It was a big weekend in Binghamton, New York, and not just because Binghamton University hosted their annual Spring Fling.
On Saturday, April 29, 2023, Omega Phi Alpha inducted the newest active chapter to the sorority, Alpha Phi Chapter at Binghamton University. We inducted 23 founding members into lifetime membership, as well as one honorary member. Alumni from across the country came to celebrate the weekend, with sisters from Kansas to Georgia making the trek to upstate New York. The ceremony was led by Vice President of Programs Megan Sheppard (Alpha Iota), Expansions Director Summer Ray (Alpha Pi), Expansions Manager Corey Goodburn (Alpha Kappa), Expansions Coordinator Abbie Gillin (Alpha Lambda), Foundation Interim President Penny Guiles (Chi), and Chapter Advisor and Chapter Health Specialist Jenna Zielinski (Omega).
The festivities kicked of on Friday night with sisterhood and service! First, all members met at the University Union for quick introductions. Then, we went on a tour of Binghamton University led by Chapter Vice President Aly Harris. She shared a lot of fun facts about the campus. Did you know that Binghamton’s campus is shaped like a brain?
After the tour, alumni and founding members came together for a service project to create blankets for Project Linus. A lot of the bigs and littles sat together and each made a blanket to be donated.
It was great to start the weekend off with service and also bond as sisters as we made blankets together, did some catching up, and got to know each other better. As we were finishing up, Chapter Historian Alexa Ross presented about the expansions process of Alpha Phi Chapter, highlighting all of the events they did along the way! There was a lot of fun photos and memories shared. It was great for alumni to learn more about the new chapter and for founders to reflect upon the experience. The night ended with dinner at Chipotle and Five Guys, the perfect way to start the weekend.
Saturday morning, founding and alumni members gathered at the Binghamton University Union for the long-awaited induction ceremony. It was a meaningful moment for the founders as they celebrated all of their hard work coming into fruition as they officially became a chapter and active members of Omega Phi Alpha. Founders were excited to receive their active member pins, sign the first page of their membership ledger, and to see their names on the Chapter Charter.
The ceremony was followed by lots of photos and brunch! Everyone was happy to eat good New York bagels. Presents were presented to both individuals and to the whole chapter. The group received various gifts from generous members, the national team, and the Omega Phi Alpha Foundation to supercharge their start as a new chapter. The founding members were so grateful to have received resources and supplies for their chapter. They were also ecstatic to receive more Omega Phi Alpha merchandise and their first pair of letters that they now get to proudly wear!
The weekend didn’t end after the induction ceremony—all members then attended Binghamton University’s annual Spring Fling. The university puts on a carnival every spring semester to celebrate the end of the year. There are rides, games, food trucks, live music, fun activities, giveaways, and more. Many alumni had fun on the different rides at the festival.
Many organizations have their own table at the event as well! The new Alpha Phi Chapter was able to host a lemonade stand to raise funds for their chapter, so founding members, Alpha class members, and alumni were helping to man the table, make, and sell lemonade! After the carnival, the University then hosts a concert that a lot of the collegiate members had fun attending. After the carnival winded down, alumni and a few collegiate members went out to dinner to cap off an excellent day!
On Sunday, all members (including Alpha Phi’s Alpha new member class) started off the day with a sisterhood event, creating friendship bracelets. Following the sisterhood event, Alpha Phi Chapter activated 20 new members into the Alpha Class of their newly established chapter. It was the first time Alpha Phi conducted an activation ceremony on their own, but they were thankful to have the help and support of alumni in attendance. Alumni were excited to meet the Alpha class and their grand littles. Everyone had fun taking photos of their family lineages. After the ceremony, we took various group photos of the whole chapter. Then, everyone was able to continue celebrating with more brunch food as well as a cake that was enjoyed by all.
To conclude Sunday’s festivities and to wrap up the weekend, Alpha Phi Chapter held both an officer installation ceremony and a senior ceremony. Many of the young alumni in attendance had also never witnessed a senior ceremony, so it was a sentimental experience for everyone. After the ceremonies, everyone formed a circle for a pass the rose ceremony. Members shared and reflected upon the weekend, their time in Omega Phi Alpha, the expansions process, and what they’re looking forward to next as an new active member in a new active chapter. We ended with the OPhiA chat which is always everyone’s favorite! An excellent way to end an amazing weekend!
To Alpha Phi Chapter—Thank you for hosting such a wonderful induction weekend. We are so proud of all of your hard work and dedication. Special thanks to the expansions team, Summer Ray (Alpha Pi), Corey Goodburn (Alpha Kappa), Abbie Gillin (Alpha Lambda), and Jenna Zielinski (Omega) for helping behind-the-scenes to make this induction a reality.
The weekend was jam-packed with love, friendship, and a deeper understanding of what it means to be a member of Omega Phi Alpha. What a fantastic way to celebrate the founding members and their accomplishments.
Congratulations to the newest active members of Omega Phi Alpha and the founders of Alpha Phi Chapter at Binghamton University:
Kaylin Anest
Sophia Calabrese
Jenna Callanan
Katrina Dydzuhn
Mary Flores
Ashley Foley
Emma Hannigan
Aly Harris
Taylor Laubacher
Emily Leighton
Meara McManus
Maura Pasqualicchio
Riya Patel
Debra Perlmutter
Rita Pierson
Isabella Romano
Alexa Ross
Maya Samuel
Tatum Sinopoli
Alexis Slagle
Sarah Tartell
Emily Tonnu
Kyra Wachtenheim
Dalia Mermelstein*
* Honorary member
Want to get in contact with the newly established chapter?
Email Chapter President Sophia Calabrese at alpha.phi.president@omegaphialpha.org.