Getting reacquainted with something you haven’t been an active part of for years is no easy thing. People change along with the times and we tend to lose touch with each other easily. However, if that something is something you love and cherish, you find a way. In Omega Phi Alpha, alumnae can reconnect to our sorority through the pages of the Chevron.
MEET CAROL THEILEN
Carol pledged in 1994 during her first semester at Texas A&M University. For her, Omega Phi Alpha seemed the perfect fit for her interest in helping other people. “I had always been involved in community service growing up,” she said. “I was looking for something to join and be a part of in college (and) the word ‘sorority’ seemed exciting and scary because I would not have described myself as the typical sorority girl.” Thus began Carol’s life as an O Phi A.
During her years as an active, Carol served Delta Chapter as treasurer, secretary and alumnae secretary. She was very active in contributing chapter updates to the Chevron and was involved with planning Convention when it was hosted by Delta Chapter in 1998. In addition to Omega Phi Alpha, Carol also participated in performing arts groups and was a member of engineering organizations until she graduated in 1998 with a B.S. in Ocean Engineering.
Carol has fond memories of her active years. “Some of my favorite service events were the various 5K run/walk events that raise money for organizations and charities,” she said. “Being physically active has always been a big part of my life, so to do something good for my body and help a good cause always seemed like so much fun.”
While providing a good opportunity for some fitness fun, Carol claims these runs and walks also brought the sisters closer together. “Many of us would sign up and have a meeting point. That way, we could walk together, visit and dream about what OPhiA could do next. It was a great way to get to know the other sisters.”
One of Carol’s most poignant memories was a cleanup day Delta Chapter participated in at a local Ronald McDonald House. “To see some of the families and a little of what they (are) going through really touches you,” Carol said. “I cleaned silk flower arrangements that day…an act so small, but it helped to give the house a feeling of brightness (and) cleanliness. It felt good to do something that those families did not have time to do. I left there that day feeling more appreciative of my own life and health.”
These days, Carol stays busy with her career and hobbies. She works for the Shell Oil Company in the greater Houston area and is the proud aunt of two nieces and one nephew. When she isn’t working, she can often be found in a yoga class. “I go to yoga at least five times a week.” Reading is also a favorite pastime for Carol.