Thirty-three students from various greek organizations on campus were initiated into Order of Omega on Monday evening.
Order of Omega is an undergraduate Greek honors society representing students from the Interfraternity Council, Panhellenic Council, Multicultural Greek Council and National Pan-Hellenic Council. To apply, students must be juniors or seniors and they must have at least a 3.2 cumulative grade point average.
The students involved in the honors society are required to do 10 hours of service in addition to meetings and group service outings. Junior and new initiate Grace Quinn said the first group service event that new members participated in was pumpkin decorating with residents at the Asbury Towers Retirement Community. As the holidays draw closer, members will sing Christmas carols at Asbury Towers.
Quinn said she was excited to join Order of Omega because it is one of the easiest ways for members of different greek chapters to come together and learn more about one another.
“While each chapter has their own values, Order of Omega is a way for greeks to kind of come together and share the same values and join in service together and just kind of continue the movement to better the greek community as well as the Greencastle community,” Quinn said.
Students with cumulative GPAs above a 3.2 were sent an email inviting them to apply at the beginning of the year. The application consisted of a series of questions regarding the students’ involvement on campus, why they want to be in Order of Omega and questions about their philanthropic backgrounds. Students turned in their applications in early October, and were notified of their acceptance in mid-October.
The initiation ceremony was held in the Peeler Auditorium, and consisted solely of current members and new initiates. Current members discussed the responsibilities that Order of Omega members have to the greek, DePauw and Greencastle communities.
With issues of diversity and campus climate currently being discussed on campus, junior and new initiate Kevin Bugielski wants to use Order of Omega as a tool for bringing the different Greek organizations together.
“I think we have a unique opportunity to facilitate conversations between IFC, Panhel, MGC and NPHC,” Bugielski said. “I think those conversations, especially in light of the various conversations that we’ve been having on campus, are extremely necessary at this point, and not only do I think it will solve and create bridges between the councils by having this conversation, but I think it will enhance the relationships that each council member has with each other.”
Junior and new initiate Katie Kondry said the time commitments and the $70 initiation fee are well worth the reward of being involved in a prestigious society with so many different kinds of people.
“[There is] a certain pressure to serve as role models on campus and search for new areas where we can get involved,” Kondry said. “I believe that all students who qualify should apply to Order of Omega because of the lifelong friendships and service opportunities that membership brings. The group consists of some of the most inspiring leaders on campus and I can't wait to see what they can teach me.”