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Alpha Epsilon Zeta is the University of Texas at Dallas's chapter of Alpha Phi Omega. It is a coed service fraternity dedicated to the principles of Leadership, Friendship and Service.

About AEZ

Alpha Phi Omega is dedicated to being the premiere, inclusive, service-oriented, campus-based leadership development organization in the nation. Founded as an extension of Scouting principles at the college level, APO is dedicated to providing service, developing leadership, and fostering friendship wherever possible.

At the University of Texas at Dallas, APO has been an active part of the campus community since it's chartering in 1998. They hold annual service projects like Trick or Treat for Canned Goods, Ugly Man on Campus, Scouting University, and Math and Science Camp for Kids.

The members there are campus leaders, actively participating in student organizations ranging from Student Ambassadors to IPSA, Peer Health Educators to Golden Key. AEZ members, both male and female, are united in a spirit of brotherhood by both our casual fellowships and formal banquets that close each semester.

Founding

At the beginning of the Fall 1997 semester, UTD staff member Roger Stearns set out to establish a chapter of Alpha Phi Omega on the UT-Dallas campus. Roger was quickly introduced to Luci Wong, the first interested student, by Section 41 Chair Kari Logan. From this point, the two began actively recruiting students to begin an Alpha Phi Omega chapter on the UTD campus.

Roger moved to Dallas in August 1997 to work for the UTD Police Department. Originally from Illinois, Roger spent 8 years with APO in Fayetteville, Arkansas. While in Fayetteville he, along with seven other Eagle Scouts, re-established the Beta Rho Chapter of Alpha Phi Omega in Spring 1990. He graduated from the University of Arkansas with a bachelor's degree in communications and worked for the University of Arkansas Police Department.

Luci's first contact with Alpha Phi Omega had been earlier that spring. She was introduced to APO by Amy DeLisse, a high school friend from Richardson, Texas who was a brother with the Beta Rho Chapter at the University of Arkansas. Luci attended the Section 41 conference with Amy that semester, and decided she would endeavor to get the fraternity chartered on the UTD campus when she returned to school after the summer break.

Roger and Luci posted flyers on campus, set up an information table, and held information meetings to recruit more students interested in LEADERSHIP, FRIENDSHIP, and SERVICE. The group officially became an Interest Group on November 13, 1998. Alpha Omicron Chapter at Southern Methodist University (SMU) was assigned to be our sponsoring chapter. By the end of the Fall semester the group had recruited 16 students and 6 advisors.

The students were: Daisy Blake, Valerie Britton, Jay Cordaro, Somchai Paiboonfungfuang, Nicole Johnson (Sigma Nu Chapter Alumni), Robyn Jordan, Huan Le, Jason Mercer (Eagle Scout), Daniel Rathburn, Kelly Severns, Christine Shek, Terry Serna (Beta Sigma Chapter Alumni), Christian Sparks, Minh Hai Tran, Steve Westdyk (Eagle Scout), and Luci Wong.

Officers

Elected

President - Shruthi Naik

VP CoLD - Kristina Davies

VP Membership - Srivalli Kanumilli

VP Service - Lucas Shelton

Secretary - Shrishma Naik

Treasurer - Mandy Blanton

Pledge Master - Aaron Copeland

President Appointed

Sergeant at Arms - Vikas Bhagat

Web Resources Coordinator - Aaron Copeland

Service Chairs

Math and Science Camp - Kristina Davies

Awards

At the end of each semester an awards committee is formed to decide who is awarded for their achievements and dedication. Such awards are:

Outstanding Pledge

Past Winners include:

Shrishma Naik - Spring '05

Lucas Shelton - Fall '04

Michelle Plumb - Spring '04

Navin Hariprasad - Fall '03

Alex Dela Garza - Spring '03

Gary Lichliter - Spring '02

Jon "Milton" Berry - Fall '01

Tony Mendina - Spring '01

Jo Anne Wright - Fall '00

John Thompson - Spring '00

Jodie Helgesen - Fall '99

Jennifer Shay - Spring '99

Shelly Lindahl - Fall '98

Leigh Anne Hutchison - Spring '98

Outstanding Active

Past Winners include:

