Spring 2008

Chapter Check-In

Alpha - University of Maryland

Fall 2007 was an exciting time for the Alpha Chapter members. New members joined our chapter and brought with them new ideas and energy to add to that our chapter already had. October was one of our most eventful months, starting with our first event of the semester, the annual Halloween theme party, held in the middle of the month. This year Alpha Chapter members and guests dressed up in unique and exciting costumes and enjoyed a night of music and fellowship at Drifter’s Bar. Sophomore chapter member Justin Whiting won the prize for best costume.

A week before Halloween thirty five of the alpha chapter members made a trip to and from Washington, DC on a fully equipped party bus. The bus took the students to 1223, a popular DC club, and drove them back at the end of the night. This event was organized by sophomore vice president Andrew Pakchoian and was deemed a great success by all who attended. We thank Andrew for organizing this trip and hope that we can make it a regular event.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month and this year the Alpha chapter like previous years had a presence at Baltimore’s Race for the Cure. Several of our members showed their support by racing and several others donated money by buying breast cancer awareness ribbons throughout the month. Thank you to all who organized the month-long sales and supported this cause!

In support of a campus charity, candy grams were sold in support of Quest for Care. This charity serves as a resource for funds for patients who cannot afford the already reduced costs of dental care at our school. Appreciation goes out to Bahar Zarrabi, Tessa Modiri, Marc Toso, Meghan Tsakalos, Andrew Pakchoian, Steve Pine and Chris Appleman for making, organizing and selling the candy grams!

On October 29th, the Alpha chapter hosted its second annual American Red Cross blood drive organized by our secretary, Bahar Zarrabi. Students from different professional schools on our campus along with faculty and staff members donated a total of 35 life-saving units of blood. Thanks goes out to all who participated and volunteered and made this event possible!

This year’s freshmen were inducted into our family in a wonderful ceremony on November 14th organized by our new officers for this year. As is the tradition, the induction ceremony was held in Davidge Hall, the oldest teaching facility still in use. The new members were inducted after reading the Psi Omega oath and learning about the history of our chapter. Present at the induction were Dr. Tom Daley, Alpha chapter alumnus and a devoted supporter; Dr. Harry Dressel, benefactor of our school and supporter of our chapter; Drs. Ferrell and Bonebreak, our chapter’s Deputy Councilors; and Dr. Seibel, our chapter’s previous and now retired Deputy Councilor. We would like to take this opportunity to once again thank Dr. Seibel for his years of dedication to our chapter and his continued support for its members and activities. The Alpha chapter would also like to extend its thanks to Drs. Bonebreak and Ferrell for their continued advisement and support of our chapter and its undertakings.

As a continued semester-long effort, the Psi- Omega Dental Educational Outreach Program had its first outing on November 5th and its second on November 27th to talk to Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd and 3rd grade classes at the Empowerment Academy in West Baltimore. The children were enthused with the events we had planned for them and got to take home a goody bag which included an Oral-B stage 3 toothbrush, Sponge- Bob dental stickers and sparkle toothpaste. We will continue visiting elementary schools throughout the school year and thank Julie Lokitis for putting this all together.

The DC alumni chapter graciously extended another invitation to our chapter members to attend a dinner lecture with them in late November. For the sake of learning and meeting dentists in the community, eight of our members made their way to Chevy Chase, MD to listen to a representative of a digital radiography company speak about their new digital sensor. In addition to this informative session, the attendees enjoyed a hearty feast provided by Alfio’s La Trattoria Restaurant. Many thanks to the DC alumni chapter for, once again, inviting us to their dinner.

Our upcoming Spring semester is full of exciting events and wonderful outreach programs. Dr. Daley and his wife will be hosting their annual holiday party and of course there is the annual post-gross party held in honor of the freshmen finishing gross anatomy and many more thrilling events to come. The Alpha chapter would like the thank all who helped make this past semester the great success it was and wishes everyone a Happy New Year!

Melody Daroogar (’10)

Psi Omega Fraternity
1040 Savannah Highway
Charleston, SC 29407

Telephone: (843) 556-0573
Fax: (843) 556-6311
E-mail: psiomega@bellsouth.net