At Convention 2022 in Fort Worth, we inducted 14 members into a new society and inducted 3 members posthumously.
The Omega Phi Alpha Alumni Society recognizes members for their years of membership in the sorority. Members are inducted into the Topaz society with 10 years of membership, Sapphire society with 25 years of membership, and Diamond society with 40 years of membership. Each member is pinned by another member in the same or higher level of society. This person becomes their “alum big” and can always remember this moment with that person. Often, members who know each other well are paired during the ceremony.
The following members were inducted into the Sapphire society:
- Juanita Wade (Sigma)
- Laureen Pellegrino (Nu)
- Nanda Jayaseelan (Chi)
- Mindi McBroom (Delta)
- Traci Pollock (Delta)
- Sarah VanDyke (Delta)
- Shayna Morris (Delta)
The following members were inducted into the Topaz Society:
- Cassidy Edenborough (Alpha Gamma)
- Catherine Ferrell (Alpha Gamma)
- Crystal Genter (Alpha)
- Megan Gonzalez (Alpha Gamma)
- Christy Redeaux (Upsilon)
- Alexa Tavasci (Alpha Alpha)
- Brittany Thornton (Alpha Kappa)
- Paulina Zawisza (Gamma)
During the planning for this year’s alumni society induction, a few alumni recommended that some eligible members be inducted posthumously. The members listed below were members that were requested to be recognized. They were recognized at the ceremony by an empty chair with three yellow roses. Their information and images also were displayed during the ceremony.
The following members were inducted posthumously into the Diamond society:
- Janice Sedory (Alpha)
- Marianna Cronrath (Beta)
Jan (Schnack) Sedory was a founding member of Alpha Chapter at Bowling Green State University. Jan was highly respected by her sisters for her commitment to her ethics and her natural ability to teach and lead. She served as National President from 1972-1973 and 1974-1976 and received the Susan Terzian Award in 1980. Jan became a member of the Omega Phi Alpha Foundation Founder’s Circle in 2022 and her legacy will live on through her memory.
Marianna (Alfano) Cronrath joined Beta Chapter in the Spring of 1970 and served as chapter president during her senior year at University of Bridgeport. Marianna was instrumental in the founding of Delta Chapter at Texas A&M University with her future husband Bill, who was a student at A&M and a member of Alpha Phi Omega National Service Fraternity. Marianna graduated from the University of Bridgeport in 1973 with a biology (pre-med) degree.
The following member was inducted posthumously into the Topaz society:
- Rebecca Trageser (Alpha Iota)
Rebecca “Becca” Trageser was a founding member of Alpha Iota Chapter at Notre Dame of Maryland University and served as the first chapter treasurer. After graduating in 2010, Becca went on to work for Anne Arundel Community College. Becca’s sense of humor, gentle spirit, and love of Disney will be remembered by all who knew her.