Omicron Delta Epsilon Chapter News

The following information about chapter activities was compiled from the chapter Reporting forms that were submitted by the Faculty Advisors last Spring. If any of the information is incorrect, please notify us and we will correct it. If your school's activities do not appear here and you have some that you would like to be included, send us the information and we will include it. 

CALIFORNIA

The Alpha Eta Chapter at Whittier College held its annual Senior Awards luncheon on May 3, 2007. Faculty Advisor Gregory R. Woirol announced that Chapter president for 2007-1008 is Liubou Partnaya.

Dan Bogart, faculty advisor of the Alpha Omicron Chapter at the University of California-Irvine, announced a number of activites undertaken by the chapter. In fall of 2006, the chapter held meetings to introduce prospective members to the organization, and subsequently held  their fall initiation. They hosted special speakers, a community service event and a social event in the fall of 2006, as well. In January 2007, the chapter held an Ice Breaker to let old and new members get acquainted. In Spring 2007, several special meetings with guest speakers were held. 2007-2008 officers are Samuel Ho, president; Jack Hsu, vice-president; Jenny Kou, Secretary; and Susan Ho, Treasurer.

CONNECTICUT

Members of the Epsilon Chapter at Central Connecticut State University offered free tutoring in economics every semester for five days a week.  Faculty Advisor Dr. Ki Hoon Kim also reported that their chapter sponsored the 15th annual Japan/Korea/China Week program.  Chapter officers for 2007-2008 are Elizabeth Urbanucci, President; and Jacqueline M. Alaimo, Secretary. 

FLORIDA

The Kappa Chapter at Rollins College inducted eight new members this year.  The chapter faculty advisor is Chris Skelley. 

The Theta Chapter at the University of North Florida held a banquet for new member initiation on May 21,2006.

GEORGIA

Recent graduate and member of the Omicron Chapter at Wesleyan College in Georgia, Anne-Kathrin Witt was named recipient of the National Mortar Board Student Trust Fellowship in June 2007. The fellowship carries a $5,000 award. Faculty advisor Ihsuan Li also announced that their chapter president, Yi (Connie) Kang, was the recipient of a $1,000 scholarship to participate in the summer 2007 seminar on liberty and society held by the Institute for Humane Studies of George Mason University. Yi Kang's research paper, co-authored with Stephanie Ramirez, "Made in China: Coastal Industrial Clusters and Regional Growth," has been accepted for publication in Issues in Political Economy (forthcoming fall 2007). The chapter has created a new website listing their activities. Officers for 2007-2008 are Yi Kang, president; Nataliya Eneva, vice-president; Najwa Mohammad, secretary/treasurer; and Shreeti Raithore, technology officer.

Twenty new inductees received their ODE scrolls in the November 2006 ceremony of the Delta Chapter at the University of West Georgia, and Spring 2007 brought six new members. Faculty Advisor James H. Murphy announced 2007-2008 officers are Amanda L. Arnold, president; James Arp, vice president; James M. Jones, secretary; and Janava M. Benton, secretary.

KENTUCKY

The Gamma Chapter at Centre College reported that they held their annual induction banquet this Spring.  The Faculty Advisor is Bruce K. Johnson. 

LOUISIANA

Faculty Advisor Jonathan Pritchett reported that the Alpha Chapter at Tulane University sponsored a field trip to the New Orleans branch of the Federal Reserve.  They also had some student/faculty pizza parties.  Chapter officers are Nathan Smith, President; and Amir Ahmadi and Brooke Stephens, Vice-President. 

The Gamma Chapter at Louisiana State University created a web site including information about ODE, current members and chapter activities.  The chapter also participated at the information fairs for student organizations at LSU and they have obtained a list of eligible students of which six are expected to join this year.  The Gamma Chapter created and frequently updates a list of new economic books available at the library.  Once again, Faculty advisor Dr. R. Carter Hill sponsored the most awaited event by students and faculty in the department, the annual Chicken Roast.  This years chapter officers are Vera Tabakova, President; and Etienne Pracht, Vice-President. 

MAINE

MARYLAND

MASSACHUSETTS

The Gamma Chapter at Boston College held "Peer Advising" to help new majors plan their course selections. The Chapter held a Career Night in April 2007, opffering a panel discussion with young alums working in the Boston area about opportunities for economics majors.   The Annual Induction Dinner was held April of 2007 with guest speaker Professor Donald Cox. The chapter officers for 2007-2008 are Katie Burch and Ian Watt, co-presidents; and Lloyd Liu, treasurer.  Catherine Schneider is the Faculty Advisor. 

Supriya Sarnikar, faculty advisor of the Alpha Eta Chapter at Westfield State College, announced the induction of 11 new members on May 4, 2007. Officers for 2007-2008 are Gayle Almeida, president; and Gavin Illangakoon, vice president.

MICHIGAN

Faculty Advisor Masato Yamazaki reports that the Xi Chapter at Aquinas College is currently working on structuring their chapter with a Senior Capstone Seminar in Economics. 

2006-2007 marked the first full academic year for the Sigma Chapter at Hillsdale College. The chapter was established by Dr. Mark Steckbeck in the spring of 2006 and 12 members were initiated. In September of 2007, a welcom-back barbeque was held for ODE members, with Richard Epstein as guest speaker. In January 2007, Dr. David Paas succeeded Dr. Steckbeck as the faculty advisor. In March 2007, Justice Steven Markman of the Michigan Supreme Court was invited to give a lecture on law and economics. The Chapter recognized the first set of graduating seniors with honors in economics. Officers are Marianne Rodriguez, president; Elizabeth Harrison, vice president; Kevin Sullivan, secretary/treasurer.

