Pi Omega Chapter History

Pi Omega Chapter was chartered at Danville Area Community College in 1967.  It has had various Chapter advisors through the year, including William Langis, Ken Leisch, Donna Martin, Tom Solon, Mary Coffman, Greg Holden, and currently Lori Garrett.  The chapter's history is sketchy prior to 2001, however the chapter did receive an award from the Illinois Community College Board in 1994.  This current record begins with Ms. Garrett's tenure starting in the Spring of 2001.  You can either scroll back through the complete chapter history, or click on the specific term you wish to view.

Fall 2004
Spring 2004
Fall 2003
Spring 2003
Fall 2002
Summer 2002
Spring 2002
Fall 2001
Spring 2001
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Spring 2005:

Wednesday, February 2:  American Red Cross Blood Drive.

Saturday, Feb. 5 through Sunday, Feb. 6th:  Fellowshipalooza,   There were tons of fun activities all afternoon and all night, and an indoor camp-out.

Monday, February 7:  Eagle Day.   This event is hosted by Mr. Hoagland and we assist each year.  There are two shows put on by the World Bird Sanctuary, and there will be over 1000 areas schoolchildren on hand.  It is free and open to the public.  The educational show features numerous birds of prey, some of which are flown over the crowd.

Tuesday, February 8:  Academic Challenge.  High school students from many districts take tests and compete for awards as part of this national program.  Members checked in the teams as they arrived, took group photos, and directed the guests through the building,  and helped at lunchtime. Our own Matt Frost was DJ for the day. We also had a table set up during lunch to promote Phi Theta Kappa.

Friday, April 1:  Spring Induction Ceremony.  Guest speakers were motivational speaker Aya Fubara Eneli and DACC President Dr. Alice Marie Jacobs.

Thursday, April 7:  Ag Day:  We assisted with this annual event put on by the DAC Ag Club.  We helped direct traffic and conduct tours, members dressed as SpotLess the Keep Vermilion County Beautiful Dalmatian mascot, and handed out items to the children.

Saturday, April 9:  Relay for Life street corner collection.  All day.

Tuesday, April 12 through Sunday, April 17th:  International Convention, Dallas, Texas.  Attended Regional Officer Academy, Chapter Officer Academy, and Advisor Preconference; Advisor Garrett presented an Educational Forum on recruiting for small chapters; Hope Albin and Matt Frost presented on fundraising for Relay for Life (Phiona Phlamingo attended as well). As Regional Secretary Chapter, Nathan Gray participated onstage with the Regional Officer Choir.  Pi Omega gained the following recognitions:

• Pinnacle Continued Excellence Award.  This is awarded to chapters who have increased their annual member inductions by at least 10% for three consecutive years.
• Fellowship Hallmark. This is the first time we have received one of the four main hallmark awards.  Over 500 chapters competed, and we were in the top 10, placing us in the top 2% overall for this hallmark! This was also the last year this award is being presented.
• Advisor Paragon Award for Advisor Garrett for the third consecutive year.
• Distinguished Chapter.  This marks three out of 4 years that we have received this award.  This means we were selected as one of the top 30 chapters overall for the entire Hallmark Award Competition.
• Top 25 chapter for the Hallmark of Service
• Top 25 Chapter for the Hallmark of Fellowship
• Top 100 Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa.

Friday, April 29:  Arbor Day tree planting:  We hosted a tree planting and cosponsored a weeping crab tree with the Horticulture Department; the tree was planted by the Tech building and students from the DACC Child Care Center attended.  Guest speakers were Danville Mayor Scott Eisenhauer, DACC President Jacob, Professor John Hoagland, and VP Ruth Molokwu.

Friday, May 20:  Graduation recognition.  Graduating members received their stoles and seals during graduation rehearsal.

Saturday, May 21:  Adopt-a-Highway.  Participants included Advisor Garrett, Kyle Dietz, Matt Frost, Katrina Smith, Hope Albin, Jim and Nick Porter, Andrea Dines, Mary Ann Koonce, alumni members Kelly Garrett and Rachel Walker, Nathan Gray, Theresa Kelly, Mary Roberts, Mandice Connor, and Mr. Hoagland.

May 14-15:  Vermilion County Relay for Life:  Team DACC--Phi Theta Kappa raised $1600 for the American Cancer Society's
Relay for Life, placing us in the bronze level for donations, for which we received pins.  Our team leaders were:

• Hope Albin, Chair of Publicity and many other things she never volunteered for, and far too active Steering Committee member.
• Matt Frost, Chair of Team Recruitment, active Steering Committee member, and Pi Omega's Team Captain.   Matt stayed true to his vow and stayed on the track walking for the entire 14 hours.  He took only two essential mini-breaks and he walked extra at the end to cover those moments.
• Barbara Wright, Chair of Luminarias and very active Steering Committee member who also secured the Survivors Tent.
• Ruth Molokwu, who also participated on the Steering Committee and at the event.
• Officers Janneth Herrera and Nathan Gray, who joined us for the event.
• Sister members Stephanie and Kelly Garrett, and alumni member Rachel Walker, who joined us at the event.
• Member Robin Potts who helped direct Phiona Phlamingo around campus for us.
• Former President Shelley Phillips who attended as part of another team.
• Hope's fiancee, Colby, who attended the entire event and provided a back-up tent that stayed put, and her little brother, Noah, who helped keep Matt going.
• John Hoagland for procuring and removing the tents, attending the event, and all of his other duties "as assigned."

June 3-5:  Illinois Regional Leadership Conference.  Quincy, Illinois. Attended by Hope Albin, Ruth Molokwu, Matt Frost, and Nathan Gray. Awards received included:

• Pinnacle Gold Chapter certificate, for increasing our new member inductions by at least 10% over the previous year for three years in a row.  This is only the second year this has been awarded, and we received it both years.
• Five-Star Chapter certificate.  This is the highest level of development a chapter can obtain and shows that we are adhering to the mission and goals of this     International Society.  Pi Omega went from 0 stars to 5 stars in an unprecedented 10 months back in 2001 when we reactivated, and we have reachieved Five Star status each year since then.
• Mary Anne Player Appreciation Award for hosting the 2004 Illinois Regional Convention.
• Outstanding Chapter Officer Award for VP of Scholarship Matt Frost.  He is one of only 5 officers in the state receiving this honor.
• Illinois Region's 2004-2005 Most Distinguished Chapter!  We were selected as the state's top chapter overall.  This is a first for Pi Omega and is quite an honor.
• Illinois Region's 2004-2005 Most Distinguished Chapter Advisor Award to Advisor Garrett.  This is the second year in a row I have been honored by this highest advisor award.  I thank you all for your support and thank Jess Pierce for writing my nomination and Matt Frost for his very kind let

July 1-2 (6 AM to midnight):  Festival of Tees.  This was hosted by Provena United Samaritans Medical Center Foundation and the proceeds benefited the
Provena USMC Regional Cancer Center. It was held at Turtle Run Golf Course.  The event included a $1 million hole-in-one contest, golf tournament, entertainment stage, fireworks, Jr. golf competition, golf exhibitors, clinics, and contests, Kids Central, swimming, balloon rally, garden party and exhibit, Liberty walk and run, raffle, and lots of food and fun.  Participants included Stephanie and Kelly Garrett, Hope Albin, Mary Roberson, Robert Zellers.

July 2:  Adopt-a-Highway litter pick up.    Participants included alumnus Kelly Garrett, Stephanie Garrett, Emily Carter, Mary Roberson, Advisor Garrett, John Hoagland, Kyle Jones, Nathan Gray, Katrina Smith, Robert Zellers, and friends Erin Smith, Janell Schmidt, Brandice.

July 2:  Chapter Picnic.Kickapoo State Park.  Attended by Ruth, Hope, Nathan, Chad Harden, and Katrina Smith.  Held a chapter meeting and discussed upcoming events and officer elections.

