USU’s Chi Omega Fraternity Donates $125,000 for Scholarships and Leadership

The Utah State University chapter of the Chi Omega Fraternity donated $125,000 to USU’s Student Services in June.

The Alpha Gamma chapter of the Chi Omega House Corporation board donated $100,000 to the USU Chi Omega Legacy Scholarship. Another $25,000 anonymous donation will go toward the Greek Leadership Endowment.

The Chi Omega Legacy Scholarship was established by Chi Omegas from the Alpha Gamma Chapter at Utah State University and other friends of Chi Omega. Its purpose is to create a lasting legacy of the Alpha Gamma Chapter at USU and to provide scholarships for the descendants of members of that chapter. More than 54 alumnae and friends have donated to the scholarship.

“The Chi Omega Legacy scholarship donation will fund a full-year tuition for a student here at USU,” said Patty Halaufia, Chi Omega House Corporation board member. “This is the first year we have been able to present a scholarship to a Chi Omega legacy from our endowment.”

USU student Sara Iverson is the recipient of the 2012 scholarship. Previous recipients are Ashley Munns, Rylee Gregory and Melanie Gunderson.

The Endowment for Greek Leadership is used to support leadership and program development for the members of the Greek community at Utah State University.  

“The Greek Leadership donation will strengthen USU’s Greek community for years to come,” Halaufia said.

Chi Omega was established on the USU campus in 1930. During its 78-year tenure, more than 2,000 women have participated in membership. Members are selected for scholastic achievements and community and campus involvement. Many Alpha Gamma women have gone on to successful careers in politics, medicine, law, business and other areas.  

“The donations to the Chi Omega Legacy Scholarship and to the Greek Leadership Endowment are a testament to the generosity and giving spirit of the USU Chi Omega community,” said Halaufia. “They are a generous group of women who have contributed not only to the local Chi Omega chapter, but also to the USU campus at large. As they have left USU, they also continue to give to their local communities throughout the country. I am honored to be part of the Chi Omega fraternity.”

Nationally, Chi Omega was founded in 1895. Chi Omega is the largest women’s fraternal organization in the world with more than 300,000 initiates and 174 collegiate chapters. Over the years, Chi Omega has nurtured its members, one woman at a time, with unique opportunities in leadership, scholarship and lifelong friendship – striving to provide each sister with a commitment to personal integrity, excellence in academic and intellectual pursuits, intergenerational participation, community service, leadership opportunities and social enrichment.