AOPi at Arkansas

[aopirose]

Alpha Omicron Pi Establishes Colony at the University of Arkansas

Eighty-one members of Alpha Omicron Pi at the University of Arkansas gathered together in anticipation and excitement for the first time on Tuesday evening, August 29, 2006, on the University of Arkansas campus to establish AOII’s newest colony. Like previous colonies, this AOII colony will continue to exemplify the traditions of academic excellence, philanthropy, community service, and lifelong friendships found at 180 other collegiate chapters of AOII across the United States and Canada. Alpha Omicron Pi is the eighth National Panhellenic Conference sorority to organize on the University of Arkansas campus. The AOII chapter is expected to have tremendous success over the next few years as the colony and Greek tradition grow at the University.

The University opened for extension in the fall of 2004. The University of Arkansas is a competitive public university offering 195 academic degree programs at the baccalaureate, master’s and doctoral levels. Current enrollment is approximately 17,000 with a University goal to increase enrollment to 22,500 by 2010. The University of Arkansas website hails the University as the state’s only “doctoral/research university-extensive,” as categorized by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. This category is defined as producing at least 50 doctoral recipients per year. As such, the University of Arkansas is in the top tier of 150 research universities among the nation’s more than 4,000 post-secondary institutions.

The colony members at the University of Arkansas are among the top students and leaders on the campus. Their commitment to academics is evident in their average GPA of 3.35. In addition, members are involved in all areas of campus life including the Associated Student Government, Residents’ Interhall Congress, Cheerleading, Gymnastics, and numerous other honorary societies, varsity athletics, and campus organizations. Many members are also very active in philanthropic organizations and community outreach.

Vice President of Development Allison Allgier, officials from AOII International Headquarters in Brentwood, Tennessee, local alumnae and collegiate members, Alumnae Advisory Council, and Corporation Board members assisted in the recruitment efforts on campus.

The next few months will be full of fun, learning and work as the University of Arkansas colony prepares itself to be installed as the 181st chapter of Alpha Omicron Pi. Members will participate in weekly education sessions and sisterhood events, as well as socials, philanthropic events, and a colony retreat. They are responsible for establishing the chapter’s sub-motto and name that will typify the chapter’s unique character. There are also bylaws to write, officers to elect, and procedures to establish. The Colony Development Network Director, Linda Mahfouz, and the Colony Development Network Specialist, Brandi Nunnery, will guide the colony and continue guiding them as a chapter for the next several years, along with a dedicated Alumnae Advisory Committee and Corporation Board composed of 20 local AOII alumnae. Additionally, a Resident Consultant, Lauren Cox, will stay with the chapter through installation.