Fall 2004:

Monday, September 20:  Chapter meeting

Throughout September: Voter Registration Drive  Throughout September, Phi Theta Kappa, in partnership with Project Vote Smart, conducted a drive to encourage students, staff, and faculty to register to vote.  We promoted online voter's registration at various times in computer labs.  We hung posters.  We added links to VoteSmart.org and RocktheVote.com to our website, ran articles in the college newsletter, and emailed DACC employees.  We were asked by the college to make this an annual voters drive.

Tuesday, September 28:   Satellite Seminar 1-- "(Mis)understanding History: Shaping Modern Myth and Popular Values"

Wednesday, September 29.  DACC Blood Drive.  Members registered donors and fed them afterwards.  Some were donors.

Friday, October 1:  Chapter Weenie Roast  We had an all-chapter, family and friends weenie roast at John Hoagland's farm

Saturday, October 2.  Light the Night Walk.  This annual event is the major fundraiser for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, and proceeds fund research for a cure for blood-related cancers. It is held 40 miles from Danville.  We made this a Regional Initiative, challenging all chapters in Illinois to attend our or their own walk.  We had a team of 8 and raised ~$800. We also lined up a speaker for our cancer panel at our regional convention that we are hosting.

Monday, October 4:  Chapter meeting. 11:30, room 210 Mary Miller.

Tuesday, October 12:   Satellite Seminar 2-- "Creating and Marketing Youth: Youth Music and Culture in 20th Century America"

Friday, October 15:  National Mammogram Day.
As last year, we made pink ribbon pins in advance and distributed them to all campus mailboxes. We also ran an article in the college newsletter.  In addition, throughout the month of October, breast cancer awareness month, we launched email campaigns informing the college community and our friends and families about:

• The breast cancer stamps from the postal service (by law, 70 percent of the net amount raised is given to the National Institutes of Health and 30 percent is given to the Medical Research Program at the Department of Defense),
• Breast cancer M&Ms (50 cents from each bag sold was donated to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation), and
• the breast cancer site, which tallies clicks daily and funds free mammograms to women of need based on the number of clicks recevied.  We have a direct link from our chapter home page to this website.

Friday, October 15:  Fall Induction Ceremony.  Guest speakers were DACC College President Dr. Alice Marie Jacobs and former Phi Theta Kappa International President Warren Jackson.

Monday, October 18:  Chapter meeting. 11:30, room 210 Mary Miller.

Saturday, October 23:  Adopt-a-Highway Litter Pick-up.

Tuesday, October 26:   Satellite Seminar 3-- "The Empire of Images: Growing Up Male and Female in a World Dominated By Popular Culture"

Tuesday, October 26:  Monicals Fundraiser for Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
On this day, 20% of all sales at this pizza restaurant were donated to Leukemia and Lymphoma Society if patrons mentioned the special.  Members ate dinner there and promoted the event on campus.

Friday, October 29 - Sunday, October 31.  2004 Illinois Regional Convention HERE!  As the current Regional President Chapter, we hosted this year's Regional Convention. A total of 171 members and 26 advisors from 32 chapters made the trip. Counting all participants, we hosted 220 people for this huge event.   Phi Theta Kappa Board Member, Dr. Virginia Stahl, and Division III International Vice President Brandon Marsh attended.  We also brought in leaders of local organizations to discuss our roles with them in hopes of giving attendees more implementation ideas upon their return home.  Friday evening spotlighted Leadership, with a banquet, DACC Foundation Director Sarah Robison and Danville Mayor Scott Eisenhauer speaking.  DACC Board member Sandy Randall welcomed us and Board Chairperson Vickie Miller and her husband attended, Regional officer candidates gave their campaign presentations.  We also had a guest appearance from Spot Less, the giant Dalmatian mascot for Keep Vermilion County Beautiful, along with their director, Lynn Wolgamot, who discussed Pi Omega's leadership with that organization, through Adopt-a-Highway and Adopt-a-Spot programs, Great American Cleanup, and attending KVCB Board meetings.  We capped the night with some culture from the past--a sock hop with Captain Rat and the Blind Rivets, hula hoop contests, bubble-gum blowing contests, and a paddle ball competition Saturday morning's focus was on culture.  Joyce DeBoer, Director of Vermilion County I Sing the Body Electric opened by speaking about our participation with that program and explaining the art exhibit all around the convention area.  It was all original art from area high school students focusing on major lifestyle concerns of their peers.  Independent writer/actor/director/producer Robin Peters was our featured speaker and he let us screen his first project, "Fab 1:  John Lennon's Revolution," a documentary examining Lennon's influence on modern American music and including extensive celebrity interviews.  Afterwards, Robin stayed for one of our many break-out sessions.  We had a total of three rounds of breakouts.  During break and lunch, we had about 20 antique cars on hand from the Illiana Antique Auto Club for a classic car show.  The afternoon focused on Service. We started with Laura Williams, Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters, discussing our role with them, and doing a break out session.  Next, 2004 Faculty Scholar Johnna Atkinson-Bigelow reprised her one-woman performance that debuted at the 2004 International Convention.  That was followed by a panel discussion by 4 cancer survivors--2 female breast cancer survivors, 1 young male lymphoma survivor, and one male testicular cancer survivor.  They each discussed their own personal experience and what did and did not work for them in terms of others supporting them.  Our goal was to inform the attendees on how to be more compassionate and supportive.  That was followed by representatives from the American Cancer Society and Leukemia and Lymphoma Society who discussed volunteer opportunities for members.  The evening was about Fellowship.  After a barbecue dinner, we had a performance by DACC's Acting I class in which Mrs. Claus was interviewing job applicants, all prominent celebrities, to replace the missing-in-action Santa.  That was followed by a pumpkin-decorating contest, Halloween costume contest, professional storyteller Kim Sheahan at a bonfire, apple cider pressing demonstration, an old-fashioned popcorn wagon, and a movie marathon.  We also had a Regional Officer Candidate forum.  There were also Phi Theta Kappa giveaways all evening.  Sunday was a brief session with tons of giveaways, presentations from International Headquarters, announcements from our Regional Coordinator, and finally the announcement of the new Illinois Regional Officers.  Pi Omega is the new Illinois Regional Secretary.  Our Regional Service Project was collecting donations of items for the Center for Children's Services.

November 3:Diversity trip.
Members joined the Diversity Team for a trip to Indianapolis to hear the Brown sisters (Brown vs. Board of Education) discuss life in segregated America and how different the culture was, how the legal case came about, their dad's role in fighting it, and how culture has changed yet society still resists.

Tuesday, November 9:   Satellite Seminar 4-- "Courting Disaster? Changing Values about Love, Sex and Marriage"

November 13-17:Festival of Trees.
Big Brothers Big Sisters (with whom we partner) sought volunteers to help cover this wonderful event. Volunteer opportunities included dressing as a tree or elf and interacting with kids, working in the candy shop, selling candies, working in the bakery, baking Gingerbread men, checking in volunteers, taking or selling tickets at the door, lead groups of kids and teachers through the Civic Center, setting up displays. Several members volunteered.  Proceeds for this go to.....

Monday, November 15:  Chapter meeting. 11:30, room 210 Mary Miller.

Tuesday, November 16:   Satellite Seminar 5-- "Sports in Popular Culture: Are We Winning or Losing?"

Thursday, November 18:  Great American Smokeout.
This is an annual event sponsored by the American Cancer Society, with whom we partner.  Smokers were encouraged to stop smoking for a 24-hour period.  We promoted this event with posters and "survival kits" to help get them through the day.  They were loaded with information, candy, gum, toys, and encouragement. We also borrowed from the Respiratory Care Program a graphic 3-D display showing the effects of smoking on the lungs, and displayed two real lungs--one with severe emphysema and one with lung cancer .  This was held in the Student Union over four hours.

Friday, November 19:  Phi Theta Kappa Founders Day.
In honor of Founders Day, we gave all DACC employees a small flyers briefing explaining what Phi Theta Kappa is, Dr.Mosal's tradition of the hug, and thanking them for all they do to support our chapter and our academic efforts, and we taped a Hershey's "Hugs" candy to it..

