Circle K International is a student-led organization across college campuses worldwide. Directly affiliated with Kiwanis International, a service club founded in 1915, Circle K International aims to raise new generations of leaders through service, leadership and fellowship initiatives.
Circle K International exists locally with a chapter at Ohio University sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Athens. It came to OU as an all-male organization and became co-ed in 1973.
The motto of Circle K International – “Live to Serve, Love to Serve” – reflects the club’s commitment to building responsible leaders committed to lifelong service, professional development and community engagement.
Members participate in service projects on campus and within Athens, encouraging integrity, local involvement and devotion to public service.
Circle K’s faculty advisor, Howard Dewald, got involved with Circle K International at OU in 1986. His prior involvement with a sponsoring Kiwanis Club led him to join Circle K International the same year he started his career at OU.
“My part is to attend as many meetings as I can and to give (students) ideas about what they could do in service opportunities, what they could do in terms of fundraising,” Dewald said. “My role is to serve as a guide and a resource, and to generally provide overall assistance.”
According to Dewald, Circle K International’s biggest impact has been participating in service projects and fostering leadership among students.
“There was one year where the president set up a liaison with the youth detention center up in Nelsonville,” Dewald said. “Members would drive up there periodically and work at the detention center.”
According to Dewald, OU’s BRICKS general education requirements have recognized the importance of assisting projects and service outside of the classroom, which is what Circle K aims to accomplish.
Over the years, service projects conducted by Circle K International have spanned from river cleanups to blood drives to food programs. The club engages with Athens by participating in local events, such as Kidfest and the Athens Invitational Marching Festival, where members volunteer, help with tasks and interact with community members.
Some of Circle K’s upcoming service projects this semester include a Valentine’s Day event with a local nursing home, volunteering at the Church of Good Shepherd, cleanup projects and working with the Science Olympiad tournament.
Makenzie Adams is a sophomore studying sociology criminology and the vice president of OU’s Circle K International chapter. She feels Circle K balances its values of leadership, service and fellowship by allowing everyone to be included, involved and feel comfortable to share their opinions.
“We aren't very specific in what … we do, I feel like most people or organizations have something they're specifically working for or funding for,” Adams said. “We're kind of everywhere and able to help anywhere that we are needed, and we really just want to give back to the community in any way possible.”
Kennedy Firth, a sophomore studying computer science and the OU Circle K International chapter president, wishes more people knew about Circle K as an organization.
“It's a good way to meet other people that you hadn't met before,” Firth said. “There's no requirements for who can and can't join, it's really open to anyone. So it’s a way to … find new friends and learn about different majors like you hadn't before.”
The best way to get involved in the club is to show up to meetings, which are held Mondays at 6:15 p.m. in Baker University Center Room 231, according to BobcatConnect. Firth said the commitment level is whatever a member wants it to be, although the goal is for all members to reach at least 10 service hours each semester.
“It’s a good opportunity to give back to the community and get to know everyone in Athens, especially if you’re not from around here,” Adams said.
