History
The Order of Omega was founded at the University
of Miami in the fall of 1959 by a group of outstanding fraternity men,
who felt that individuals in the Greek community should be recognized
for their service to the fraternity system and the University.
The Chapter of Miami had long desired for their organization to expand
to other colleges and universities. The Chapter gave its sanction to
Dean Patrick W. Halloran to make initial inquiries and to further grant
charters to universities that were accredited and interested in the
purpose of The Order of Omega. On February 9, 1967, a Chapter was chartered
at the University of Southern Mississippi. There are now over three
hundred chapters in the United States with approximately ten additional
campuses that are petitioning the national.
The idea of an honorary for fraternity men at the University
of Miami is attributed to Parker F. Enwright, the advisor to fraternities
at the time. Enwright was later to accept a position at the University
of Pittsburgh. He was also responsible for the founding of the Omega
Chapter at the University of Pittsburgh in the spring of 1964.
The original constitution was approved by the Organizations Committee
at the University of Miami on April 14, 1959, the recognized founding
date.
Since then a National Constitution has been constructed to guide the
Order's affairs. Chapter charters and membership certificates have been
designed. The ritual and regalia, since revised, serve as a foundation
upon which this honorary is being built. The Order of Omega voted to
become a co-ed organization in the spring of 1977.
Many institutions have inquired concerning membership in the Order.
Colonization procedures have been implemented to further the growth
of this honorary.
Considering the age of the American college fraternity, the "active
honorary" concept is long overdue. There must continue to be a common
means by which the most outstanding fraternity men and women can stand
united to further the philosophy of the college fraternity.
PURPOSE OF OMEGA
- To recognize those fraternity men and women who have attained a high
standard of leadership in interfraternity activities, to encourage them
to continue along this line, and to inspire others to strive for similar
conspicuous attainment;
- To bring together outstanding fraternity men and women to create an
organization which will help to mold the sentiment of the institution
on questions of local and intercollegiate fraternity affairs.
- To bring together members of the faculty, alumni, and student members
of the institution's fraternities and sororities on a basis of mutual
interest, understanding and helpfulness;
- To help create an atmosphere where ideas and issues can be discussed
openly across Greek lines and to help work out solutions.
The Nu Alpha Chapter at SUNY Geneseo was founded in Spring 1993 and
has inducted over 300 members.
