During the fall quarter of 1972, the brother of Tau Epsilon chapter of Alpha Phi Omega formulated that the idea of starting a women’s service organizations in a way comparable to their own. This proposed program was discussed by the entire active chapter and a committee was set up in order to organize an orientation session for all those women who would be interested in starting such an organization on Tech’s campus. This orientation was held on October 15, 1972 in room 370 of the University Center. Jim Ponnalley, a past fields representative of Alpha Phi Omega, presided t the meeting and told the purpose of the organization and described the pledge period that would be required of each girl.
A screening session of all interested woman was held in room 308 of JH on Oct. 29, 1972. 43 girls out 44 bids were accepted, and thus these women were installed as Alpha Phi Omega sponsor affiliates on Nov. 5, 1972 in JH auditorium. After the installation the sponsor affiliates held a meeting and elected their temporary officers. These officers were: President, Donna Cooper, VP, Vickie Johnson, Secretary, Iris Mcmillin, Treasurer, Mary Qualls, Historian, Debbie Balthop.
A Sponsor affiliate training committee was set up by Alpha Phi Omega. Their committee consisted of Mark Bastians, Marshall Williams, Tommy Haskins, and Jim Donnalley. The purpose of this committee was to advice the women in various areas, to make sure that all requirements for the group were met and to act as the communication force between the fraternity and the woman.
The alpha Phi Omega 1972 National convention failed to elect the Sponsor Affiliated program as a National organization. Therefore, the brother of Tau Epsilon gave the woman their choice of becoming sponsor affiliates on a local level or petition either Gamma Sigma Sigma or Omega Phi Alpha National Service Sororities. On Jan. 21, 1973 the sponsor Affiliates voted in favor of petitioning Omega Phi alpha. On Jan. 28, 1973 Mrs. Judy Rohr was elected as our faculty sponsor. February 1, 1973 Omega Phi Alpha was officially recognized on the TTU campus, and on Feb. 4th the sponsor affiliates were given a final test and tribunal.
Immediately following the final tribunal, the colony officers were elected: President: Mary Qualls, Recording Sec.,Iris McMillan, Corresponding Sec, Vickie Johnson, Alum Sec, Celest Maxwell, Historian, Susan Wade, Sergeant at Arms, Gerretta Presley, and Chaplin, Connie Waters. Representatives of Tau Epsilon Chapter of Alpha Phi Omega: Jo Stults, Elissa Evins, Carolyn Allmon.
On Feb 6, 1973 we were recognized as a colony by the national Org. of Omega Phi Alpha. On Feb. 7, 1973, Ms. Janet Buck, Dean Elizabeth Murphy, Dr. Rebecca Quattlebucum, Ms. Loretta Flanders, and Jim Donnalley were elected as our advisors. Finally on Feb. 11, 1973, 31 Sponsor Affiliates were installed as colony members of Omega Phi Alpha in the multi-purpose room of the UC.
As the months passed, the colony carried out many service and many service and fundraising projects and special events. After their 3 month colonization period, Ms. Pam Faulkner, National Expansions Director, installed the colony members as Epsilon chapter of Omega Phi Alpha on May 24, 1973, in the Multi-Purpose room of the UC.
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