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Alumnus Receives First ODK Endowed Scholarship in honor of Kenneth P. Ruscio The scholarship will be the first awarded in the 2018-19 academic year.

ODK-final Alumnus Receives First ODK Endowed Scholarship in honor of Kenneth P. Ruscio

Washington and Lee University alumnus Zach Taylor ’17 has received the Washington and Lee University Circle Endowed Scholarship in honor of Kenneth P. Ruscio from Omicron Delta Kappa. The scholarship will be the first awarded in the 2018-19 academic year.

Ruscio is the immediate past president of W&L and ODK’s national president from 2002-06. The fund provides a post-baccalaureate scholarship for a member of the Alpha Circle as well as a grant to support circle operations.

“Zach’s career as a student at W&L was extraordinary, and he is richly deserving of the Kenneth P. Ruscio Foundation Scholarship from ODK,” said Angela Smith, Roger Mudd Professor of Ethics and professor of philosophy. “During his senior year alone, Zach wore many different leadership hats on campus, including as a residential advisor, an honor system hearing advisor, president of the W&L philosophy club, editor-in-chief of the Mudd Journal of Ethics and co-organizer of the Mudd Undergraduate Conference in Ethics. It was a joy working with Zach at the Mudd Center, and I am thrilled that he is planning to continue his study of ethics in graduate school.”

During his time at W&L, Taylor majored in classics and philosophy and minored in poverty and human capability studies. His long-term goal is to pursue a Ph.D. in religious ethics.

“I recognize that my success is largely dependent on support from excellent mentors, and I am greatly appreciative of their help,” said Taylor.

Founded in 1914 at Washington and Lee University, ODK honors and develops leaders through scholarships, workshops, career opportunities, leadership resources and a lifelong connection to other members.