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National Order of Omega

Order of Omega is a national organization recognizing those fraternity men and women who have attained a high standard of leadership in interfraternity activities. Order of Omega encourages them to continue along this line, and to inspire others to strive for similar conspicuous attainment. By bringing 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. Order of Omega brings 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.

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 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.

History at Columbia

The first incarnation of the Nu Omicron chapter began in 1993, with a group of highly motivated Juniors and Seniors who wanted to be part of a greater National network of exceptional Greeks. Columbia's Greek life at the time made the chapter difficult to maintain, and by 1997 the Order of Omega had ceased initiating new members. In 2001 the Chapter was reborn and began to grow; however, the lack of a strong alumni base and confusion about the Order's mission again caused the chapter to terminate operations after the Spring of 2007. This short hiatus was ended one year later, in the fall of 2008 when a group of Seniors formed a new Executive Committee and tried to bring a new level of enthusiasm and dedication to the Order. As of spring 2010, the Order is in its second consecutive year of operation and is trying to avoid mistakes made in the past. We seek to form strong alumni connections, reach out to every chapter on campus, and have a well-defined purpose and image on campus as a Service-Oriented, success-driven organization of the best and most effective minds in Columbia's Greek system.

Columbia's Nu Omicron Chapter

Membership is by application only. Applicants must be well involved in their chapter, the Columbia Greek community, and the Columbia community at large, while also maintaining above a 3.2 minimum GPA. Applications are available in the Membership section.

As a service organization, the Order participates in several events each semester, including:

Memory Walk to Fight Alzheimer's in Riverside Park
Making Strides Breast Cancer Walk in Central Park
Pancreatic Cancer Purple Walk in Riverside Park
CU Dance Marathon for Elizabeth Glazer Pediatric AIDS Foundation
After hours tutoring Holiday Party
Joint/Sigma Nu Laughs for Relief Comedian to Benefit Haiti Event
Columbia University Relay for Life
Columbia Community Outreach

Also, as a success-driven group the Order is hosting an Entrepreneurship Panel for all undergraduates. We've invited esteemed and successful entrepreneurs to come and speak about their experiences, offer advice to Columbia students, and reflect on their decisions.