EO
UNDERGRADUATE NEWS
Epsilon Omicron Returns to NIU and Inspires Hope
By Steven Warren
ing closely with the Uni- versity and the 23 rd North Central Province Polemarch Korlon Kilpatrick II. Brother Warren said “It was an ideal situation, consid- ering both the Chapter Advisor Brother Leonard McCall (Epsilon Omicron 1978) and I are Epsilon Omicron initiates, both active with the NIU Alumni association and both mem- bers of EPA. In fact, 10 Epsilon Omicron initiates who are members of EPA. We were able to leverage our existing relationships with the NIU administra- tion as NIU Alumni. This
award and the “Outstanding New Mem- ber Education Program” for outstanding performance in the NIU Greek com- munity out of the 45 fraternities and sororities on campus. During the spring of 2018, Epsilon Omicron participated in the MTA intake and added four new brothers: Geowayne Malik Williams-Mays, a junior Finance major from University Park, IL; O’Neal Keith Gates, a sophomore Public Health major from Chicago, IL; Kristopher Leg- gin, a sophomore Business Management major from Bellwood, IL; and Donnell Singleton, a junior Health Administra- tion major from Chicago, IL. After their New Member Presen- tation, the neophytes participated in Epsilon Omicron reunion in the third week of April 2018 where the chapter celebrated its 50-year anniversary of its chartering. The celebration began on campus with Kappa Week activities and culminated with a formal banquet Saturday evening. The highlight of the week was the fellowship between the 2016 and 2018 initiates with the charter members and other brothers from the 1960s and 1970s. Over 150 Epsilon Omicron alumni were in attendance. Several NIU officials, including the Vice President of Diversity and the Vice President of Greek Affairs were honored guests. Ms. Morgan Brickley, Associate Director for Fraternity and Sorority Life, commented that she had never seen that level of support for an undergradu- ate chapter from alumni members of any Greek organization, NPHC or IFC in her 20 years’ experience at several universities. She further stated that the Alumni support gives the University confidence that the Epsilon Omicron chapter will continue to succeed and serve as an example to all Greek letter organizations on campus. The vision of the chapter is to solidify their standing as number one amongst NIU fraternities and sororities.
I n 2016, the Epsilon Omicron Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. returned to the campus of Northern Illinois University (NIU) located in DeKalb, IL. In fall of 2016, 11 NIU students were selected to participate in the frater- nity’s Membership Training Academy (MTA) to bring the chapter back to the NIU campus. In November 2016, Epsilon Omicron held its New Mem- ber Presentation where over 1,000 people attended, including NIU faculty, students, alumni, as well as close family and friends. This event represented the culmination of planning by Kappa Men to bring EO back to its rightful place within the NIU student community. The brothers of the Epsilon Omicron, Kode of Psilence, Fall 2016, were well supported by the student body and the faculty, and were welcomed back to the campus with open arms. Brother Steve Warren (Epsilon Omi- cron 1978), past Polemarch of the Ever- green Park (IL) Alumni Chapter (EPA), was involved throughout the chapter reinstatement and MTA process partner- The 2018 Epsilon Omega initiates at NIU.
allowed us to play a significant role in bringing our chapter back on campus.” All 11 neophytes, along with members of the advising chapter, Evergreen Park (IL) Alumni, were in attendance at the 34 th Chicago Metro Chapters Found- ers’ Day banquet where our 33 rd Grand Polemarch, Thomas L. Battles Jr. served as guest speaker. NIU has embraced the reinstatement of Epsilon Omicron. Chapter members have said that they are prepared and working hard to establish their academic and community service achievements. “The return of the Epsilon Omicron Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. to Northern Illinois University is about providing our students with the best opportunity to become actively engaged in the university community, the DeKalb community, and beyond. We are collaborators with them in their efforts to succeed both academically and professionally!” Dr. Eric A. Weldy, Vice President of Student Affairs said. In the first semester fully active on campus after reinstatement, Epsilon Omicron was recognized by the univer- sity with the “Most Improved Chapter”
Publishing achievement for more than 100 years
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