Saturday, November 20:  DACC Talent Show for ACS. This was organized and hosted by Chapter Secretary, Hope Albin, as an independent project for the DACC Scholars Program.  Chapter members assisted with set-up, ticket sales, and performing.  The event featured numerous musical and dramatic performances, including a community member battling cancer a second time who did an interpretive dance and discussed her challenges and determination.  The event netted ~$300 for the American Cancer Society.

Friday, December 10:  Game Night with Alpha Delta Eta
By invitation, members drove for two hours to Kankakee to join them for game night and some fellowship.

Saturday, December 11:  Regional Officer meeting.
Attended by our Regional Officer delegate, Nathan Gray, and VP of Scholarship, Matt Frost.  Held at Morraine Valley College, Palos Hills, Illinois. Newly-elected regional officers (we are Regional Secretary) planned upcoming events and initiatives, learned about the new Five-Star Program, and got to know each other for the weekend.

Saturday, December 11:  DACC Family Holiday Party.
DACC is desperately in need of volunteers for the Family Holiday party.  The party is on Saturday, December 11, 2004 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The party is for the children of DACC employees.  There will be caroling at the beginning, then Santa makes his entrance, then they break off into groups to talk with Santa, make crafts, decorate gingerbread cookies and play games.  The children divide up and visit each station.  They need volunteers in the craft room, game room and someone to take pictures of the kids with Santa.  This is such a worthwhile and fun event.  The children have such a good time and it is fun to watch them.
Please come and have a great time and enjoy a yummy gingerbread cookie.

Throughout December: Operation Santa.
The DACC staff do a collection drive each year for children of needy families, using the Angel Tree concept.  This year, as last, the college also requested donations for the women and older children at the local battered woman's shelter.  Our chapter donated several boxes of items to this cause.

Monday, December 13:  Relay for Life Planning Meeting.
One member serves on the Relay for Life Steering Committee and another is Recruitment  Chair and Team Captain, and another is Publicity Chair and Logistics Chair.  All three are attending regular meetings to plan this year's event.

Friday, December 17:  Operation Paperback.
We collected good quality used paperbacks from the community to send to military personnel overseas.  Operation Paperback provides stickers and shipping label templates.  Members sorted books, labeled and packed them, and shipped three boxes to troops in Iraq. We also packed candy and a letter thanking them for their service to our country.

Saturday, December 18:  Salvation Army Bell Ringing.
This will be an all day event--store location to be determined shortly.  We do this each year and members always have a blast, regardless of the weather.  The Salvation Army provides a wide array of charitable services each year, and this is their biggest fund drive.  They use volunteers whenever possible because they have to pay their own people.  Not only do we save them money (which then goes directly into their services), but volunteers almost always raise more money than paid employees because we have more spirit!  Please contact Janneth and let her know when you are available for an hour or two that day.  Most people that volunteer early have such a good time that they stay long after their shift ends.  They have been know to break into spontaneous song and dance....
Please take this opportunity to do something to benefit those less fortunate at this holiday season.
 

Friday, December 31:  First Night Danville Celebration.
We were invited to serve on the planning and volunteer committees for this first-ever event. The committee included Danville city and business leaders, high shcool groups, and area civic organizations, and was cosponsored by Prairie Center Health Systems and Vermilion Advantage.   Click here for event details.  Officers were involved in the planning, attending 15  meetings since July 1.  We also helped promote it on campus, an officer volunteered at the event, and other members attended.  This was an alcohol-free all-ages and family event offered as an alternative celebration for New Year's Eve.  The focus was on the arts, featuring live entertainment such as various types of music,art exhibits, ice sculpting, storytelling, childrens crafts, and a classic movie, "Broadway:  The Golden Age."  A time capsule was buried and fireworks rang in the new year.

Saturday, January 8:  Phi Theta Kappa on the Road Trip to Chicago.
Officers drove 3 hours to Chicago to meet members from Highland (Nu Mu) and Elgin (Rho Kappa) to visit some of Chris Epting's popular culture landmarks.  They visited Wrigly Field and the site of John Dillinger's death, and another site that was an empty lot.

Summer 2004:
June 4 to Sunday, June 6:  Regional Leadership Conference.
Hosted by Chi Upsilon Chapter, McHenry County College, Crystal Lake, IL.  This is a major regional event at which regional awards are presented.  We received the following honors:  Five Star Chapter, Leadership Hallmark, Fellowship Hallmark, Outstanding Chapter Officer--Laurie Little, Honorable Mention medallion--Donna Davis, Most Distinguished CHapter Advisor--Lori Garrett.

Thursday, June 17:  HALO Project House painting with DACC Administration.
Some members joined college administration to paint a neighborhood house through the HALO project program.

Tuesday, June 22:  Board of Trustees Meeting.  Pi Omega was invited by Dr. Jacobs to attend this month's DACC Board of Trustees meeting at which we were recognized for our international and regional awards.

June 26 - July 3:International Honors Institute.
UCLA.  Advisor Garrett was a 2004 Faculty Scholar.  President Laurie Little attended on a Regional scholarship. They participated in this in-depth study of the International Honors Topic and brought ideas back to implement at home.

July 1:  First Night Steering Committee Meeting.
We were contacted and asked for assistance with this new initiative.  Shelley Phillips and Mikel Davis attended.

July 7: Adopt-a-Highway Trash Pickup
Members were joined by DACC faculty and college president Dr. Alice Marie Jacobs.

Thursday, July 15 through Sunday, July 18:  Regional Honors Institute.    Contact Laurie Little (little@k-inc.com)
Illinois Central College, East Peoria.  Details to come.

July 10: Adopt-a-Highway.
We were joined by DACC President Dr. Alice Marie Jacobs.

July 20 and 27: Officer Academy.
Pi Omega's first officer training academy. (8 hours of training).

July 27:  Board of Trustees Meeting.
Dr. Jacobs presented us with a certificate of recognition from Headquarters for our participation in Project Graduation.

Spring 2004:

February 2:  Chapter Meeting.    12:30, Room 172 MMC.

February 4:  Blood Drive. 10 AM to 2 PM, Copper Penny Room, downstairs Lincoln Hall.  Volunteers greeted and checked in donors; some donated blood.

February 4 to February 8:  Faculty Scholars Conference.Lori went to the Center for Excellence, Jackson, MS for the Faculty Scholars Conference and in-depth training for the 2004-2006 International Honors Topic, Popular Culture:  Shaping and Reflecting Who We Are."

February 9:  Eagle Day.    The World Bird Sanctuary brought its bird of prey show to DACC for two performances at 10 AM and 12:30.  The Science Division hosted around 1000 fourth graders, other children, and adults.  The program featured several birds, including owls, hawks, and eagles, and some were flown over the crowd.  We assisted with seating and crowd control at this educational event.

February 9:  Keep Vermilion County Beautiful Board Meeting.Attended by Laurie Little to see what upcoming projects are available for us.

February 10:  Academic Challenge.    Each year, more than 6,000 students from over 575 high schools, participate in academic contests in Illinois.   DACC is an official testing site.  Volunteers helped check in the school teams from 8:30 to 10:00, ran exams from classrooms to the scoring room, and helped serve lunch.  We  also had a promotional table set up to recruit future members for our chapter.

February 11:  Officer Meeting.    4:30, Room 186 MMC.

February 18:  Chapter Meeting.    4:30 PM Room 186 MMC.

February 20:  Hallmark submissions due at the Center for Excellence.

February 25:  Officer Meeting.    4:30, Room 186 MMC.

March 1:  Chapter Meeting.    12:30, Room 172 MMC.

March 8:  New Student Orientation.    Contact Laurie Little (little@k-inc.com)
12:30 to 1:20, Room 172 Mary Miller.

March 10:  Officer Meeting.    4:30, Room 186 MMC.