Christine Shek - Spring '98

Outstanding Service Hours (Active)

Past Winners include:

Christine Shek - Spring '00

Outstanding Service Hours (Pledge)

Past Winners include:

Mandy Blanton - Spring '05

Travis Hendricks - Spring '05

Dennis Abensur - Fall '04

Brian Gardner - Fall '04

Chapter Distinguished Service Key

Past Winners include:

Stella Mulberry - Spring '05

Steven Proctor - Fall '04

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Annual Service Projects

The Service program at AEZ is very diverse, comprising of projects from each of the four fields of service: Chapter, Campus, Community, and Country. We have hosted conferences, conducted maintenance work around campus, cleaned the attic at Bryan's House (a house for children affected by AIDS), and much much more.

UMOC

Ugly Man on Campus or UMOC for short. The purpose of this fundraiser is to raise money for a non-profit organization. Last year, we raised $800 for a non-profit organization of the winners choice. The project involves an election with six candidates (three students and three faculty members) who compete for the title, "Ugly Man on Campus." The election runs for five days, February 24-28, 2003. All silver change counts as negative votes; all pennies and bills count as positive votes. At the end of UMOC week, the candidate with the most positive votes is declared "Ugly Man on Campus."

Trick or Treat for Canned Goods

Every UTD organization is invited to participate in the annual Trick-or-Treat for Canned Goods sponsored by Alpha Phi Omega. Each organization may enter teams of no more than eight people to compete for the most cans collected. Costumes are highly recommended. All donations benefit the North Texas Food Bank. Title and prizes is awarded to the team that gets the most cans.

Math & Science Camp

Alpha Phi Omega's Annual Math and Science Camp for Kids targets underprivileged elementary students, grades 3rd through 6th, who might be struggling in their studies. This one-day camp features fun and educational workshops that help spark the children.s interest in learning. The camp is offered completely free of charge for its participants. Campers are provided transportation to and from their schools, breakfast, lunch, a camp T-shirt, a certificate, and even a souvenir bag at the end of the day! M&S Camp is a wonderful opportunity for kids to enjoy different areas of science, practice their math skills, learn new concepts, as well as make new friends.

Scouting University

Scouting University is a merit badge college run by the members of the Alpha Epsilon Zeta Chapter of the University of Texas at Dallas. The instructors are either professors or students who have the necessary qualifications for the particular badge. Scouts of all ages are welcome, but preference will be given to older Scouts for certain (Eagle required) merit badges.

Important Dates in Chapter History

Fall 1997 - Stearns sets out to create an APO chapter at UTD

November 13, 1997 - The group officially became an Interest Group. Alpha Omicron Chapter at Southern Methodist University (SMU) was assigned to be our sponsoring chapter. By the end of the Fall semester the group had recruited 16 students and 6 advisors.

January 25, 1998 - The group officially gained Petitioning Group status.

Fall 1998 - First Trick-or-Treat for Canned Goods

December 12, 1998 - Chartering Ceremony took place and the organization was officially named Alpha Epsilon Zeta

December 27-30, 1998 - 9 members of AEZ represented the newest chapter at its first APO National Convention in Minneapolis, MN.

Spring 1999 - First UMOC

Spring 2000 - APO celebrated its 75th anniversary and AEZ hosted its first Sectional Conference. The theme for sectionals was "Diamonds are Forever - 75 Years of APO" in honor of the anniversary, and it was a big success.

Spring 2001 - First Scouting University

Fall 2003 - AEZ hosts its first Regionals. Is a great success having chapters from all over Region 7 (which includes Texas, New Mexico, Louisiana, and Mississippi). We forever go down as having one of the best Regional Conferences.

Past Presidents

Past Chapter Presidents include:

Luci Wong - Fall '97, Spring '98

Jason Mercer - Fall '98, Spring '99

Christine Shek - Fall '99

External Links

Alpha Epsilon Zeta Chapter Website

Alpha Phi Omega National Website