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Order
of Omega president recognized for service
By
Stacey Grant
Staff Reporter*
While studying abroad in Seville, Spain, last spring,
Katie Goggans returned to her room one day and found an
e-mail from 5,000 miles away.
The e-mail was from the president of Order of Omega, informing
Goggans she had been nominated for president for the upcoming
school year.
Goggans, a senior accounting and Spanish major, said that
even though she was far from home when she got the news,
she knew right away that she wanted to be president of
Order of Omega.
Order of Omega, the national Greek honor society, recognizes
individuals in the Greek community for service to their
fraternity or sorority. Members consist of juniors and
seniors with a 3.0 GPA or higher.
All nominees are required to write an essay on why they
want to be an officer and what they can bring to their
chapter. Goggans wrote her essay from Spain and had it
read in front of the chapter back at TCU.
Goggans said she wanted to be president of Order of Omega
because of what the organization stood for on TCU’s
campus.
“I think that sometimes the Greek community is stereotyped
as a group that is more centered on going out and having
a good time,” Goggans said. “I think it's definitely
important to recognize those students that are working
really hard and accomplishing a lot for their chapter
and school.”
Even though she ran unopposed, Goggans was delighted to
hear she had been elected president for the 2003-2004
school year. Order of Omega has had a Kappa Alpha Theta
president the past three years, and Goggans is happy to
continue the tradition.
Since taking office last August, Goggans has kept busy.
After students apply, they are anonymously selected based
on academic record, participation in their chapter and
service to the community and TCU.
“That’s something we’ve changed this year
because in the past I think they stressed the grades more,”
Goggans said.
She said most members of Order of Omega are from the 10
Panhellenic and 10 Interfraternity organizations. They
are trying to get more students from other Greek organizations
to create a well-rounded chapter, Goggans said.
Order of Omega’s most important event happens April
22 with the annual awards banquet, which honors chapters
for accomplishments throughout the year, Goggans said.
Awards are also given for outstanding adviser and outstanding
involvement.
Wayne Huddleston, Order of Omega adviser, said Goggans
has done a great job as president thus far.
“It’s a tough organization to deal with because
everyone that enters is a junior or senior so there’s
really no transition period,” Huddleston said. “Every
year, new members join, which means there are more new
faces to learn, but Katie has been wonderful with that.”
Leah Clary, Order of Omega secretary and senior social
work major, said Goggans makes a great president because
of her positive and caring personality.
“It takes a positive person to lead an organization
with only juniors and seniors,” Clary said. “As
people reach the end of their college career, they tend
to slowly stop caring about things. Katie does a great
job of keeping people happy and keeping them motivated.”
Goggans said the best thing about Order of Omega is her
chapter’s opportunity to recognize people who wouldn’t
be recognized otherwise.
“The officers in a chapter are constantly recognized
for what they do,” Goggans said. “The individuals
that put in hours and hours of work, they’re the
ones that are overlooked and need to be encouraged. They
make just as much of a difference as the officers do.”
Huddleston said the main reason Goggans has been a great
president is her constant effort to listen to everyone.
“Some people come in with preconceived ideas of how
they want things to go, but not Katie,” Huddleston
said. “She listens to everyone and makes sure to
get input from the group.”
After Goggans graduates in May, she plans on taking a
month off before she works for an investment firm in Fort
Worth. After a few years here, she plans on going to graduate
school and then traveling.
Goggans said she has learned a great deal while being
president of Order of Omega.
“I’ve learned that even though you can hold
an office and have responsibilities, it’s a new feeling
to know that you can make changes and make a difference
on campus,” Goggans said.
* This story appeared in the April 14 edition of the Skiff. |
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Nicole
Martinez/Staff Photographer
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| Order
of Omega President Katie Goggans stands on the steps
of Sadler Hall where the Greek honor society hosts
its annual Holiday Tree Lighting. |
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