For the second year in a row, Alpha Omicron Pi was voted “Best Organization” at Elon University. This sorority was originally founded in 1897, and the chapter at Elon was founded in 1987. According to Alpha Omicron Pi on Phoenix Connect, their mission is to promote lifelong friendships, inspire academic excellence, lead by example and serve the nearby communities.
The organization values service above all else, according to sophomore Josie Brothers. The sorority is the only panhellenic organization on campus that serves two philanthropies each year. In addition to the national philanthropy that all chapters of AOII serve, Arthritis foundation, Elon’s chapter votes on a second philanthropy each year to serve the needs of the local community and fit the values of the sorority members. This year, their second philanthropy is suicide prevention.
Brothers’ favorite aspect of AOII is this double philanthropy. Brothers was drawn to the sorority because of the passionate community the sorority created.
“It’s wonderful because we can listen to our community of AOII sisters and hear them and what they’re passionate about and support them in their endeavors,” Brothers said.
Senior Ashley Balick said she was drawn to AOII when she went through recruitment because of how unique the organization was.
“I just remember going into AOII every day, and leaving the room and feeling like there was something special in there and feeling like I fit,” Balick said. “I really liked looking around the room and seeing that everybody was different. Nobody looked the same. I could really see that there’s a lot of individuals within the room, which is something really important to me.”