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Delta OmegaIn January 1975, a group of Theta alumnae representing the national fraternity visited area alumnae. Their purpose was to check the possibility of establishing a chapter at Texas A&M University and the likelihood of local support. These out of town Thetas were Dorothy Heard, President of Kappa Alpha Theta Foundation, Lucille Garret, former Council Member and longtime Theta supporter (Houston), Mary Arnold, District XII C.D.P. (Austin), and Carolyn Simpson, Grand Council (Baton Rouge). Dorothy Heard greeted each of the local ladies by extending the "Theta grip." The local alumnae, whose history up until that time was one of occasional meetings, knew then that they were up against a formidable group. However, the local gals showed their Aggie spirit when they decided to fully support a colonization project at Texas A &M. The national fraternity was very ambitious that year. Not only was Texas A&M targeted, plans to colonize at the University of California, Riverside Campus and Baylor University were also in the works.Theta has two ways to colonize:
An aggressive agenda was established to get the colonization project going. The first item on the agenda was to publicize (via Theta Magazine) that Theta and Kappa Kappa Gamma were holding a joint rush. Plans were also announced at the Theta convention in Scottsdale, Arizona. In August 1975, the local alumnae chose the chapter name, Delta Omega. With a new name established, it was time to send invitations to young women recommended by Theta alumnae to attend rush interviews and parties. The reception was held in a large suite at the Aggieland Inn in College Station with interviews conducted in separate rooms. The interview team consisted of Joyce Cordon (Rhode Island), Carolyn Simpson (Baton Rouge), state officers Mary Arnold, Alumnae District President, District XII (Austin), and Sharon Wooldridge, College District President, District XII (Dallas). All of the hard work paid off. Thirty-five young women decided to formally pledge with the new Theta chapter. The pledging ceremony was held at The Victorian in Bryan, Texas. Now it was time to get the colony going. Connie Mullins (Collegiate Colonizer), Pat Beal (Adult Coordinator), and other local alumnae served as chapter officers. The first residence was at the Southwest Parkway Apartments, 1602 Southwest Parkway, #906, College Station. Pledge tests, chapter bylaws, house rules, budgets, scholarship and standards programs were all established, reviewed and "fine tuned." Social activities were often held in the party room. Delta Omega's traditional Square Dance originated with this group of young women and was first held at the Kurten Community Center. Football games, midnight yell practice, bonfire, Silver Taps, and other "Aggie" traditional activities were all attended with enthusiasm. The weekend of February 5 - 8, 1976, was chosen as Delta Omega's charter/initiation weekend. Grand President, Martha White; Grand Vice-President, Service, Patricia Pratt; Executive- Secretary Treasurer, Marjorie McAdams; Grand Council, Carolyn Simpson; state officers, Mary Arnold and Sharon Wooldridge; Margaret Stouffer, Advisory Board Chairman, T.C.U.; 15 members of the T.C.U. chapter; Connie Mullins and local alumnae all helped perform the ceremonies of the weekend. Officers were elected and the process of chapter members acting as the chapter leaders began. Jane Garland (Waco) was the first chapter President. Local alumnae became advisors to the chapter instead of acting as officers. The chapter participated in formal Panhellenic rush for the first time in the fall of 1976. Local alumna, Martha Hurley acted as the first rush advisor, and received the first Outstanding Alumnae Award given by the chapter. The chapter moved to another location at the Sausalito Apartment Complex on Harvey Road in College Station. Builder, Larry Landry, approached several sorority groups to move to that location for "custom apartment arrangements" to accommodate the growing chapter sizes. Delta Omega Corporation Board contracted for one of these apartments. However, the chapter soon began to outgrow the apartment. Rumors of a "sorority row" began to circulate. Our corporation board responded by meeting with other sorority groups. After much deliberation, land was purchased on Athens Boulevard for the future site of our permanent home. In 1980, after three years of planning, the first Theta House to be constructed in 15 years was built. With 12,000 square feet, it houses 41 Aggie Thetas and their House Director on three floors. In 1985, the chapter established a philanthropic/service project with the 5-K Run, attracting participants from all over the state. The event is held each year on Parent's Weekend at Texas A&M. In May 2000, there were 653 participants (runners and walkers). Proceeds of over $7,000 were divided equally between the chapter's local philanthropy, Scotty's House, and Theta's national philanthropy, CASA. The Bryan/College Station alumnae club continues to support the chapter in various ways. Several years ago, the club established a scholarship fund through Kappa Alpha Theta Foundation. The Florence Abernathy Waldrop Scholarship is awarded each year to a deserving applicant of Delta Omega Chapter. The amount of the scholarship this year was $1,300. Delta Omega has grown to a current chapter size of 220 members (2000). Quotes: "Remember the black dear, remember the gold, and remember the story that's always been told. Remember the friendships so faithful and true. Remember that Theta loves no one but you. "
AwardsGrand Convention 2002
Grand Convention 2001
District Leadership Convention 2001
Grand Convention 2000
Awards received at conventions over the years:1986 - Grand Convention Bryan/College Station Outstanding Alumnae
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