Circle K International is the world’s largest collegiate organization dedicated to service and leadership development with more than 500 clubs worldwide in nine countries. It is not the size of the organization, however, which gives it its identity or provides it with its primary source of pride and satisfaction. Rather, it’s the mission and the objects of the organization that set CKI apart from other student organizations.
CKI is a service organization through which college students can find a means of responsible student action in their communities and a more active involvement in the life of their campus. As clubs learn about the needs of their campuses and communities, they develop hands-on activities to address these problems.
College is more than a pursuit for a scholastic degree — it offers good times, getting to know others, personal development, and meaningful contributions to the world. CKI provides a unique opportunity to make a difference now — CKI is the total college experience.
Circle K International began as a Kiwanis club service project to provide opportunities for capable, ambitious, and worthy young men to acquire a college education by assisting them, where necessary, with their financial problems; by means of a scholarship fund, if available, or securing part-time employment. Additionally, affording its members a useful training in the social graces and the development of a well-rounded personality were focus areas for CKI. Soon after the concept of Circle K was recognized and accepted, the element of community service was introduced, thus creating and appealing outlet for collegians around the globe. Today, as the largest collegiate service organization, CKI boasts a membership of more than 12,000 collegians on nearly 550 campuses worldwide. CKI is a student led organization with and International Board of Trustees elected by the membership each year. Embodied by its tenets of leadership, fellowship, and service at the club, district and international levels, CKI continues to grow through service to the world’s campuses and communities.
In 1936, CKI was instituted as a fraternity at Washington State University by the Kiwanis Club of Pullman, Washington. The idea started with Jay N. Emerson, who was later elected Kiwanis International President. His interest led to the building of the first CKI club in 1947 at Carthage College, Illinois.
Other Kiwanians became interested, and during the next eight years 168 CKI clubs were started in the United States and Canada. In October 1955 representatives from these clubs met in Philadelphia and voted to form an international organization under the sponsorship of Kiwanis. In 1956, a special department was created in the Kiwanis International Office to serve as the International Headquarters for CKI.
Past Florida Governor
2014-2015 Michelle Ocampo of University of Central Florida
2013-2014 Victor Roa of University of South Florida – Tampa
2012-2013 Sarah Fruithandler of University of Florida
2011-2012 Carly Henry of University of South Florida – Tampa
2010-2011 Timothy Wolfinger of University of Central Florida
2009-2010 Krystal Weaver of University of South Florida – Tampa
2008-2009 Kadie Hayward of University of Tampa – Tampa
2007-2008 Alex Garner of Manatee Community College
2006-2007 Jennilyn Thiboult of University of Florida
2004-2006 Vickie Jones of University of South Florida – Tampa
2003-2004 John Sullivan of University of Florida
2002-2003 Tim Balasko of Florida Atlantic University
2001-2002 Maggie Gunther of University of Central Florida
2000-2001 Jeremy Riehl of University of Central Florida
1999-2000 Jonathan Hethcox of Flagler College
1998-1999 Donna B. Gunyan of University of South Florida
1997-1998 Rob Brisson of University of Central Florida
1996-1997 Nestor J. Rivera of University of Miami
1995-1996 Sheryl D. Klein of University of Florida
1994-1995 Dan Frenden of Saint Leo College
1993-1994 Brenda A. Hiller of University of South Florida
1992-1933 Anna L. Rodriguez of University of Miami
1991-1992 Nancie A. Hopkins of Florida State University
1990-1991 David R. P. Lobo of Saint Thomas University
1989-1990 Dawn M. Smith of University of Central Florida
1988-1989 David M. Schmitt of University of Central Florida
1987-1988 Russ Snyder of University of Central Florida
1986-1987 Joseph Kolacinski of Palm Beach Junior College
1985-1986 Debbie Allen of University of Florida
1984-1985 P. Michael Villalobos of Florida State University
1983-1984 J. Duane Craggs of Central Florida Community College
1982-1983 Jeff Amma of Florida Atlantic University
1981-1982 Debra L. Schmitt of Florida State University
1980-1981 Kenneth P. Burke of University of South Florida
1979-1980 Cecilia Reese of Florida Atlantic University
1978-1979 Michael D. Wilder of Florida Atlantic University
1977-1978 Ansley Hall III of University of Florida
1976-1977 Walter W. Wilt of Edison Community College
1975-1976 Don Eric Foster of Stetson University
1974-1975 James Shawn May of Florida Atlantic University
1973-1974 William J. Sharpe of St. Petersburg Junior College
1972-1973 Lloyd F. Rhodes of University of South Florida
1971-1972 Charles F. Eason of Saint Leo College
1970-1971 David J. Mellow of Florida Atlantic University
1969-1970 Paul Michael Dobbs of Saint Leo College
1968-1969 John S. Rhodes of University of South Florida
1967-1968 Kenneth J. Nemeth of Florida State University
1966-1967 George H. Meier of Florida Atlantic University
1965-1966 Paul Berger of Miami-Dade Community College
1964-1965 Walter E. Deese of Florida State University
1963-1964 Robert N. Lee of University of Florida
1962-1963 James Deegan of University of South Florida
1962 Robert Griffin of Gulf Coast Community College
1961-1962 Percy Bell of Brevard Community College
1961 Rendell Clark of Chipola Junior College
1960-1961 Bernie Cushing of Florida State University
1957 Jack Gillrup of Jacksonville University