LATEST NEWS FROM ORDER OF OMEGA
2024 Fellowship Award Recipients
December 2, 2024 — Order of Omega International Headquarters is proud to announce the recipients of the 2024 Fellowship Awards! Each year, we recognize outstanding professionals and emerging leaders in Higher Education and Student Affairs by awarding a $2,000 Doctoral Fellowship and a $1,000 Master’s Fellowship to deserving applicants from across North America.
This year, 10 exemplary individuals have been selected, showcasing a wide range of experience and leadership—from seasoned professionals to rising stars in the field.
Congratulations to the 2024 Fellowship recipients for their dedication and contributions to advancing student success and leadership in higher education!
Executive Director Mardie Sorensen Retirement
November 12, 2024 — After 30 years of devoted service, Mardie Sorensen, Order of Omega Executive Director, will retire in the summer of 2025.
Mardie first joined Order of Omega as Province Coordinator in 1995 while serving in Student Affairs administration at The University of Texas at Arlington. In 2012, Mardie became only the second person to hold the title of Order of Omega Executive Director.
“Mardie has been a steadfast force at Order of Omega for three decades,” said David Grady, International President of Order of Omega. “Under her leadership, we’ve witnessed the organization flourish, expanding its reach and deepening its impact.”
The Order of Omega Board of Directors will launch a search for a new Executive Director at the end of this calendar year.
2024 Dr. Kent L. Gardner Award Recipient
September 11, 2024 — The Association of Fraternity/Sorority Advisors (AFA) today announced their 2024 individual award recipients. Every year, the AFA Awards & Recognition Committee recognizes outstanding contributions by association members and colleagues. These awards will be presented during the 2024 AFA Annual Meeting in Indianapolis, Indiana from December 4-7.
The 2024 Dr. Kent L. Gardner Award recipient is Dr. Thomas Lane of Kansas State University. Dr. Lane is the Vice President of Academic Success and Student Affairs, and Dean of Students.
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The Dr. Kent L. Gardner Award, named after Order of Omega’s longest-tenured Executive Director, was established in 2012 and the first recipient was awarded in 2013 at the AFA Annual Meeting in Orlando, Florida. The award is presented annually to a senior college/university administrator who has demonstrated a continued commitment to the advancement of fraternities and sororities.
Order of Omega Welcomes Two New Members to its Board of Directors
August 7, 2024 — Order of Omega, an international honorary organization recognizing fraternity men and sorority women who have attained a high standard of leadership, service, and scholarship since 1959, is pleased to announce the appointment of two new members to its Board of Directors.
Dr. Elizabeth With
Dr. Elizabeth With serves as the Senior Vice President for Student Affairs at the University of North Texas. In this role, she is responsible for enhancing the overall student experience, encompassing academic success, social engagement, and personal and professional growth. Dr. With joined the university in 1996 and has held several leadership positions within the division.
Elizabeth is the former chair of the Texas Council for Chief Student Affairs Officers and is a former president of the Texas Association of College and University Student Personnel Administrators.
Ron Wellbaum
Rob Wellbaum is the Senior Vice President at Auburn University’s Office of Advancement and President of the Auburn University Foundation. In his 28-year career in institutional fundraising, he managed principal gift fundraising and provided leadership and planning for the university’s $1.2 billion Because This is Auburn campaign.
Rob served in numerous leadership roles within Alpha Tau Omega and the Interfraternity Council. From 1992-1993 he served as a student on the Board of Directors for Order of Omega.
Order of Omega Adds New Staff Member
June 5, 2024 — Order of Omega IHQ is pleased to announce the addition of Adam Joiner as our new Membership Engagement Coordinator, a position uniquely suited to Adam’s strong suits working to help our collegiate members navigate their undergraduate Order of Omega experience.
Adam, a seasoned Fraternity/Sorority professional, is a proud member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity where he currently serves as a member of the Sigma Chi Leadership Institute.
Adam is also invested in the Fraternity & Sorority industry by being involved in several associations including the Association of Fraternal Leadership and Values (AFLV) and the Undergraduate Interfraternity Institute (UIFI).
A native of Texas, Adam is excited to embark on this next phase of his journey with an organization headquartered in Arlington, TX.
Order of Omega Mourns Passing of Founding Advisor
February 12, 2024 — The Order of Omega Family joins many others in remembering the loss of the first advisor for Order of Omega, Pat Halloran, who passed away Thursday, February 8, 2024, at his home.
In 1965, Pat Halloran served as the Assistant Dean of Men at the University of Miami (FL). During that time, Pat oversaw the fraternity system at a time when fraternities and sororities were experiencing a loss of popularity from the mid-60s into the 1970s. One of the things he decided to do to strengthen the fraternity system was to support the creation of the Order of Omega. Today, Order of Omega has initiated over 300,000 members at 586 chapters across the United States and Canada.
Our hearts go out to his wife and family. A Celebration of Life service is planned for February 19th, 2024 at 2 p.m. at The Halloran Centre in Memphis, TN.
2024 AFLV West Regional Conference
FEBRUARY, 2024 — Order of Omega recently sponsored the annual Case Study competition at the 2024 AFLV West regional conference in Anaheim, CA. Attending students and staff paired up to form teams to tackle the complex situation scenario/s they were presented with in front of a panel of judges.
Participants formed student/student and student/staff teams and present to a panel of judges in different tracks. From there, a first, second, and third-place team was selected per track as the winning institution.
