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Purpose

• To recognize those fraternity men and women who have attained a high standard of leadership in interfraternity activities, to encourage them to continue along this line, and to inspire others to strive for similar conspicuous attainment;
• To bring together outstanding fraternity men and women to create an organization which will help to mold the sentiment of the institution on questions of local and intercollegiate fraternity affairs.
• To bring together members of the faculty, alumni, and student members of the institution's fraternities and sororities on a basis of mutual interest, understanding and helpfulness;
• To help create an atmosphere where ideas and issues can be discussed openly across Greek lines and to help work out solutions.

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History

The Order of Omega was founded at the University of Miami in the fall of 1959 by a group of outstanding fraternity men, who felt that individuals in the Greek community should be recognized for their service to the fraternity system and the University.

The Chapter of Miami had long desired for their organization to expand to other colleges and universities. The Chapter gave its sanction to Dean Patrick W. Halloran to make initial inquiries and to further grant charters to universities that were accredited and interested in the purpose of The Order of Omega. On February 9, 1967, a Chapter was chartered at the University of Southern Mississippi. There are now over three hundred chapters in the United States with approximately ten additional campuses that are petitioning the national.

The idea of an honorary for fraternity men at the University of Miami is attributed to Parker F. Enwright, the advisor to fraternities at the time. Enwright was later to accept a position at the University of Pittsburgh. He was also responsible for the founding of the Omega Chapter at the University of Pittsburgh in the spring of 1964.

The original constitution was approved by the Organizations Committee at the University of Miami on April 14, 1959, the recognized founding date.

Since then a Constitution has been constructed to guide the Order's affairs. Chapter charters and membership certificates have been designed. The ritual and regalia, since revised, serve as a foundation upon which this honorary is being built. The Order of Omega voted to become a co-ed organization in the spring of 1977.

Many institutions have inquired concerning membership in the Order. Colonization procedures have been implemented to further the growth of this honorary.

Considering the age of the American college fraternity, the "active honorary" concept is long overdue. There must continue to be a common means by which the most outstanding fraternity men and women can stand united to further the philosophy of the college fraternity.

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