Sunday, February 25th, was a day of celebration and ceremony for the Iota chapter of Phi Upsilon Omicron. Phi Upsilon Omicron is a nationally recognized honors fraternity for students studying family and consumer sciences, as well as any other related areas. It emphasizes the importance of academic excellence, leadership through service, and a commitment to continual learning in family and consumer sciences. The national organization was established February 10, 1909, and the University of Kentucky Iota chapter was chartered on February 26, 1922.
Founders Day is an annual event that brings together the alumni and collegiate chapters for the initiation of new members and fellowship among all members. On February 25th, current officers Katherine Dale, Michaela Mineer, and Gretchen Trumbo led the initiation ceremony for the following collegiate initiates:
- Tyler Cole-Hobbs, Family Sciences major
- Kymberly Johnson, Merchandising, Apparel and Textiles major
Kim Henken, Acting Director of the School of Human Environmental Sciences, was also initiated as an honorary Phi Upsilon Omicron member because of her continued advocacy in the field of family and consumer sciences. Mrs. Tresea Maull, Alumni Chapter president, inducted the following students into the alumni chapter:
- Michaela Mineer, Family Sciences major
- Gretchen Trumbo, Dietetics major
Inspirational words were brought to the chapter by Ms. Kayla Godbey, a graduate of the University of Kentucky Family and Consumer Sciences Education program and former Phi Upsilon Omicron Iota chapter president. Kim Henken brought a welcome from the School and spoke to the historical integrity Phi Upsilon Omicron has upheld. At the close of the ceremony, everyone in attendance socialized over refreshments graciously provided by the alumni chapter.
A third undergraduate initiate, Evelyn Burks, a family sciences major, was initiated at the chapter meeting on March 20, 2018.
Congratulations to all of the new initiates!
Picture (l to r): Tresea Maull, Alumni President: Kymberly Johnson, initiate; Katherine Dale, Chapter President; Tyler Cole-Hobbs, initiate; and Kim Henken, honorary member.