March 13:

Adopt-a-Highway.This was our first Adopt-a-Highway cleanup of the year.  11 members donated a total of 24 hours to the first litter pickup after winter.

Bowl for Kids' Sake.    This is the biggest fundraiser for Big Brothers Big SIsters, with whom we partner.  We entered two teams of bowlers!  The goal is to raise money for this wonderful organization that matches an adult with a youth who has a troubled or unstable home life.  The "bigs" are role models and mentors.   We bowled for a two-hour period.

March 17:  New Member Orientation.    4:30, Room 186 MMC.

March 18 to 20:  NJCAA Basketball Tournament.    Members assisted with various tasks throughout the tournament and President Little and VP Connie Page appeared as SpotLess, handing out litter bags, pencils, etc., promoting conservation and recycling.

March 24:  Officer Meeting.    4:30, Room 186 MMC.

March 25:  Ag Day.   This annual event brings hundreds of people from throughout the area to campus.  Craig Potter organizes it, and Pi Omega always helps with directing traffic for parking (school groups), pedestrian traffic flow, tour guides to take children's' groups to the various displays, and miscellaneous tasks.  We assisted the Ag Club and DACC personnel.  President Little appeared as SpotLess.

Friday, March 26:  Our Spring Induction Ceremony and reception. Induction ceremony:  All members who have not been through an induction ceremony were invited to participate.  Members decorated and helped with setup, helped with food line, and cleanup.

March 31:  Pre-conference events at International Convention.    Advisor Garrett attended the Advisors Preconference, President Little attended the Regional Officer Academy, Member Donna Davis attended the Chapter Officer Academy.

April 1 to Sunday, April 4:  2004 International Convention.    Laurie Little presided over the Regional Meeting, where we launched our Sister Chapter and Chapter Mentoring Programs.  Sister Chapter Program will match each chapter with another, and that chapter with yet another, with an effort to match chapters who are not near neighbors.  The purpose is to increase communication throughout the region and bridge the gap between Chicago-area chapters and the other half throughout the state.  Chapter Mentoring Program provides a means for matching well seasoned, successful chapters with upcoming, reorganizing, or less active chapters to help provide guidance so all chapters can gain skills/knowledge needed to become successful.  Both programs are designed to improve Illinois' success and strengthen our efforts through unity.  As Regional President Delegate, Laurie Little also was the Illinois Region flag bearer during the Parade of Flags and took part in a choral event on-stage with all Regional Officers.  She conducted two Illinois Regional Officer meetings while at the convention, and advisor Garrett attended the first Illinois Advisory Committee meeting and was asked to develop a workshop on Honors Institute and becoming a Faculty Scholar.

Wednesday, April 14:  Officer Meeting.    4:30, Room 186 MMC.

Saturday, April 17:  Relay for Life street corner collections.
9 AM and 4 PM at the corner of Logan & Fairchild, in Danville, to collect money from drivers for our Relay for Life Team.  We raised almost $700.

Saturday, April 17:   All Chapter Weenie Roast.
John Hoagland's farm.  This event is for all chapter members, their families, and significant others.  Weenies, buns, condiments, and sodas were provided by Advisor Garrett.  Attendees each brought a dish to share with the group. The farm provides a lovely, peaceful setting, and we had a big bonfire going, in honor of the convention there, "Ignite the Fire Within.".  This event was planned so new and current members could get to know each other, and to celebrate Pi Omega's success at the International Convention.  We held a chapter meeting as well.

Monday, April 19th:  Spot Less at the Mall.
President Little was Keep Vermilion County Beautiful's mascot, Spot Less, the giant Dalmatian, from 9:30 AM to 2 PM.  Her assistant helped guide her and pass out items to children in the crowd.  This is a lot of fun--children love this pooch--and the message is critical--conservation and anti-littering.

Tuesday, April 20:Student housing items assistance
The college requested donations to assist students in temporary student housing.  Members rallied and donated boxes of household items and clothes.

Tuesday, April 20:  Phi Theta Kappa/ICCB Student Advisory Committee/All-Illinois Recognition Banquet in Springfield.
6 to 9 PM at the Northfield Inn Suites, Springfield, Illinois.  Our All-Illinois Academic Team members, Philip Mason and Chris Denton, were recognized.  CHris was also recognized for serving on the ICCB Student Advisory Committee and the Awards Committee.  Advisor Garrett was recognized as a member of the 2004 Illinois All-Advisor Team.  Dean of Student Services, Dr. Dalton and Advisor Garrett, President Laurie Little, and Vice President Connie Page attended.

Wednesday, April 21:  Student Lobby Day.
Springfield, Illinois.  Advisor Garrett, officers Laurie Little and Connie Page, and member Chris Denton and Kelly Garrett, and another student were joined by Dean of Student Services Dr. Dalton and Dr. Chuck Hantz, Political Science instructor.  We met with six legislators to discuss our concerns over a possible shift in state equalization funds to help assist City Colleges of Chicago at the expense of 27 other community colleges.  From this, we launched a campus-wide petition drive and letter-writing campaign, at the request of the legislators and our college president.  Political science students turned this over to Pi Omega.  Petitions were sent to all DACC personnel and displayed by members during Relay for Life sales.

Friday, April 23:  2004-2005 Chapter Officer Candidate profiles due.

Saturday, April 24: Art project judging for "I Sing the Body Electric"
Chapter VP Philip Mason interned with this terrific project all year and helped for the event.  Shelly Phillips and Barb Wright also helped, and Advisor Garrett was a judge.  This program allows high school students to use art to promote healthy lifestyle choices (read more at the end of this list).  The students' works are displayed in an annual show, and Phi Theta Kappa assists.

Saturday, April 24:  "Great American Cleanup"
For this annual event, which this year coincided with IDOT's statewide Adopt-a-Highway pickup, we did our usual Adopt-a-Highway litter pickup.  This activity is in support of the Great American Cleanup, sponsored by Keep America Beautiful.  We help represent the college through an alliance with the Keep Vermilion County Beautiful Committee. Some members did this while others assisted with I Sing the Body Electric.

Monday, April 26 - Friday, April 30:   Pi Omega Officer Elections.

Wednesday, April 28:  Officer Meeting.    4:30, Room 186 MMC.

Thursday, April 29:  Arbor Day Tree Planting Ceremony.
Meade Elementary School, 11:30 AM.  We have done this each year except 2003 (rained out).  We conducted an Arbor Day tree planting ceremony with the fifth-grade classes. Dr. Jacobs and Mayor Scott Eisenhauer were our special guests.  Advisor Garrett donated the Sargeant Crab tree.   Both local newspapers sent photographers.

Thursday, April 29:  Science Extravaganza
Members assisted with this project in which 185 5th graders came to the DACC Science Department for a morning of science exploration through hands-on activities from many disciplines.  This is organized by an instructor, and members assist with set-up, act as guides, and assist with the various activities.

Saturday, May 1:   Parkland College Community Festival.
Laurie Little and Heather Tabels spent the day assisting Parkland, since we are mentoring them.  They were not organized so we spent considerable time offering tips and advice up front, and invited other chapters from throughout the region to assist, although none showed up.

Monday, May 3:  Chapter Meeting.   12:30, Room 173 MMC.

Thursday, May 6:Meade Park Elementary School Science Fair.
Members joined DACC faculty by invitation to assist with the judging of this science fair at our neighborhood elementary school.

April 13 through May 17:   Relay For Life Sales on Campus. We sold luminaria for $5 and paper stars for $1 at tables set up in each campus building.

Phiona Phlamingo:  A 4+ foot tall stuffed flamingo, wearing a Relay tshirt , lei, and peace sign necklace, roamed the campus spreading the message about Relay and collecting donations.  She found her way into various offices, starting with Dr. Jacobs, requesting time to discuss Relay for Life.  If the recipient already supported Relay, as evidenced by a $5 donation, she would go to someone else to spread the word.  For $10, they could determine where she went next.  If they chose not to donate, she would stay for a few days before moving on.

