarded to elected undergraduate juniors and seniors whose cumulative grade point average places them in the top 35% of the RMC student population. Candidates must also demonstrate leadership in at least one of the five phases of campus life to be selected: scholarship; athletics; campus community service, social and religious activities, and campus government; journalism, speech, and the mass media; and creative and performing arts.

The following awards were also given during the ceremony:

ODK Circle Member of the Year (national award): Abi Detrich ‘24

Students of Excellence: Mel Davis ‘24 and Dayla Thorne ‘24

Outstanding Service to the SGA Award: Abi Detrich ‘24

Asbury Christian Award: Ailish Cole ‘27

Jewish Campus Life: Taylor Bennett ‘25

RMC Leadership (group): Multicultural Programming Board

Rodney Bardwell Service Award: SERVE Committee

Outstanding Student Event: Culturesgiving (Multicultural Programming Board)

Outstanding Organizational Advisor: Taylor Cox ‘22

Freshman Leadership: Victoria Seusankar ‘27

Sophomore Leadership: Taylor Collins ‘26

Junior Leadership: William Ryder ‘25

Outstanding Seniors: William Adair ’24, Abi Detrich ’24, Julia Fugate ’24, Brooke Pappaconstantinou ’24, Mina Ross ’24, and Abby Thompson ’24

RMC Leadership (individual): Lily Chapman ‘24

Darrell Headrick Service Award: Sarah Nelson ‘25