MARYVILLE, Mo. – The Beta Upsilon chapter of the coed service fraternity, Alpha Phi Omega (APO), is marking its return to Northwest Missouri State University with a rechartering ceremony Feb. 21.
The international president of APO is expected to lead a contingent of fraternity dignitaries to the Northwest campus to celebrate the recharter during a 1 p.m. ceremony in the J.W. Jones Student Union Ballroom. The ceremony is open to members of the fraternity only; the Northwest community is invited to join the fraternity for a banquet with cake and refreshments from 2 to 5 p.m. in the Ballroom.
The chapter meets weekly at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesdays in Room 2900 of the Garrett-Strong Science Building. All Northwest students are invited to attend.
The rechartering process began in 2013 with hopes of setting a new foundation for the chapter, which folded at Northwest more than 30 years ago. Throughout the rechartering process, the chapter has completed service projects for the Northwest campus and a number of local organizations, including the Nodaway Humane Society, Student Activities Council, Northwest Missouri Enterprise Facilitation and Missouri Hope.
Dr. David Shadinger, assistant professor of communication, is the chapter’s advisor. Kayla Rodriguez, a senior psychology and Spanish major from Smithville, Missouri, is the chapter’s first president.
“As we recruited more students, it was their enthusiasm and willingness to make a difference that inspired me the most,” Rodriguez said. “Now we’re at 25 members with over 15 service, fellowship and leadership projects under our belt, and the group is flourishing more than I could have ever hoped.”
Alpha Phi Omega is a national, coeducational service organization, founded on the principles of leadership, friendship and service. Membership is open to any undergraduate student.
Members have the opportunity to develop leadership skills as they volunteer and coordinate service projects on the campus, in the community and for the country.
“We encourage people who are looking to make a difference to join because APO is an opportunity to become a leader, a friend and be of service,” Rodriguez said.
With more than 400,000 members on more than 375 campuses, APO continues to provide more service on more campuses than any other collegiate service organization. Founded at Lafayette College in Easton, Pennsylvania, in 1925, APO is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with international headquarters located in Independence, Missouri.