1. <br />The National<br />Order of Omega:<br />Making the Most <br />of Your Chapter <br />Dr. Ed Whipple<br />Past President,<br />National Order of Omega<br />Vice President for Student Affairs,<br />Bowling Green State University<br />Dr. Kent L. Gardner<br />Executive Director,<br />National Order of Omega<br />Chris Bullins<br />Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs,<br />Bowling Green State University<br />Presented at the<br />AFLC Central Fraternal Leadership Conference<br />February 12, 2010 • St. Louis, Missouri<br />HISTORY AND PURPOSE<br />THE NATIONAL ORDER OF OMEGA<br />The Order of Omega was founded at the University of Miami in the fall of 1959 by a group of outstanding fraternity men, who felt that individuals in the Greek community should be recognized for their service to the fraternity system and the University.<br />The Chapter of Miami had long desired for their organization to expand to other colleges and universities. The Chapter gave its sanction to Dean Patrick W. Halloran to make initial inquiries and to further grant charters to universities that were accredited and interested in the purpose of The Order of Omega. On February 9, 1967, a Chapter was chartered at the University of Southern Mississippi. There are now over three hundred chapters in the United States with approximately ten additional campuses that are petitioning the national organization.<br />HISTORY<br />The idea of an honorary for fraternity men at the University of Miami is attributed to Parker F. Enright, the advisor to fraternities at the time. Enright was later to accept a position at the University of Pittsburgh. He was also responsible for the founding of the Omega Chapter at the University of Pittsburgh in the spring of 1964.<br />The original constitution was approved by the Organizations Committee at the University of Miami on April 14, 1959, the recognized founding date. Since then, a National Constitution has been constructed to guide the Order's affairs. Chapter charters and membership certificates have been designed. The ritual and regalia, since revised, serve as a foundation upon which this honorary is being built. The Order of Omega voted to become a co-ed organization in the spring of 1977.<br />Many institutions have inquired concerning membership in the Order. Colonization procedures have been implemented to further the growth of this honorary. Considering the age of the American college fraternity, the quot;
active honoraryquot;
concept is long overdue. There must continue to be a common means by which the most outstanding fraternity men and women can stand united to further the philosophy of the college fraternity.<br />PURPOSE OF OMEGA<br />To recognize those fraternity men and women who have attained a high standard of leadership in interfraternal activities, to encourage them to continue along this line, and to inspire others to strive for similar conspicuous attainment; <br />To bring together outstanding fraternity men and women to create an organization which will help to mold the sentiment of the institution on questions of local and intercollegiate fraternity affairs; <br />To bring together members of the faculty, alumni, and student members of the institution's fraternities and sororities on a basis of mutual interest, understanding and helpfulness; and<br />To help create an atmosphere where ideas and issues can be discussed openly across Greek lines and to help work out solutions.<br />FELLOWSHIP AND SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS<br />Since 1985, The Order of Omega has awarded $609,950 in undergraduate scholarships and $114,750 in graduate fellowships. The Order of Omega sponsors three (3) graduate Fellowship Awards including the $1,000 Doctoral Fellowship Award, $750 Jacque Placette Chapman Master's Fellowship Award, and $500 William J. Brennan Graduate Assistant Fellowship Award(s). Fellowship applicants must be currently enrolled in a graduate program in higher education or college student personnel and employed full-time or part-time advising Greek life and/or The Order of Omega.<br />The Order of Omega sponsors $750, $500, and $100 undergraduate Scholarship Awards in the names of our current and past Executive Directors, Dr. Kent L. Gardner, Patrick W. Halloran, and Parker F. Enright. In addition, Order of Omega offers one SBC scholarship in the amount of $1,000. Scholarship applicants must be juniors or seniors displaying leadership and service to their Order of Omega chapter, Greek community, and campus life.<br />Fellowship and scholarship application materials (e.g., cover letter, résumé, recommendations, transcript, and photograph) should be sent to:<br />The Order of Omega<br />Fellowship/Scholarship Committee<br />300 E. Border Street<br /> Arlington, Texas 76010<br /> hq@orderofomega.org<br />If you have any questions regarding the Fellowship and/or Scholarship Awards, please contact Ms. Reatha Cox, Vice President, Order of Omega (cox@orderofomega.org).