APO Nu Rho Alumni Newsletter
May 2015
Welcome!
Welcome to the new Nu Rho Alumni Newsletter! After the old version went on hiatus, we wanted to make sure we brought it back so that all alumni were up-to-date on the latest happenings both in Williamsburg and with our alumni around the world. Below you will find stories on what’s happening on campus, upcoming events, and big news sent in from alums like you. We will be publishing the Alumni Newsletter four times a year- at the beginning of February, May, October, and December. If you are interested in putting something in the newsletter, or keeping up with all the brothers, please like the Nu Rho Alumni Facebook Page. In order to keep receiving our newsletters, please sign up for APO Nu Rho's Alumni Email Listserv here. Enjoy!
Brothers pose at sectionals using selfie stick
Spring formal
Alumni at the APO fall tailgate
An Unbirthday Extravaganza in Support of the Healthy Beginnings Project
For this year’s philanthropy event, the brothers of Alpha Phi Omega hosted an “Un-birthday Party” celebration in collaboration with the Healthy Beginnings Project, whose mission is “to support healthy pregnancies and healthy babies through promoting healthy behaviors, education, awareness and empowerment.” The event, which took place on Sunday, April 19th, was Alice in Wonderland themed, complete with a tea party, cookie and cupcake decorating, cornhole, and other games. The brothers who came to support the event had a great time -- all proceeds will go completely to Healthy Beginnings. Sophomore Brittany Thomas reported that: “It was a really creative event that was fun for brothers and non-brothers alike!”
The Healthy Beginnings Project is an on-campus organization that works with local community detention facilities to provide pregnancy tests and give prenatal care to mothers-to-be. Any woman who tests positive for pregnancy is eligible to enroll in the Healthy Beginnings program and receive resources, and the support continues if the woman is released from jail before her due date or if she will be returning to jail after the birth of her baby. The Health Beginnings Project hopes to specifically address the link between premature, low birth weight babies and substance abuse issues by promoting healthy lifestyle choices early in the pregnancy. Recently, Healthy Beginnings has been working hard to partner with campus organizations (such as Campus Kitchens) in order to sustainably distribute diapers. Our brotherhood couldn’t be more excited to be another supporter of Healthy Beginnings. More information is available on the William and Mary website.
Sectionals
Alpha Phi Omega Sections 82/83 Conference kicked off on February 27, 2015. The Nu Rho chapter at the College of William and Mary hosted more than 80 participants from schools across Virginia for the three-day event. The theme was A Tropical Paradise, and Nu Rho designed and ordered t-shirts to celebrate it.
On Friday, the organizations gathered for dinner and the LAUNCH leadership program led by Jennifer Headman. Late-night Ghost Tours through Colonial Williamsburg, which were supposed to be led by Nu Rho brothers, could not occur due to weather complications.
Following an opening ceremony on Saturday, members of all chapters attended seminars and service activities. According to Sectionals Co-Chair and current Vice President of Inter-Chapter Relations Hannah McKiernan, membership retention and running successful chapters were topics of the conference.
In mid-afternoon on Saturday, Sections 82 and 83 gathered for a joint meeting, followed by separate meetings. That evening, Nu Rho hosted an awards banquet for all attendees where College President Taylor Reveley III spoke to the group. At the banquet, two Nu Rho brothers won section awards: Rose Richardson was given the Section Service Award and Londi Guerra received the Section Friendship Award.
“Overall, we had a very successful conference and look forward to future inter-chapter events,” said McKiernan.
Brothers Work With Heritage Humane Society
Heritage Humane Society is just one of the many projects in which APO Brothers may participate, but it is most definitely the cuddliest. Whether you are walking dogs, “socializing” with cats, or even just doing laundry, the atmosphere is always a friendly, welcome break from Swem. Heritage Humane hosts a number of events each season, including the “pet-the-puppy” fundraiser at the Law School this past April, a favorite among the brotherhood. Samantha Braver, this year’s Project Head, enjoys volunteering at Heritage because she believes “it encapsulates ’leadership, friendship, and service’ in ways that no ordinary service project can capture.” When asked her favorite part of volunteer, Samantha replied: “I love getting the chance to take the dogs out for walks because for many of them, it's a small but important reprieve in the midst of chaos.” Whether you are a dog person, a cat person, or simply want a fun place to volunteer, Heritage Humane is the perfect opportunity.
APO Alumni Networking Reception
On Thursday, May 28th, from 5:30-7:30PM, brothers and alumni are invited to connect with each other in an evening of networking. The reception will be at the Carnegie Endowment for the Peace building in DuPont circle, DC. Registration is $10 and includes materials as well as light refreshments. Attire is business casual. Following the reception, brothers and alumni are encouraged to continue getting to know each other at any of the local eateries. Link to sign up: www.wm.edu/dcmarketplace
Thursday, May 28, 2015, 06:00 PM
Carnegie Endowment for the Peace, DuPont Circle, Washington D.C.
Young Guarde Service Week
The week of June 7th is William and Mary Young Guarde Service week with service projects coordinated by every WM alumni association chapter. Brothers and alumni are encouraged to go out and engage in any of these days of service but one day will be designated specifically with an APO focus. The exact day is yet to be determined, but subscribe to the alumni listerv below if you would like more information regarding APO-specific engagement.
Sunday, Jun 7, 2015, 08:00 AM
Check with your local WM alumni association chapter
Boy Scout/Girl Scout of America Nationals Baseball Game
Come celebrate our connection to Scouting at a Nationals Game! Bring your families to engage with both APO alumni and current brothers in the DC area. This is a wonderful opportunity to reconnect. Tickets are $25. (We will need enough participation to be able to offer group-priced tickets). RSVP so that we can get a head-count here
Saturday, Jun 20, 2015, 04:00 PM
Nationals Park, South Capitol Street Southeast, D.C., DC, United States
This Year's Graduating Seniors
Logan Scharen to Megan Graham
Nicole Woodhouse to Robin Machanic
Jen Knapp to Kyle Condon
Londi Guerra to Fredy Chinchilla
Alumni Graduations:
Kathryn Bradt (Krenek): 2011 WM graduate who is graduating from the University of Richmond School of Law with plans to become a Virginia public defender
Graduating Brothers:
Brenna Anderson
Miranda Axworthy
Sarah Bennett
Ellie Berlyn
Julie Burkhardt
Marisa Ducach
Rebecca Fulp-Eickstaedt
Mary Gillespie
Amy Green
Anna Green
Londi Guerra
Sarah Holiona
Brittany Hoyle
Katie Johanson
Chase Jordan
William Joyce
Alec Lyons
Kathryn McGovern
Nicole Mendoza
Zoe Mitchell
Christopher Papas
Emily Parrish
Richa Patel
Payton Phillips
Vipin Reddy
Kelsey Renoll
Ann Rogers
Alexandra Rosenbluth
Fiona Ryan
Logan Scharen
Kate Shipman
Betsy Surma
Emily Taylor
Stephanie Till
Catherine Wise
Rebecca Youngdahl
Brothers jump for joy at A Paint Out
Brothers with the Griffin
Brothers have a blast at A Paint Out
Pledge Staff, fall 2014
Krenek Pledge Class (2.0)
Seniors on the run at spring formal
Chris Papas
Natalie Hurd
Lauren Dybel
Lauren Bomgardner
Abby MacMillan