May 7:  Kiss for a Cure.  This was our first Kiss a Pig Contest.  Contestants were:

• DACC President Dr. Alice Marie Jacobs
• Math/Science Division Dean Janet Redenbaugh
• Liberal Arts Division Dean Lily Siu
• Girls BBall coach. Business instructor Lyle Hicks
• Business instructor Stve Downing
• Rhetoric instructor Missy Gouty
• Math/Science Lead instructor Craig Potter
• Biology instructor John Hoagland
• Student Diversity Advocate Carla Boyd
• Director of Campus Services Brad Weaver
• Director of Scholars Programs/Biology instructor Lori Garrett

May 19:  Catch Ya @ DACC Radio Program
5:30, WDAN.  Advisor Lori and Chapter President Laurie discussed Pi Omega's two big upsoming events: Project Graduation, and Relay for Life.

May 20:  Honors Day Program
Pi Omega Chapter was recognized by Dr. Jacobs during the Honors Program.  We were presented with our certificates for Top 25 Chapter in the Hallmark of Scholarship, Top 25 Chapter in the Hallmark of Leadership, and Top 100 Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa.

May 21: Graduation Reception, Gold Stole Presentation, Graduation Rehearsal, Project Graduation, and Commencement.

• Graduation Rehearsal and Gold Stole Presentation.  Pi Omega members were presented with their gold stoles at this event.

• Project Graduation.  Feed a Body, Feed a Mind.  We asked all members, all graduates, and their guests to donate a nonperishable food item or a children's book at the Commencement ceremony.  We also asked area high schools to participate at their own graduations.  Schlarman HS National Honor Society did.  Food items were donated to the Danville YWCA's Domestic Violence Shelter; books were donated to the Readers' Route, which promotes family literacy.

May 25:  Board of Trustees Meeting.  Advisor Garrett and member Chris Denton joined a member of the Political Affairs Club to report on our experience in April at Student Lobby Day in Springfield.  We also discussed our efforts on behalf of the college at fighting any shift in state equalization funds to bail out one group of community colleges at the expense of many others, including DACC.  Advisor Garrett was approached by members of the Political Affairs Club to help with a petition drive.  She rewrote the petition and circulated it widely around campus, receiving over 500 signatures in a week .  Petitions were mailed to all members of the state House Appropriations Committee on Higher Education, to the Governor, and to our own legislators with whom we had visited at Student Lobby Day.

Fall 2003:

August 26, 2003: DACC Board Meeting.  Chapter President Kat Armstrong was recognized at the Board Meeting for being awarded a $1000 Coca-Cola Scholarship.

August 27, 2003. Officer Meeting.   4:30, Mary Miller 2nd floor Study Room.

September 6, 2003. Westville Labor Day Parade.
Pi Omega's offices (except Jess)  joined Lori and Mr. Hoagland, other faculty, and DACC President Jacobs.

September 6, 2003 evening.  Weenie roast at John Hoagland's farm.
Chapter Advisor Garrett and John Hoagland hosted this all chapter, family, and friends weenie roast.  14 members and a total of 40 people came out.

September 13, 2003.  Light the Night Walk.  Urbana.  We helped "Light The Night" to find a cure for blood-related cancers.  We made this a Regional Initiative, challenging all chapters to attend our or their own walk.  Cancer patients and survivors carried white illuminated balloons, supporters carried red illuminated balloons in a parade of flickering lights to commemorate those lives touched by cancer and celebrate survivorship. This the the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's largest  fundraiser of the year. Photos of the group were taken--we had 10 participants.  Lori, Chris, and Philip were in a photo on the front page of the News-Gazette the following day.

September 30, 2003.   Honors Satellite Seminar.  6:30-7:30 PM, Room 181 Mary Miller Center
Topic:  "America's Health Care System: How Good Is It and How Is It Changing?
Presenter: Dr. Arnold S. Relman

October 7, 2003.   College Day.
Mary Miller center.  We staffed a table at the west entrance for recruitment and visibility.

October 7, 2003.   Orientation.    4:30 PM, Room 181 Mary Miller Center.
We held a chapter orientation for all prospective members, new members, and any members who would missed out before or would like a refresher.

October 8, 2003.   Can recycling.    1:30, Student Union
Members sorted cans for recycling and removed tabs to be donated through Georgetown schools to the Ronald McDonald House for families whose children are undergoing hospital.

October 14, 2003.   Honors Satellite Seminar.   6:30-7:30 PM.  Room 181 Mary Miller Center
Topic:  "The Ethical Frontiers of Biomedicine "
Presenter:  Dr. Vicki Lachman

October 17, 2003.   Breast Cancer Awareness Day.
We made pink ribbons and distributed them to all DACC mailboxes, and around campus as well.  We also had them available for donations at the induction ceremony.  The money raised was donated to American Cancer Society.

October 17, 2003. Pi Omega Fall Induction Ceremony.  7 PM, Bremer Theater.  (Group photo at 6:30)

October 18, 2003. Heart Walk.  10 AM to noon at the VA.  Contact:  Lori Garrett
We joined other DACC teams and were joined by Phi Theta Kappa International President, Amber Davids.  We participated as Team DACC-Phi Theta Kappa.

October 18, 2003. Workshops with Phi Theta Kappa International President, Amber Davids.  Contact:  Kat Armstrong
1:30, Bremer Theater.  Amber graciously offered to stay the afternoon to conduct a couple of free workshops for us!

October 28, 2003. Festival of Lights Parade float building meeting.
Anyone interested in helping with the college's float for the parade should meet in room 102 Vermilion Hall.  We will also be seeking volunteers to walk in the parade at a later date.

October 28, 2003.   Honors Satellite Seminar.  "Keeping Our Promises: Improving Care at the End of Life"  Presenter:  Dr. Diann Uustal

October 29, 2003.  DACC Spirit DayWe staffed a Phi Theta Kappa informational table in Lincoln Hall from 10 to 2.  We helped the Athena Club with activities to promote awareness of people with disabilities on campus.

October 31-November 2, 2003.  Regional Convention. Rock Valley College, Rockford. Seven members and Lori attended.  We campaigned for Regional President and were unopposed.

November 4, 2003.   Honors Satellite Seminar.  Topic:  "The Young and the Ruthless: Youth Violence and Public Health"  Presenter:  Dr. James Alan Fox

November 5, 2003:  Catch Ya at DACC Radio Show.  Kat and Laurie Little discussed Pi Omega's Regional President position, Regional conference, and our upcoming projects.
November 6, November 11, and November 13, 2003:  DACC Float Building for the Festival of Lights Parade.

November 12, 2003.   Sign up day for the Great American Smokeout.  We staffed tables in Mary Miller, Lincoln Hall, Clock Tower, and Tech Center to sign up DACC students, faculty, staff, and administration to participate in the Great American Smokeout on November 20th.  We handed out information and took "pledge" cards from the people signing up.

November 12  through December 10, 2003:   Ho Ho Ho Happy-not-Hungry Holidays Food Drive.
We organized a partnership with area high schools and National Honor Societies to collect non-perishable food items from all over the county to be distributed at area food banks.  On-campus contributions went to DACC's Student Emergency Food Bank, which we are now taking over.

November 14, 2003.   All Chapter Meeting, 11:30-12:20, room 186 Mary Miller.

November 15, 2003.  Adopt-a-Highway Trash Pick-up.

November 15, 2003.  Olive-Harvey College's Fall Induction Ceremony.
Chapter President Kat Armstrong attended to represent us as Regional President Chapter, while other members stayed to do Adopt-a-highway and Festival of Trees.,

November 15 through 19, 2003:  Festival of Trees, Danville Civic Center.   Big Brothers Big Sisters (with whom we partner) sought volunteers to help cover this wonderful event. Volunteer opportunities included dressing as a tree or elf and interacting with kids, working in the candy shop, selling candies, working in the bakery, baking Gingerbread men, checking in volunteers, taking or selling tickets at the door, lead groups of kids and teachers through the Civic Center, setting up displays.

