By RUDO ELLEN KAZEMBE ‘20
FEATURES EDITOR
Alpha Phi Omega is a National Service Fraternity and was founded on principles of Leadership, Friendship, and Service in 1925 at Lafayette College in Easton, Pennsylvania. The Alpha Zeta Delta Chapter was founded in 2006 at Lake Forest College. According to President Bridget Whited ‘19, there are “a total of 48 members in [the] chapter” which are inclusive of “25 actives [and] 23 associates.”
A member of the fraternity, Jennifer Bolek ‘20 joined Alpha Phi Omega because she “wanted to get to know more people on campus, and because it offers opportunities to get involved with and give back to the community.” Another member, Yessenia Abigail Alvarado ‘20 stated that she joined Alpha Phi Omega because she was a proactive member of the Rotary Interact Club in high school and she wanted to “continue volunteering” in college. This general sentiment has been resounding with other members such as Natalie Stevenson ‘20 saying that she joined this particular fraternity because it gives her the “satisfaction of being involved both on and off campus [whilst] doing good deeds.”
The four types of service in Alpha Phi Omega-Alpha Zeta Delta are service to the fraternity, service to the campus, service to the community, and service to the nation. Members within this fraternity are expected to pay their dues, complete their service hours, attend chapter, and participate in one or two philanthropy events. Whited ‘19 stated that the “Charity Challenge and Apple Pie Omega” have been some of the most successful events that Alpha Phi Omega has hosted.
In addition to service, Alpha Phi Omega places an emphasis on fellowship, which involves building stronger ties between members. According to Claire Grebner ‘20 “some of [her] favorite memories have been the fellowship activities like the lock-in this semester in the lounge and the visit to Nickel City during [her] first semester.” Alpha Phi Omega also makes an effort to support their members’ outside events or activities sponsored by other organizations.
Alpha Phi Omega has impacted the campus lives of different members in positive ways. According to the treasurer Michelle Zakson ‘20, “APO has given [her] an opportunity to increase [her] leadership experience,” and she has “been able to participate in so many service opportunities from selling concessions at the BMW golf championship to raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society to helping lead enrichment activities for kids at North Chicago elementary schools, and so much more.”
There are various long-term benefits of joining Greek life organizations, such as network-building and gaining a good support system. According to Zakson ‘20, “Once you join [APO], you really are a bro for life! You will always be able to come back and be a part of the organization in some way. Plus, you gain so many life skills that you can use along the way.”
Rudo Ellen Kazembe can be reached at kazembere@mx.lakeforest.edu
Photo courtesy : Sophia Roumeliotis ‘20
