WKU News

The Western Kentucky University Circle of Omicron Delta Kappa (ODK), the National Leadership Honor Society, proudly announces Caden Lucas as the recipient of the 2026 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 has profoundly impacted the WKU community.

Lucas’s nominator wrote, “His leadership is both highly visible and deeply intentional. He shows up consistently, leads with purpose and elevates everyone around him. Much like Heather Strode did, he brings people together, builds meaningful connections and approaches every responsibility with integrity and heart. Lucas’s commitment to service and community has left a lasting mark on our campus.”

Lucas, of Harned, Ky., is a junior pursuing degrees in Political Science and Legal Studies and a certificate in Strategic Communications. Lucas was recently elected to serve as the 2026-2027 WKU SGA Student Body President and Student Regent. Additionally, he was selected as a 2026 Truman Scholar, the second Truman Scholar in WKU’s history and the only Truman Scholar chosen from Kentucky this year. His campus involvement extends to the WKU Spirit Masters, Dynamic Leadership Institute (DLI), Phi Gamma Delta (FIJI) Fraternity, Pre-Law Student Association, the Mahurin Honors College, Omicron Delta Kappa and Pi Sigma Alpha Honor Society. He also founded the Hilltoppers Vote Coalition and Civic Engagement Resource Center to enhance access to civic engagement across campus. Beyond campus, he played an instrumental role in the creation of the City of Bowling Green Downtown Ambassadors Academy; has interned with the Department of State’s Bureau of African Affairs, Congressman Brett Guthrie, WKU’s XR Lab and the National Corvette Museum. He also participated in the Reagan Institute Civic Leaders Fellowship and the Campus Compact Rural Youth Voices Initiative Fellowship.

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.”

The award is given in memory of Professor Heather Strode, a cherished member of the WKU community who passed away in 2025. 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 Lucas on this well-deserved honor and celebrates his lasting contributions to the Hilltopper community.