November 18, 2003.   Honors Satellite Seminar.  Topic:  "Heads vs. Feds: The Great Debate."  We did a major poster campaign and had newspaper coverage for this (and all other) seminar.

November 19, 2003.  Phi Theta Kappa Founders' Day Celebration and Program Overview.   We invited Parkland College's Chapter to join us for some fellowship and as part of our chapter mentoring program.  We also invited DACC Administration and the Board of Trustees.  After the reception, a one hour orientation for newer members was conducted.  We held a dessert buffet.

 November 20, 2003: Great American Smokeout.   This activity started a week earlier with tables in each building to sign up those willing to quit.  On the 19th, members chalked anti-smoking messages all over campus.  We did a major poster campaign targeting many different populations, and using old American Cancer Society posters.  The posters are up perpetually.  We supplied survival bags to those who pledged to quit. Bags included candy and gum, breath mints, candy coins (for the money saved), heart stickers and confetti (healthy heart), bubbles (clean lifestyle), and party poppers to celebrate victory at the end of the day.  Pledgers were given encouragament/support by phone or email through the day and their names were printed in the college newsletters.

November 22, 2003 and December 22.   Salvation Army Bell Ringing.  This was our third year, but we did it twice this year, in response to the Salvation Army's plea for more volunteers.  We were at Wal-Mart and K-Mart, and were joined the second time by members from Parkland College's Chapter.

December 6. Regional Officers Meeting.  Moraine Valley College.  Kat Armstrong and Laurie Little attended this first regional officer meeting.

December:  Center For Childrens' Services Holiday Light Display.  We helped the Center set up their elaborate light displays and decorations on their front lawn.  We helped set up light displays and decorations, decorated evergreen trees, and hung lots of Christmas lights.

December 15:  Pizza Hut FUNdraiser for American Cancer Society.We held an end-of-semester social at Pizza Hut, joined by friends from Parkland College, and 20% of all sales were donated to the American Cancer Society.

Spring 2003:

January 15:  “Mentoring Matters” broadcast, 12:30-2:30. DACC hosted a live national satellite broadcast “Mentoring Matters.”  The satellite broadcast was produced by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention and the Juvenile Justice Telecommunications Assistance Project.  The satellite broadcast was presented by:  the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice Programs, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.  The broadcast is sponsored by DACC’s Liberal Arts Division Human Services and Criminal Justice Programs and the Department of Corporate and Community Education.

February 3:  Eagle Day:   .  We assisted with this big event at Mary Miller Center.  The World Bird Sanctuary will perform two shows--10:00 and 12:30--in the gym.  These are free and open to the public.  Birds of prey will be discussed, shown, and some flown.  It is a great show.  We helped with traffic flow and seating.

February 4: Academic Challenge:   Each year, more than 6,000 students, from over 575 high schools, participate in academic competition in
Illinois. DACC is a testing site. Member Darrin Shrout volunteered to do group photo shoots as the schools arrive.  We also volunteered to pick up exams and
run them to the scoring room between 10:30 and 11:00 and assisted with the lunch line.

March 17:  Legislators BreakfastFour members and Advisor Garrett joined DACC President, Dr. Alice Marie Jacobs, Board members, other DACC personnel, and area legislators for a catered breakfast and discussion of community college funding.

March 19-22: NJCAA Tournament volunteers needed.  During the tournament, we promoted the Keep Vermilion County Beautiful (KVCB) Program, which we are helping to launch.  Starla Biage dressed as KVCB's mascot, SpotLess, a Dalmation, for some Thursday and Friday and was joined by Kat Armstrong and Jen Vecellio.

April 2: Governor Letter Campaign.
We wrote letters to Governor Rod Blagojevich asking him to not cut any funding to two-year schools, using our own stories to explain the importance of the college and its services.  We launched this as a regional initiative, which was also discussed at International, asking Phi Theta Kappans from the whole state to join us in this letter writing campaign.

April 3-5: International Convention.
Anaheim, California.  President Abby Brooks, Scholarship Officer Starla Biage, member Wes White, and advisor Garrett attended.

April 3: Ag Day
This event draws thousands to DACC each year and is run by the Ag Club.  Several groups from grade schools come and we served as tour guides and to take them to the petting zoo, etc. and we helped with traffic flow and miscellaneous tasks.

April 12: Adopt-a-Highway launch of Keep Vermilion County Beautiful Program.
We were asked to help launch the Keep Vermilion County Beautiful Program by doing our first 2003 Adopt-a-Highway trash pickup.  This date was selected by the Illinois Department of Transportation as a statewide higheay pickup day.    We used this as a means to challenge other organizations, schools, and businesses in the area to also take responsibility for their own areas and join us for the Great American Cleanup April 26th.  Officer Starla Biage dressed as the Keep Vermilion County Beautiful mascot, SpotLess.

April 12: Arts and Health Festival
Bremer Center.  12:30-4:30.   This was the first Arts and Health Festival for I Sing the Body Electric.  Area high students spent the year preparing various art and media projects promoting healthy lifestyle choices and this is their exhibit and competition.  We staffed the registration table.

April 16: All-Illinois Academic Team Medallion Ceremony and Student Lobby Day in Springfield.
Pi Omega's nominees for All-USA Academic Team will be recognized in a medallion ceremony as they join the All-Illinois Academic Team.  This morning event is followed by Student Lobby Day meetings with our state legislators. Attended by Dr.Jacobs, Nominee Starla Biage, Chapter President Kat Armstrong, and Advisor Lori Garrett.

April 25: Pi Omega Spring Induction Ceremony and reception.
We welcomed new members and enjoyed a reception buffet afterwards, catered by Advisor Garrett  International President Amber Davids and new Regional Coordinator Jennifer Langland were our guest speakers.

April 26: Great American Cleanup.
This is a project through Keep America Beautiful and we participated by asking other students and DACC personnel to join us in picking up the campus neighborhood, and Meade Park..  We helped launch this initiative for Keep Vermilion County Beautiful on April 12th and issued challenges to other schools, organizations, businesses, and all chapters of Phi Theta Kappa to join us on this day and clean up their own areas.

May 16, 2003.  Honors Day ceremony and Graduation.   We were recognized at the Honors Day ceremony by college President Dr. Jacobs who presented us with our certificates for Pinnacle Award, Top 25 Chapter in Scholarship, and Top 100 Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa.  Students received their gold stoles and diploma stickers during rehearsal.  All suma cum laude graduates wore gold stoles this year!  Advisor Garrett hosted a reception after graduation.

May 17-18: Relay for Life
We entered a team and camped overnight.  Abby was on the steering committee.

May 24: Six Flags at Gurnee.
Phi Theta Kappa Day at Six Flags Great America, Gurnee, IL (near Chicago).  This was hosted by Upsilon Mu.

Summer 2003:
May 30-June 1. Regional Leadership Conference, Springfield IL.  Attended by Kat Armstrong, Jessica Pierce, Advisor Garrett and John Hoagland.  At this event, Regional Coordinator Jim White stepped down and Jennifer Langland took over.  Pi Omega received a Scholarship Hallmark and a Fellowship Hallmark, and Lori Garrett received an Outstanding Advisor Award.  We also were received our FIve Star certificate.

June 6-15, 2003:  2003 Honors Institute.    Chapter Advisor Lori Garrett served as a 2003 Faculty Scholar at this event in Washington DC.

June 7, 2003: HALO housepainting project.  We joined DACC administration to paint a house in our neighborhood through the HALO project.

July 19, 2003:  Adopt-a-Highway.

Late July: Officer elections. Kathie Armstrong President, Philip Mason Jr. VP of Programs, Jesse Shumard VP of Membership, Jessica Pierce Secretary, Christopher Denton Five Star Officer.

Last two weeks of July:  Officer Training.

August 14: Educators Resource Fair.  We conducted health screenings for this event.

August: New display case.  By Student Union area for us to display our awards.

