Archie Manning Earns Prestigious Laurel Crowned Circle Award from Omicron Delta Kappa for 2025
Lexington, VA, October 4, 2025 – The Omicron Delta Kappa Society and Educational Foundation Board of Trustees has bestowed the 2025 Laurel Crowned Circle Award upon Archie Manning. This prestigious award, first introduced in 1980, represents the highest individual honor granted by Omicron Delta Kappa to leaders who stand out for their contributions in their respective fields and their dedication to fostering leadership development. The award ceremony took place on September 25, 2025, at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium, University of Mississippi in Oxford, MS.
Archie Manning: A Legend in Leadership and Integrity
Archie Manning, a 1970 initiate of Omicron Delta Kappa at the University of Mississippi, is celebrated not only for his remarkable athletic career but also for his commitment to academic excellence and service. Manning, who earned his business degree in 1971 from the same institution, has continued to influence many with his steadfast integrity, modesty, and pursuit of excellence both on and off the field. His life and work are testaments to exemplary leadership and collaboration, making him an outstanding recipient of the Laurel Crowned Circle Award.
Notable Past Laureates of the Laurel Crowned Circle Award
The Laurel Crowned Circle Award has been awarded to a diverse group of exceptional individuals, including:
- Former U.S. Attorney General Richard Thornburgh
- President of the United Negro College Fund Michael Lomax
- Former Congresswoman Donna Shalala
- Former Secretary of Defense Robert Gates
- Former Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx
- Numerous university presidents and philanthropists
The Esteemed Legacy of Omicron Delta Kappa Society
The Omicron Delta Kappa Society, founded at Washington and Lee University in Lexington, VA, on December 3, 1914, is dedicated to recognizing and promoting leadership. As the National Leadership Honor Society, it upholds its principles of scholarship, service, integrity, character, and fellowship. The Society’s headquarters is located in Lexington, VA. Emegypt celebrates this year’s honoree, Archie Manning, for embodying these esteemed values and setting a remarkable standard for leadership and service.
