The Austin College Phi Xi chapter of Alpha Phi Omega, a national service organization, has been awarded the Chapter of Excellence Award at the Diamond level for 2016.
The award recognizes chapters whose programs of leadership, friendship, and service promote growth, retention, and stability for the chapter. Chapters are recognized for providing a positive, inviting, and educational environment for prospective and new members. The Diamond level is the highest level of recognition and this is the first time Phi Xi has met the requirements. Austin College APO was honored at the Gold level in 2015.
Pranav Sheth, Austin College APO vice president, said, “The Chapter of Excellence Award is not simply one form you fill out and submit. In fact, it’s the result of constant communication with the National Office over time. Because we are evaluated on our performance throughout the year, the award is determined based on how active a chapter is.”
The Phi Xi chapter of APO was founded at Austin College in 1970 and includes both men and women in its membership. Today, the chapter has 79 members and hosts the annual “Roo Boo,” a Halloween event for area schoolchildren, alumni events such as a homecoming dinner, and many other service projects.
The Award was presented at the National Convention in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in December 2016. Karisma Sheth ’17, Deric McCurry ’18, Pranav Sheth ’18, and Aneesa Vaidya ’18 traveled to the convention. McCurry and Pranav Sheth served as voting delegates, representing Austin College at the convention. Pranav Sheth was also appointed as one of 10 students to serve as a Reference Committee Chair.
“Attending the national convention is important as over 2,000 APO members gather to network,” Sheth said. “And, there are many different educational programs and seminars happening at every hour throughout the week. These seminars focus on leadership training, building a healthy chapter, and sometimes even focus on life experiences from alumni who have accomplished noteworthy things.”
As a bi-annual event, the APO National Convention is held in a different host city. Phi Xi is a member of Region 7, including Texas, New Mexico, Louisiana, and Mississippi. The region successfully bid and won the opportunity to host the 2018 convention in Austin, Texas. The four Austin College students attending the 2016 convention served as ambassadors for the Regional Bid Team working to convince members to choose the Austin location. In the coming year, members of the Austin College chapter will work with other students in the region to plan for the 2018 event.
Austin College, a private national liberal arts college located north of Dallas in Sherman, Texas, has earned reputation for excellence in academic preparation, international study, pre-professional foundations, leadership development, committed faculty, and hands-on, adventurous learning opportunities. One of 40 schools profiled in Loren Pope’s influential book Colleges That Change Lives, Austin College boasts a welcoming community that embraces diversity and individuality, with more than 36 percent of students representing ethnic minorities. A residential student body of 1,250 students and a faculty of more than 100 allow a 12:1 student-faculty ratio and personalized attention. The College is related by covenant to the Presbyterian Church (USA) and cultivates and inclusive atmosphere that supports students’ faith journeys regardless of religious tradition. Founded in 1849, the College is the oldest institution of higher education in Texas operating under original name and charter.