Fall 2002:

August 24, 2002: Cookout with Parkland.    Advisor, Pres. Abby, and member Angela Owings joined the officers of Alpha Psi Eta chapter of Parkland College and its chapter advisor, Umeeta Sadarangani, who hosted a cookout at 5 P.M. at Umeeta's and her partner Marilyn's house in Champaign.  Chapters compared notes and pledged to work together to put  Central Illinois back on the regional map.  We invited them to a Fall weenie roast.

September 2, 2002: Westville Labor Day Parade.
Six members, advisor, and Honorary Member Hoagland joined DACC staff to walk in the Labor Day Parade.  Abby and Angela O. carried the Phi Theta Kappa banner.  Kat Armstrong had decorated their truck with our banners promoting the academic excellence at DACC.  Members' children joined us and two wore Phi Theta Kappa attire.  Wes White helped Garrett and Hoagland with the DACC pythons.

September 6, 2002: Chapter meeting.  Kat Armstrong announced that she has joined Illinois' Cancer Panel and will give a talk about the experience of losing her brother to cancer.

September 11, 2002:    September 11 Commemoration.  Joined DACC staff for a moment of silence and commemorative bell ringing.  Distributed some flags left from our Red Cross fund drive after the attacks last Fall.

September 21, 2002:      Light the Night Walk.
We helped "Light The Night" to help find a cure for blood-related cancers.  We  made this a Regional Initiative, challenging all chapters to attend our or their own walk.  This event was at Meadowbrook Park in Urbana and attended by Advisor Lori, John Hoagland, VP Kat Armstrong and Beka, Wesley White and wife Heather, and Angela Owings and friend Kaci.  We were joined by Adrianne Stickels, President of Alpha Psi Eta at Parkland.   Cancer patients and survivors carried white illuminated balloons, while supporters carried red illuminated balloons in a parade of flickering lights to commemorate those lives touched by cancer and celebrate survivorship. This the the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's largest  fundraiser of the year.

September 24, 2002:    Satellite seminar 1:  The Genetic Dimension of Health.
6:30-7:30 PM , room 024 (basement) Mary Miller Center.  Attended by Kat Armstrong, Steve Martin.
CHAPTER MEETING AT 7:30 IN THE SAME ROOM.

September 25, 2002:     Catch Ya@DACC Radio Show
5:00-6:00 PM, WDAN/WDNL Radio station, Lori and Kat discussed upcoming events and organization overall.

September 28, 2002:     Alzheimer's Memory Walk.
This walk was part of the Downtown Danville Crow Festival and Crow Parade.   Team DACC had Lori, Angela Houtchins and Tommy, Kat Armstrong and Ashley and Beka, Kevin Bruce, Wesley White, Jen Vecellio, and Scott Williams and extended family.  It included a tour of revitalization efforts in historic home district and Fischer Theater.

October 4, 2002: Alpha Psi Eta Chapter Induction ceremony.  Attended by Lori. Angela Owings, and Jen Vecellio.  Parkland College, Champaign, Illinois.

October 7, 2002: All chapter meeting, 2:30 PM, Room 186 Mary Miller Center.

October 8, 2002: Satellite seminar 2:  How Lifestyle Choices Determine Human Health,  6:30-7:30 PM, room 024 (basement) Mary Miller Center.
Presenter:  Dr. Linda Hancock, Assistant Director in the Office of Health Promotion, and a Family Nurse Practitioner and Health Educator at Virginia Commonwealth University.  Dr. Hancock is an expert on alcohol and tobacco abuse. This is the second in a series of five satellite seminars sponsored by Phi Theta Kappa. The college pays for this subscription, so we really need members present.  We will also offer these as Brown Bag lunches.   For more information about this seminar, please go to http://www.ptk.org/nchcss/seminars/2.htm

October 10, 2002: Adopt-a-Highway clean-up:   9:30 AM.  Karon, Grace, Wes, Scott, Ashley H., and Abby did this clean up.

October 15, 2002: Officer meeting, 5:00 PM, Lori's office.

October 17, 2002: Delta Kappa Gamma Literacy project.
Delta Kappa Gamma is a woman's teachers' sorority. We were invited to participate by DACC instructors Jane Brown and Merilyn Shepherd.  This project involved making packets for new mothers in the hospital.  The packets are just plastic zip lock bags with a book for the mother to read to the baby, nursery rhymes, a book mark, and some things promoting reading - from the web, libraries, etc.

October 19-20, 2002:     Mini Honors Day and Walk of Hope.
This was hosted by Nu Sigma chapter, Prairie State College (Chicago Heights).  John Hoagland, Lori, and Kat Armstrong went.  Kat spoke on the Cancer Panel.

Mini Honors Day:    Saturday, 8:00 AM to 4 PM. There were three general sessions with breakout seminar groups,  all focusing on our Honors Topic:  Dimensions and Directions of Health: Choices In The Maze.
Session 1:  Defining wellness and health.
Session 2:  Panel discussion on "Surviving Cancer."
Session 3:  Organ and tissue donation
Walk of Hope with Nu Sigma    Nu Sigma co-hosted a 1,2,3 mile or ten step marathon to raise money for Breast Cancer with the Homewood Cancer Support Group. This event is called the WALK OF HOPE.   For each member that registers with Phi Theta Kappa or Prairie State College on the 20th, $10 will go to the Homewood Center and the remainder will be sent to the breast society. We sent Nu SIgma $100 to become a Chapter of Hope in Illinois.

October 22, 2002:  Satellite Seminar 3:   Emerging Infectious Diseases
6:30-7:30 PM, Room 024 (basement) Mary Miller Center.
Presenter:  Dr. Gail Hughes, Assistant Professor in the Department of Preventive Medicine-Epidemiology at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson, Mississippi.  This is the third in a series of five satellite seminars sponsored by Phi Theta Kappa. The college pays for this subscription, so we really need members present.  We will also offer these as Brown Bag lunches.   For more information about this seminar, please go to http://www.ptk.org/nchcss/seminars/3.htm

October 27, 2002: Farm work day fundraiser:
Mr. Hoagland hired us to help on his farm for a day  Lori provided lunch.  Angela O and family, Jen V., Wes W., and Darrin S. helped.  We rasied another $300.

October 27, 2002: Bonfire Weenie Roast Down on the Farm!
5:00 PM, John Hoagland Farm.  This was an all-chapter, family, and friends event.  Lori provided plates, napkins, utensils and cups, weenies and buns and soft drinks.  Two members from Parkland joined us, as did Dr. Wendy Brown and her family.

November 1-3, 2002:      Regional Convention:
 This was hosted by Theta Omega Chapter at Wilbur Wright College, Chicago.  This year's theme is "Mind Body Spirit."  Kat A. and Starla B attended.  We were surprised by the purchases of a brick in our honor by Theta Omega.

November 8, 2002: Pi Omega Formal Fall Induction Ceremony and Reception
Bremer Center.  Chapter photo and hor d'oeuvres reception also. Dr. Jacobs was our guest speaker and was also inducted as an honorary member.  Kat A. organized the ceremony, Angela O. did decorations, Lori catered reception.. Pi omega chapter inducted new members Robert Adolph,  Kayla Campbell, Katie
Cunningham, Christina Drake,  Joshua Frank, Thomas Hamblin, Peggy Robison, Spencer Scott, Chatra Seneviratne,  and Wesley White. Also joining but unable to attend the ceremony were Lindsey Bays, Bradley Cooper, Robin Fetters, and Bill Warfel.

November 12, 2002: Satellite Seminar 4:  The Environmental Dimensions of Health
6:30-7:30 PM, Room 024 (basement) Mary Miller Center,
Presenter:  Dr. Kenneth Olden, Ph.D., Director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) and Director of the National Toxicology Program (NTP).  This is the fourth in a series of five satellite seminars sponsored by Phi Theta Kappa. The college pays for this subscription, so we really need members present.  We will also offer these as Brown Bag lunches.

