Â鶹ÊÓƵ

The Omega Upsilon Chapter of Order of Omega at Â鶹ÊÓƵ honored 17 outstanding members of the fraternity and sorority community during its initiation ceremony March 30. 

Order of Omega recognizes junior and senior fraternity men and sorority women who have attained a high standard of leadership and scholastic achievement.  The honor is reserved for the top three percent of the Greek community, Order of Omega recognizes students who demonstrate the cardinal qualities of scholarship, character, leadership and service. 

Order of Omega encourages its members to continue along this line of success and to inspire others to strive for similar attainment.  The chapter also recognized one staff member for his support of fraternities and sororities at Â鶹ÊÓƵ.

“Order of Omega is a wonderful opportunity to publicly express how proud we are of our fraternity men and sorority women for their outstanding achievements within their organization as well as on campus,” said Shannon Copeland, Order of Omega advisor.  “It is an organization that provides a forum to promote positive inter-fraternal relations and engage the diversity of leaders that represent Greek Life,” continued Copeland.

“Being selected for Order of Omega is an honor.  All of the members chosen demonstrate exceptional character, outstanding leadership, and high academic achievement,” said Johanna Figlia, Order of Omega president.

The following Â鶹ÊÓƵ students have been inducted into the Omega Upsilon Chapter of the Order of Omega: 

BEAUMONT:  Celina Grace Gernale, Alpha Chi Omega, junior, speech and hearing science; Timothy Gonzales, Alpha Tau Omega, senior, computer science; and Erika Leggett, Alpha Delta Pi, junior, graphic design.

BRIDGE CITY:  Brooke Bertles, Zeta Tau Alpha, junior, teacher education.

HOUSTON:  Aaron Lavergne, Alpha Phi Alpha, senior, mechanical engineering.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla.:  Tonesha King, Alpha Kappa Alpha, senior, health.

JASPER:  Bianca Collins, Alpha Kappa Alpha, senior, teacher education.

KATY:  Manisha Patel, Sigma Sigma Rho, junior, chemical engineering.

LAGOS, NIGERIA: Olutosin Shon Akintod, Alpha Phi Alpha, senior, psychology.

Â鶹ÊÓƵMBERTON:  Cade Johnson, Alpha Tau Omega, junior, biology, exercise science and fitness management, and pre-medicine.

NEDERLAND:  Arebel de Torres, Sigma Sigma Rho, senior, chemical engineering.

ORANGE:  Emily Blanke, Alpha Chi Omega, senior, marketing major; Scorpio Collins, Omega Psi Phi, senior, industrial engineering major; Kevin McGee, Alpha Tau Omega, senior, communication major; and Danelle Sanders, Alpha Delta Pi, junior, political science.

ORANGEFIELD:  Macy Hamilton, Zeta Tau Alpha, junior, speech language pathology.

UPLAND, Calif.:  Kahdeadrah Stone, Kappa Delta Chi, junior, psychology.

In addition, Terry Mena, dean of students, associate vice president of student engagement and advisor to the Multicultural Greek Council, was selected to join as an honorary member for his valuable contributions to Greek Life at Â鶹ÊÓƵ.

The Order of Omega was founded at the University of Miami in 1959 by a group of fraternity men, who felt that individuals in the Greek community should be recognized for their service to the fraternity system and the university.  This tradition continues today in more than 500 universities and colleges around the country.