PSU student singled out for leadership

To be recognized for leadership in any organization is an honor, but to be so recognized in an organization dedicated to leadership is something very special. Adam Merando, a Pittsburg State University senior from Frontenac, Kan., is one of four university students across the nation under consideration for the Omicron Delta Kappa (ODK) Leader of the Year Award. ODK plans to announce the national winner in June.

ODK is a national leadership honor society consisting of 300 circles or chapters in all 50 states. Merando has already been named leader of the year both for the ODK circle at PSU and for Region IV, which includes the states of Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Washington and Wyoming.

Merando, a biology and chemistry major, will graduate from PSU on May 18 and has been accepted into medical school at the University of Kansas. He is the president of the PSU Omicron Delta Kappa circle this year and has been a member for the past two years.

In recommending Merando for the award, faculty adviser Barbara McClaskey praised him for “inspiring others to commit to ODK and making it an active, productive organization.” “His leadership has led to the involvement of the majority of members in these varied activities, has increased attendance at meetings, and increased visibility of the organization at the university and in the community,” McClasky wrote.

Under Merando’s leadership, ODK service projects have included Trick-or-Treat so Kids Can Eat, the Big Event (a citywide service project), Bowl-for-Kids Sake, ringing the bell for the Salvation Army, and Adopt-a-Family during the holidays. Merando served as co-director of the Wesley House free clinic, which is a once-a-week program in conjunction with 8-10 local physicians designed to provide free medical care to members of the community who do not have insurance or government aid.

McClasky pointed out that in addition to his duties with ODK, Merando provided leadership and service in a wide variety of activities on campus, including Newman Club president and treasurer, member of the advisory board to the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, co-president of Senior Gift Council, Student Government Association senator, Presidential Emerging Leaders Program, chairman of the Student Foundation Board, vice-president of Pre-Med Club, University Student Ambassador, and Student Health Center Fee Committee. In addition, Merando was selected for the Golden Gorilla Award, All A Scholastic Honors, Dean’s Honor Roll, and was selected for Beta Beta Beta Biological Honor Society.

Merando is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Merando, Frontenac.

---Pitt State---