Spring 2005

Chapter Check-In

Alpha - University of Maryland

The 2004 school year kicked off at the Alpha Chapter with rush, leading to the induction of thirty-nine new members. A special welcome to all new members! The induction was held in the historic Davidge Hall (the oldest medical building in use today in the United States); with special guest speaker Dr. Daley and a string trio lead by Psi O's very own Phong Ta.

Fall began with Race for the Cure, which is an annual Komen Race to raise money for breast cancer by running or walking 5 K through downtown Baltimore. Our team "Psi 0' Silver" of seventeen people was lead by Sarah Bowling and raised $530 for this worthy cause. These numbers make it the largest participation and funds raised to date within our group.
A new tradition started three years ago, carries on today. In September, our very own deputy councilor, professor and friend, Dr. Werner Seibel and his lovely wife have kindly opened their home for the annual Barbeque. As always, it is a great chance to get out of the city and get some good grub prepared by Dr. Seibel.

Our year wouldn't be complete without teaching good oral hygiene habits to grades 1-4 at the Mt. Royal Elementary School. Niven Tien and Eric Morse rounded up ten members to do this good deed and hand out free toothbrushes to the children of Baltimore. Keep those Baltimorian smiles bright!

October isn't the same without Halloween. Five hundred Halloween candy grams were sold under the direction of Kathy Kiersarsky. Half of the proceeds are donated to compromised patients with financial need. This year we were able to donate $155.

If you thought by now that we have given all we can, guess again. Toys for Tots was organized this year by Phong Ta and Melissa Torres. Their efforts have collected $300 plus 150 toys to help benefit underprivileged children. The holidays are not complete without Dr. Daley's holiday party. Sixty-five students attended and feasted on delicious dishes such as leg of lamb and bourbon sweet potatoes among many others.

This fall semester, our chapter decided to take on a new activity among our usual routine and we participated in Habitat for Humanity. Organized by Natalie Mercho, twenty students took on the challenge of insulating, cleaning and painting two different houses in Baltimore's Sandtown community for a combined total of 120 hours of community service on Saturday,. December 11, 2004. The owner of one of the homes ~topped by midday and was very pleased and thankful for all of the help. Putting a face to the place made the project seem all the more worthwhile and a great deal of satisfaction was brought upon us knowing that we could make a difference in our community.

We certainly did a lot of community service this fall and plan to continue with that through the spring as well as ringing in the New Year with more parties. In addition to our annual Senior Banquet and Post Gross parties, the Alpha chapter is planning a pub crawl and a Texas Hold 'em tourney. Keep posted to find out the turnout of those events.

Thanks to our deputy councilor and officers who work hard to keep this chapter growing and surpassing its capabilities every year. Wishing everyone a healthy and successful new year.

Christine Ferrell, ('05), Editor

Psi Omega Fraternity
1040 Savannah Highway
Charleston, SC 29407

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