2024 NGLA Regional Conference
FEBRUARY, 2024 — Order of Omega recently sponsored the annual Case Study competition at the 2024 NGLA regional conference in Hartford, CT. Attending students and staff paired up to form teams to tackle the complex situation scenario/s they were presented with in front of a panel of judges.
Participants formed student/student and student/staff teams and present to a panel of judges in different tracks. From there, a first, second, and third-place team was selected per track as the winning institution.
2024 SGLA Regional Conference
FEBRUARY, 2024 — Order of Omega recently sponsored the annual Case Study competition at the 2024 SGLA regional conference in Atlanta, GA. Attending students and staff paired up to form teams to tackle the complex situation scenario/s they were presented with in front of a panel of judges.
Four tracks were added and a first, second, and third-place team was selected per track as the winning institution.
2024 AFLV Central Regional Conference
FEBRUARY, 2024 — Order of Omega recently attended the annual AFLV Central regional conference in Indianapolis, IN, and hosted our annual Case Study competition. Attending students and staff paired up to form teams to tackle the complex situation scenario/s they were presented with in front of a panel of judges.
Five tracks were added and a first, second, and third-place team was selected per track as the winning institution.
2023 Dr. Kent L. Gardner Award Recipient
September 18, 2023 — The Association of Fraternity/Sorority Advisors (AFA) today announced the 2023 slate of individual award recipients. Every year, the AFA Awards & Recognition Committee recognizes outstanding contributions by association members and colleagues, and these awards will be presented during the AFA Annual Meeting in Tampa, Florida between November 28 – December 1, 2023.
The Dr. Kent L. Gardner Award, named after Order of Omega’s longest-tenured Executive Director, was established in 2012 and the first recipient was awarded in 2013 at the Annual Meeting in Orlando, Florida.
Remembering Dr. Kent L. Gardner
September 1, 2023 — It is with heavy hearts and deep sadness that we announce the passing of Dr. Kent L. Gardner after battling a lengthy illness. Dr. Gardner profoundly impacted a wide range of people’s lives as a husband, father, papaw, brother, mentor, coach, teacher, supervisor, colleague, volunteer, leader, and friend.
Dr. Gardner most recently served as the Executive Director Emeritus of Order of Omega, an international leadership honor society dedicated to recognizing members of Fraternity and Sorority organizations who have exemplified the highest standards in leadership, involvement, scholarship, and character.
Read the full statement on behalf of the Order of Omega Board of Directors, International Headquarters staff, and family.
2022-2023 Alpha-Omega Year in Review - Order of Omega
August 2023 – Our annual recap, Alpha-Omega booklet is now available.
Everything from Case Study competition winners at the various conferences Order of Omega attended during the 2022-2023 academic year, to the 2023 undergraduate scholarship winners, to how many miles of graduation cords were purchased by our chapters — it’s all in there!
Order of Omega To Name International Headquarters
July 2023 — The Order of Omega Board of Directors voted unanimously to name Order of Omega headquarters the Kent L. Gardner Order of Omega International Headquarters in honor of Dr. Kent L. Gardner. Dr. Gardner served as the first…
Order of Omega Welcomes Two New Members to its Board of Directors
Arlington, TX, July 20, 2022—Order of Omega, an international honorary organization recognizing fraternity men and sorority women who have attained a high standard of leadership, service, and scholarship since 1959, is pleased to announce the appointment of two new members to its Board of Directors.
Dr. Lamar Bryant
Lamar currently serves as the associate vice chancellor for strategic initiatives in the Division of Diversity Engagement at The University of Tennessee Knoxville and collaborates with an amazing team to help cultivate a campus environment at all levels which is inclusive and welcoming to everyone.
With over a decade of professional experience in higher education, Lamar understands the direct correlation between an impactful, well-rounded college experience and high student retention or graduation rates. He believes academia presents us with a unique opportunity to challenge and support students academically, socially, and personally.
Furthermore, he believes it is not just about getting students to attend college. It is about creating an experience that compels them to persist and graduate. Lamar is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and is a 2006 initiate of Order of Omega.
Ms. Cheri Wechsler
Cheri has long served Order of Omega as the Western Regional Chapter Director. She served as the Assistant Director for Greek Life at the University of Southern California and Director of Fraternity and Sorority Relations at the University of California, Irvine.
As a member of Delta Gamma, she has served as a Collegiate Advisor, Alumnae Chapter President, Recruitment and Extension Director, and most recently as Council Trustee: Membership. “What I like most about Order of Omega is the uniqueness of how each chapter fills a need on their campus. Magic happens when bringing together the best and brightest members of the fraternity and sorority community.” Cheri is an April 1985-initiate of Order of Omega at the University of Southern California.
2021-2022 Alpha-Omega Year in Review
The 2021-2022 Alpha-Omega booklet is now available. Read our annual recap of the following information:
- Case Study Winners
- Annual Undergraduate Scholarship Winners
- Graduation Honor Cords Purchased by All Chapters
AFLV West 2022
Order of Omega hosted the annual Case Study Competition at the AFLV West conference in February at the Hyatt Regency Orange County in Anaheim, CA.
This year, we had multiple teams sign up to compete across three tracks, and we were able to select winners across the tracks. We congratulate all the participants and winners of the competition!
NGLA 2022
Order of Omega hosted the Northeast Greek Leadership Association (NGLA) Conference’s annual Case Study Competition in February at the Waterfront Marriott in Baltimore, MD.
This year, we had multiple teams sign up to compete across three tracks, and we were able to select winners across the tracks. We congratulate all the participants and winners of the competition!