NEBRASKA

In Spring 2007, the Epsilon Chapter at the University of Nebraska held a recruitment drive inviting all economics and agribusiness majors and minors to join ODE. One new member, Eric M. LeMunyan, was also elected Vice President of the chapter. The Chapter president is Megan Dozler. 

NEW JERSEY

The Rho Chapter at Richard Stockton College reported that they had a speaker from the Federal Reserve Board in April.  The Faculty Advisor is Dr. Deb Figart and the officer is Steve Kodey, President. 

NEW YORK

Faculty Advisor Thomas P. Lyons reported that the Kappa Chapter at Cornell University held its annual luncheon and induction ceremony Many 7, 2007. 2007-2008 officers are Stephen Degrow, president; Thummim Cho, vice president; Scott Reich, secretary; and Zachary Launer, treasurer. 

The Alpha Mu Chapter at Hartwick College hosted a Fall dinner/ induction ceremony and a Spring picnic.  The chapter also sponsored a trip to the New York Federal Reserve Bank.  Chapter officers are Karyn Moyer, President; Katherine Scofield, Vice-President; Yee Lam Wong, Secretary; and Nodir Adilov, Treasurer.  Carli Cochi Ficano is the Faculty Advisor. 

NORTH CAROLINA

The Lambda Chapter at Western Carolina University held their fall initation in October 2006 and new officers, elected November 2006, were Tyler Groesser, president; Susanna Sjokvist, vice-president; Whitney Clark, Secretary; and Deana Lewis, Treasurer. In Marych 2007, member Taryn Birchfield was recognized as "Outstanding Economics Student." In April 2007, the chapter presented Honors Regalia to graduating seniors. 

OHIO

Faculty Advisor Hong V. Nguyen reported that the Xi Chapter at the University of Scranton inducted ten new members this year.  Officers are Alfonse Desimone, President; Brian McNany, Vice-President; and Kristen Resch, Secretary/Treasurer.  The chapter also sponsored the Henry George Lecture by Robert Hall in the Fall and the Henry George Seminar by Marc Lieberman in the Spring.  A trip to the New York Stock Exchange was also taken in the Spring. 

PENNSYLVANIA

The Alpha Mu Chapter at King's College inducted eight new members this year.  Officers elected were Ruth Balladares, President; Sabrina Younossi, Vice-President; and Hassan Choudhury, Secretary/Treasurer.  New inductees participated in the All College Honors Convocation.  The guest Speaker was Rev. Edward Malloy.  Dr. Margarita M. Rose is the Faculty Advisor. 

The Zeta Chapter at Washington and Jefferson College organized a panel discussion, consisting of the faculty of the economics department, entitled "Life After Graduation." In April 2007, chapter members traveled to Philadelphia to meet and networ with alumni working in the area and toured the Mint and the Federal Reserve Bank. New advisor Tiffani A. Gottschall announced chapter officers are Angela Henderson, president; Zack Loether, vice president; Tyler Raspat, secretary; and Larissa Grudi, treasurer.

TEXAS

Faculty advisor Roy E. Robbins announce that new officers for 2007-2008 at the Epsilon Chapter at St. Mary's are Floyd Contreras, president; Paolo Durand, vice-president; and Cesar de Leon, Secretary/ Treasurer.

On April 10, 2007, the Phi Chapter at Trinity University held its annual induction and awards banquet. Faculty advisor Julie Carlson announced that new officers for 2007-2008 are Sarah Bradbury, president; and Rachael Branyan, vice president.

UTAH

The Epsilon Chapter at Westminster College conducted a cost-benefit analysis of the proposed Real Soccer Stadium that would use publc funds, concluding that the use of public funds made sense. Faculty advisor John Watkins announced that another cost-benefit analysis is underway regarding whether Westminster College should move its aviation facilities from Salt Lake International Airport to Tooele airport. The chapter wrote a public opinion piece in the Salt Lake Tribune that created some controversy, including inquiries from state legislators and county officials. Officers for 2007-2008 are Robert Denny, president; Chris Gibbs, vice-president; and Caitlin Collins, Secretary.

On April 10, 2007, the Phi Chapter at Trinity University held its annual induction and awards banquet. Faculty advisor Julie Carlson announced that new officers for 2007-2008 are Sarah Bradbury, president; and Rachael Branyan, vice president.

VIRGINIA

Members of the Beta Chapter at Mary Washington College held a fund-raiser selling Economic Department t-shirts.  Faculty Advisor Dr. Robert Rycroft also reported that the chapter arranged and paid for a motivational speaker to speak at one of the elementary schools and arranged an "Investment Seminar" for Mary Washington students and faculty.  Chapter officers are Brian Sweet, President; Melissa Fallen, Vice-President; and Sam Morrison, Secretary/Treasurer. 

Faculty Advisor Travis Taylor announced that thier induction ceremony dinner was held May 2, 2007. Officers for 2007-2008 for the Sigma Chapter at Christopher Newport University are Jeffrey Pfeiffer, president; Erin Phillips, vice-president; and Angela Soo Shin, Treasurer and Secretary.

WISCONSIN

The Theta Chapter at the University of Wisconsin in Eau Claire reported that they had a merger with SEA, the Student Economics Association.  They held biweekly chapter meetings.  The chapter also sponsored Honors Week faculty debate on what to do with the Budget Surplus and co-sponsored receptions for visiting economists Heidi Hartmann and Mike Martin.  Student/faculty picnics were held in October 1998 and May 1999.  Chapter officers are Jake Bergner, President; Emily Williamson, Vice-President; John Northup, Secretary; and Dan Johnson, Treasurer.  Dr. Duane B. Oyen is the Faculty Advisor.