Trey Latiolais ('08), Colin Lathrop ('09), Brian Jaynes ('08), at Astro's Game during Rush

The Delta Upsilon Chapter of Psi Omega kicked off the semester with a spectacular Rush week! After initiating 28 new members last year, our standards were set high for another successful recruitment! The officers and Rush Chairmen (Sanaz Ekhlassi, ‘09 and Ryan Loveless, ‘08) worked all summer to plan a fun, busy, and most importantly, successful Rush Week. The semester began with a “meet and greet” happy hour at an establishment near campus, and provided a chance for the incoming first years to meet some upper classmen before Rush even began! We then kicked off Rush week with an Astros game, hosted a “Wax and Relax” after school session for the first-year students, hosted a lunchtime “dessert” meeting, held a “Breakfast with the Psi O’s” that included a T-shirt raffle, and finally, Rush week wrapped up with an evening party at Little Woodrow’s in Midtown! As a result of the hard work of the officers and returning members, the Delta Upsilon chapter is proud to boast an outstanding 36 new members! The official initiation is planned for January, and the chapter would like to extend a hearty welcome to all of our new members!

Lauren Plaisance, Tamma Branson, Erika Lamb, Sanaz Ekhlassi (all '09) before Astro's Game

After such a busy Rush, one might think things would slow down a bit, but stayed strong for the chapter! Since Rush, the Chapter has had a “First Friday” social hosted by Niki Benamoz (’08), a Halloween party held at the University Student Housing Center and a delicious barbeque hosted by alumnus Karen Walters (’78). Earlier on the day of the BBQ, a group of Psi O’s joined-up with Team UT and participated in the American Heart Association’s Heart Walk, a 5- mile walk through downtown Houston.

Shawn Rodgers ('08) and wife Dominique at Halloween Party

A large group of Psi Omegas took advantage of an opportunity to help others at the Texas Mission of Mercy in Round Rock, TX. The students spent all day Friday and Saturday extracting teeth and doing necessary operative work for patients who would otherwise not receive dental care. This proved to be an extremely educational and rewarding opportunity for all who participated!

Russell McFarlane ('08) at Texas Mission of Mercy

Ryan Loveless ('08) at Texas Mission of Mercy - Round Rock

To help spread the holiday spirit, the Delta Upsilon Chapter will participate in the “Adopt a Family” Christmas project and provide food and gifts to a family in need. Finally, to celebrate the culmination of another semester, a pre-party is planned before the annual Dental Branch Holiday Party.

In addition to these social and service events, the Psi Omegas held two Lunch and Learns at the school. In October, Edward Rossomando, DDS, PhD, the founder of the American Biodontics Society, spoke to the Psi Os about the society and the students’ opportunities to become involved. A number of Psi Omegas are now working to establish a Biodontics Society at UTDB Houston! A second Lunch and Learn was held in late November, and was co-hosted by the Delta Sigma Delta fraternity.

The spring semester is expected to be busy as well. Future planned events include an initiation party for the new members, “First Friday” events, the annual Senior dinner in April, the annual Crawfish Boil hosted by Trey Latiolais (’08), and another series of “Lunch & Learns” to be held throughout the spring semester.

The members of the Delta Upsilon Chapter would like to extend our sincere THANKS to all of the Psi Omega alums who have contributed to the Chapter’s ongoing success by attending and/or sponsoring events. Without the support of our alumni, the chapter would not be the success that it is today!

Melissa Lent, (’08), Editor

1040 Savannah Highway
Charleston, SC 29407

Telephone: (843) 556-0573
Fax: (843) 556-6311