University of Pittsburgh
March 14, 2001

PITT'S ODK SOCIETY TO INDUCT JIM RODDEY

Contact: 

PITTSBURGH, March 15 -- Allegheny County's first chief executive, Jim Roddey, will be inducted into the Omicron Delta Kappa (ODK) Society at Pitt's Annual Induction Ceremony on Thursday, March 15, at 7 p.m., in Heinz Chapel.

Along with 21 new student inductees, Roddey is one of three honorary inductees. He is being honored for community service and commitment to leadership. The ceremony concludes with a dinner at 8:30 p.m.

Active in civic and community affairs, Roddey's board memberships include positions at the University of Pittsburgh (trustee, chairman of the Board of Visitors of the School of Dental Medicine, and a member of the Board of Visitors of the Joseph M. Katz Graduate of Business), and the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.

In addition, Roddey served as chairman of Port Authority Transit for four years, and five years as chairman of Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority. Other chairman and presidential positions include the Three Rivers Arts Festival, the United Way of Allegheny County, United Negro College Fund, and the Pittsburgh Clean City Committee.

A graduate of Texas Christian University, Roddey received the university's Outstanding Alumnus award. After college he served as a captain in the U.S. Marine Corps.

The Omicron Delta Kappa Society is an organization that recognizes those who have attained a high standard of efficiency in college activities, and also works to inspire others to attain the same standards. It serves to bring together the most representative students in all phases of collegiate life and also unites faculty members and students on a basis of mutual interest and understanding.

ODK sponsors campus forums, leadership workshops for students and faculty, Honors Day events, awards and recognition of student/faculty leadership, leadership and career workshops for high school students, charity fund raising, and cooperative projects with alumni associations and other honor societies.

-30-

3/15/01/mgc