<br />CHARTERING GUIDELINES<br />The National Order of Omega has experienced a tremendous response from educational institutions during the past two years. The Order was founded at the University of Miami in 1959 and remained a local honorary until April 1, 1967, at which time the second chapter was installed at the University of Southern Mississippi. There are currently over three hundred chapters in the United States and Canada. <br />The procedures for chartering at this time are as follows: <br />Upon receipt of a letter of inquiry or request for information, an information brochure is sent to the interested institution with a copy of the constitution. Also included is the petition form folder, which must be completed by administrative and undergraduate officers and returned to the office of the Executive Director with a check in the amount of $100.00 to cover the national chartering fee. <br />The chartering institution also sends a list of charter members, their Greek affiliations, and a $50.00 individual membership fee for each of those persons selected for membership. (Initiation form is provided.) <br />The National Office then prepares a National Charter and sends it to the chapter with additional copies of the constitution and bylaws, banner, four initiation stoles, and a copy of the ritual. Upon receipt of the $50.00 membership fees and initiation form, the National Office also sends the lettered national membership certificates and the initiation pins. <br />The question often arises concerning the selection of charter members. The most common process by which this is completed is outlined below; the original membership group usually consists of: the advisor to fraternities and sororities; the executive officers of IFC and Panhellenic; and outstanding fraternity men and women who are considered worthy of this honor. <br />Each time the chapter elects new members, the names of those selected must be sent to the National Office for the proper recording by the National Office, and also to ensure that the membership certificates will be forthcoming. A single check should accompany the list of each new initiation class to cover the initial lifetime membership fees ($50.00 for each member).<br />The various functions which are sponsored or undertaken by the local chapters include the following activities and programs: <br />Greek Week<br />Interfraternity Scholarship Program<br />Community Service Projects<br />Fund-raising projects for the purpose of financial assistance to fraternity men and women in need<br />Cultural and/or professional lecture program<br />Although the Order of Omega is an honorary, it is advised that they take an active role in utilizing their leadership in one or more of the above areas. <br />Executive Officers<br />Executive DirectorDr. Kent L. Gardner300 E. Border Street Arlington, Texas 76010817-265-4074 (work)817-459-3355 (fax)gardner@orderofomega.orgPresidentDr. David L. GradyAssociate VP and Director,University Life CentersThe University of Iowa135 Iowa Memorial UnionIowa City, Iowa 52242-1317319-335-3114 (work)319-335-3487 (fax)grady@orderofomega.orgVice PresidentMs. Reatha CoxDirector of Student SuccessNorthwestern State UniversityNSU Box 5244Natchitoches, LA 71497318-357-5559 (work)318-357-4666 (fax)coxr@nsula.eduAssistant Executive DirectorMardie T. SorensenAssistant VP, Student AffairsThe University of Texas at ArlingtonBox 19348Arlington, Texas 76019817-272-2963 (work)817-272-2962 (fax)sorensen@orderofomega.orgDirector of Chapter ServicesJessica GardnerOrder of Omega300 E. Border StreetArlington, Texas 76010817-265-4074 (work)817-459-3355 (fax)jessica@orderofomenga.orgTechnology DirectorKent PawlakOrder of Omega300 E. Border StreetArlington, Texas 76010817-265-4074 (work)817-459-3355 (fax)pawlak@orderofomenga.org<br />Board of Directors<br />Dr. Howard M. FarrellVice President for University Advancement & Student AffairsMidwestern State University3410 Taft BoulevardWichita Falls, Texas 76308-2099940-397-4782 (work)940-397-4814 (fax)howard.farrell@mwsu.eduAnne Trask ForcierLiaison to the President & ProvostDevelopment & Alumni RelationsUniversity of Vermont411 Main StreetBurlington, Vermont 05401-3411802-656-3193 (work)802-656-8678 (fax)anne.forcier@uvm.eduDr. Larry LunsfordAssociate Vice President for Student Affairs and OmbudsmanFlorida International UniversityGraham Center 219Miami, Florida 33199305-348-2797 (work)305-348-1957 (fax)Lunsford@fiu.eduAnnie GillmanStudent Board MemberUniversity of Southern CaliforniaAnnie.gillman@gmail.comBarbara J. TootlePresident, Left Field Consulting7020 Rockwoods PlaceWorthington, Ohio 43085614-885-6070 (work)614-885-6088 (fax)Tootle.3@osu.eduDaisy WoodPresident & CEO, DMW Choice Consultants, Inc.776 Vinings Estates DriveMableton, Georgia 30126770-948-4465 (work)770-948-4463 (fax)Dee.wood@ge.comDr. Ed WhippleVice President for Student AffairsBowling Green State University107 Saddlemire Student Services at ConklinBowling Green, Ohio 43403419-372-2147 (work)419-372-8150 (fax)ewhippl@bgsu.edu<br />Regional Chapter Directors<br />SouthernMr. Darald H. StubbsFTG Consultants612 Longmeadow Longwood, Florida 32779386-717-5823 (work)425-871-4517 (fax)dhassan25@yahoo.comWestMs. Cheri Wechsler25652 Bradford LaneLaguna Hills, California 92653949-716-7001 (work)cheriwex@cox.netMid-AmericanMr. Wesley SchaubDirector of Greek LifeCase Western Reserve University7 Yost Hall, 10900 Euclid AvenueCleveland, Ohio 44106-7061216-368-1363 (work)216-368-6658 (fax)wws@case.eduNortheasternMs. Veronica HunterGreek Life CoordinatorLehigh University227-229 Warren Square EBethlehem, PA 18015610-758-4157 (work)Vmh207@lehigh.eduΩΩ<br />