On Sunday, March 5th, the Iota Chapter of Phi Upsilon Omicron held their annual Founders Day celebration with the alumni chapter. The group gathered in E.S. Good Barn to celebrate the bond they share through professional excellence in family and consumer sciences and to recognize the spring initiates.
Phi Upsilon Omicron is the national honor society in Family and Consumer Sciences. The mission of the organization is to offer an environment empowering lifelong learning, leadership building, and ethical and scholastic excellence. Since February 10, 1909, this honor society has been dear to the hearts of many family and consumer sciences students and professionals, so it is fitting that the Iota Chapter celebrate the founding of the organization near this date each year.
Ms. Louise Gladstone, Iota Chapter Adviser shared, “It is always a pleasure to gather with the collegiate and alumni members to celebrate the initiation of new members and the founding of this honor society. This event enables us to reflect on the leadership and dedication of our members in family and consumer sciences occupations. Membership in Phi Upsilon Omicron is prestigious, and Founders Day exemplifies how our Iota members live out the mission of the society each day.”
The Iota Chapter was excited to welcome five new members during the 2016-2017 school year. Two members were initiated in the fall semester and three were initiated at Founders Day:
- Katherine Dale, Merchandising, Apparel and Textiles major
- Kelsey Barmore, Merchandising, Apparel and Textiles major
- Lindsay Ekberg, Family Sciences major
- Farah Mekhail, Human Nutrition major
- Macy Randle, Family Sciences major
New initiate Lindsay Ekberg stated, “I am very grateful to be given the opportunity to serve the community with the other members of Phi Upsilon Omicron. I am also blessed that my major has provided me with the chance to be part of this organization! Founders Day was a wonderful experience as I was able to be initiated into Phi U and to hear how the lives of the alumni reflects their time as active Phi U members. I know that joining this honor society will be a life changing experience.”
Three new members of the chapter were also inducted into the Phi Upsilon Omicron Alumni Chapter by Dr. Martha Nall, Alumni Chapter President. New alumni members are:
- Brynnan Jacobs, Dietetics major
- Felicia Mings, Merchandising, Apparel and Textiles major
- Ana Cervera, Hospitality Management and Tourism major
Following the initiation ceremony, Dr. RayeCarol Cavender spoke to the group about her involvement in Phi Upsilon Omicron during her undergraduate career at Virginia Tech and how it has impacted her professional career and overall success.
To conclude the event, active members, alumni and guests joined in the Weldon Suite for a reception hosted by the alumni chapter. By networking, the members were able to celebrate the past traditions and current successes of the chapter with a hopeful outlook on a bright future.