Gamma Phi Beta - University of Nebraska-Lincoln

A s many of you traveled to Lincoln and the chapter house in November for the centennial celebration, you may be wondering why there are a variety of spray paintings near the front entrance of Gamma Phi Beta. While they may seem to be out of place, it is actually quite an honor to have such a decorated walkway. The paintings are "taggings" left by senior honor society members at the University of Nebraska- Lincoln. On campus, we have three honor societies: Mortar Board, Omicron Delta Kappa, and the Innocents Society. It is not uncommon to find Gamma Phi Beta women as active members of all three. While each society is made up of outstanding student leaders, there are unique differences to them all. The Innocents Society was founded in 1903 at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and is only found on our campus. It is the Chancellor's Senior Honorary, and each year 13 juniors are selected for membership based on leadership, service, and academic excellence. The society was named for the 13 Popes Innocent as they stood as "champions against evil." Mortar Board is also a National College Honor Society that recognizes seniors for superior achievement in scholarship, leadership, and service. Mortar Board was founded in 1918 as strictly a women- only honor society. Then in 1975, the organization opened to outstanding male leaders and remains that way today. Mortar Board's main philanthropic focus is the pro-literacy project, Reading is Leading. Omicron Delta Kappa and Mortar Board partner each fall to host a 5K event for the Team Jack Foundation. The mortar board is an ancient symbol of honor and distinction and is used to represent the organization. Current Gamma Phi Beta members are Liz Ripa '11, Cassie McKay '12, and me, with Lauren Gruefe '12 and Maggie Schneider '12 recently selected. Omicron Delta Kappa is a National Leadership Honor Society that was founded at Washington and Lee University in 1914. Throughout the past 100 years, ODK has initiated over 300,000 members and has more than 285 Circles (chapters) at colleges and universities across the country. ODKs recognize academic success and campus involvement across the five pillars that the organization was founded on: scholarship, athletics, campus and community service, journalism speech and the mass media, and creative and performing arts. This December, we are excited to celebrate our 100th year. Current Gamma Phi Beta members are Jena Gangwish '12 and Melissa Bakewell '11, with Kelsey Harrington '12 and Kelli Kuntz '12 recently selected. It is an outstanding honor for Gamma Phi Beta to have many women invited to be a part of these honor societies. The selection process is quite competitive with only very high achieving individuals being initiated. The next time you stop by the house, be sure to pay extra attention to the growing number of taggings left by current and past Gamma Phi Betas. In IIKE, Shelby Kruse '12 A Slice of Pi page 2 Undergraduates Selected to Campus Honor Societies Cassie McKay '12, Liz Ripa '11, and Shelby Kruse '11 in front of the chapter house with their Mortar Board taggings. Brooke Jensen '10, Jena Gangwish '12, Erin DuBois '10, Melissa Bakewell '11, and Emily Trofholz '10 celebrate selection into Omicron Delta Kappa. Welcome, New Members Angela Nelson '14 / Wayne, Neb. Julia Nguyen '14 / Omaha, Neb. Elizabeth Todsen '14 / Ord, Neb. Shelby Wachal '14 / Pleasant Dale, Neb. Evyn Watts '14 / Omaha, Neb. Larissa Wiebelhaus '14 / Parker, Colo. The 2015 executive officers: Taylor Kuhlman '13, Maggie Schneider '12, Ashton Parmley '12, Meredith Hovis '13, Alayna Stokes '13, Kaitie Cook '13, and Megan White '12. Executive Officers President Maggie Schneider '12 Administrative Vice President Megan White '12 Financial Vice President Meredith Hovis '13 Membership Vice President Ashton Parmley '12 Education Vice President Alayna Stokes '13 Public Relations Vice President Taylor Kuhlman '13 Panhellenic Affairs Vice President Kaitie Cook '13

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