November 18 and 21:    Festival of Lights parade and float:
Parade:  Evening of November 21st, downtown.  We assisted with building DACC's float for this parade and some members participated in the parade.

November 19, 2002: Center for Children's Services Holiday Decorating:The Center sought our help setting up their spectacular lawn displays.  Volunteers helped over the course of three days and Tina Drake was called back.

Chapter Meeting
5:00 PM, Room 277 (Microbiology lab) Mary Miller Center.

Satellite Seminar 5:  The Mind/Body Connection
6:30-7:30 PM, Room 024 (basement) Mary Miller Center. This is our last satellite seminar.  Please plan to attend.
Presenter:  Dr. Lori Arviso Alvord, Dean of Multicultural Affairs and Assistant Professor of Surgery at Dartmouth Medical School.
This is the last in a series of five satellite seminars sponsored by Phi Theta Kappa. The college pays for this subscription, so we really need members present.  We will also offer these as Brown Bag lunches.   For more information about this seminar, please go to http://www.ptk.org/nchcss/seminars/5.htm

November 21: Great American Smokeout
For our comprehensive college project, we have been asked by Dr. Jacobs to launch a smoking cessation campaign on campus.  We began by sponsoring "quitters" for the day.  We published articles promoting quitting, using statistics about the health risks, improvements that occur after quitting, and tips on how to quit.  Jen Vecellio made posters using statistics to show that 7 out of 10 college students do NOT smoke.  We made "Smokeout survival" kits for our quitters that included candy, gum, heart-motif items (healthy heart) smiley face pencils, candy coins (money saved), bubbles (cleaner when you quit and fun) and party poppers to celebrate their day's victory.  Also sent emails of encouragement throughout the day and as follow ups the next week.  Those who quit signed pledge cards and received a pair of movie passes.

December 10: Orientation meeting/program overview
All officers except Angela attended officer meeting first, then had Powerpoint presentation for new members.

December 21: Salvation Army Bell ringing.
Noon to 8 PM, Danville WalMart, 4101 N. Vermilion.  We rang bells to help raise money for the Salvation Army's kettle drive.  When the Salvation Army does this, they must also pay their workers for their time.  By volunteering, we save them those wages and that means more money goes to their charitable work.

December 22: Holiday Social at Pizza Hut, 3585 N. Vermilion, 5-7 PM.
We gathered for some fun and a brief chapter meeting.   ALSO--this was a fundraiser for our chapter!

August 8-11, 2002: Regional Honors Institute.   12th Annual Illinois Honors Institute hosted this year by John A Logan College near Carbondale, Illinois, exploring this year’s Honors Topic ("Dimensions and Directions in Health:  Choices in the Maze".  Registration was $100, motel covered by chapter funds.  Abby Brooks attended with our chapter scholarship; Angela Owings also attended.

July 2002:

7/16:    Presidential Scholars Luncheon.  Advisor attended luncheon with college President Dr. Jacobs and the Presidential Scholarship recipients, after mailing information packets and membership invitations to these students.  Nine of the ten students who attended signed up.  Incoming freshman were offered free provisional membership (normal fee is $10).  A table was set up to highlight Phi Theta Kappa graduation attire, Pi Omega's awards, and some of our media coverage.

7/8-7/25:     Officer orientations

7/3:     Abby Brooks elected as Chapter President.

7/27:    Manning-Vecellio wedding.  Congratulations, Jennifer Manning Vecellio!  Jen, one of our chapter secretaries, married longtime beau Gary Vecellio on Saturday, July 27th, in a beautiful ceremony.  The delightful event was witnessed by members Jessica Augustson and Karon Spencer, alumni member Nicole Pounds, advisor Lori, and fellow honorary member John Hoagland.  Jen and Gary, here's wishing you a very long and happy life together, and may your love grow with each passing year!

June 2002 :

6/7: Regional Leadership Conference, Elgin Community College.  Five members, advisor, and Honorary Member Hoagland attended Regional Leadership conference, where they receive their Five-Star Chapter certificate, Pinnacle Scholarship certificate, Most Improved Chapter Award, and Regional Leadership Hallmark Award. Contributed toys to collection for Patch Adams' Gesundheit Institute.

6/15: HALO Project House painting with DACC Administration.

6/22: Adopt-a-Highway clean-up.

6/24-6/30: International Honors Institute.  Starla Biage represented us at International Honors Institute in Greenville, SC, attending on a full scholarship received for being named Illinois Region Most Improved Chapter.

6/25:  President-Elect Jessica Pierce officially announced her resignation due to employment.

6/30: All-chapter, family, and friends Picnic at Kickapoo State Park.

January 2002:

1/10-2/4: Display cases. Set up a display in glass cases outside college library for beginning of semester, showing regular graduation attire and full Phi Theta Kappa regalia, chapter photo, photos and activity lists, requirements, etc.
1/25: Westville High School Tour: Members acted as guides and offered student perspective of DACC to a group of 9 students from Westville High School visiting campus this day. Started with A&P lab tour and cadaver session, then met with Director of Nursing for overview/tour of nursing facilities.

1/27:  T-shirts. One member developed several t-shirt designs then the chapter selected one.

1/27:    Pizza Hut FUNdraiser and all-chapter meeting.

February 2002:

2/4: Alpha Courtyard Brick: Advisor Garret and Honorary Member Hoagland announced that they are purchasing a brick for the Alpha Courtyard at the Center for Excellence in Jackson, Mississippi, for Pi Omega, joining Illinois' goal of having each chapter in the region represented. Our brick was purchased in honor of Dr. Jacobs, an honorary lifetime member and ardent supporter of our chapter.

2/4: Eagle Day:   We assisted in this event on campus, featuring a World Bird Sanctuary program. There were two presentations and we hosted around 800 fourth graders, other children, and adults who learned about birds of prey. We seated the audience, provided crowd control, and guarded the doors to be sure they weren't opened during the birds' flight.

2/5: Academic Challenge:   Each year, more than 6,000 students, from over 575 high schools, participate in academic contests in Illinois. DACC is a testing site. We helped run exams to the scoring room, sat up a Phi Theta Kappa information table, and assisted with lunch.

2/8: Wildlife Careers Presentation:   We co-hosted this event with the Science Division. Guest speaker John Weller, a wildlife biologist, was on campus to talk about education and wildlife career options. We were in charge of campus publicity.

2/16: Illinois Regional Jamboree:   Two representatives attended this event in Palos Hills.

2/10-2/21: Hallmark Award entries.   Small group and advisor worked diligently on completion of our first Hallmark Award Essays. We also submitted an essay nominating Dr. Jacobs for the Shirley B. Gordon Outstanding College President Award, and will be submitting a chapter yearbook at International convention in April.

2/18, 2/20, and 2/25.     Police Department Assessment Project: Per Dr. Jacobs' request, we participated in an extensive phone survey of the Danville community to assess public opinion and satisfaction of the service provided by the Danville Police Department.

2/23: Illinois Regional Mini-Honors Institute: Advisor Garrett, Mr. Hoagland, and two members traveled to Prairie State College. The keynote presentation was "Elves, Hobbits, and Dwarfs:" The Diverse: Communities of Middle Earth, " by Professor Mike Foster, North American Director of the J. R. Tolkien Society; other sessions include seminars, "Debate the Impact of the Regional Airport in Peotone," and "The Therapeutic Aspect of Humor and Belly Laughing," Professor Jim White, Regional Coordinator of Phi Theta Kappa.

March 2002:

3/11: Introduction to "I Sing the Body Electric" Project—guest speaker Joyce DeBoer, ISBE Director. Members were given the chance to sign on as paid interns or as volunteers to conduct surveys and work with area students on grant proposals to do projects promoting healthy lifestyles.

3/14-3/18:   New member informational meetings for recruitment—eligible students are sent written invitations and information packets, and all who attended these sessions joined.

3/23: Bowl for Kids Sake: Chapter had two teams that raised money for Big Brothers Big Sisters Program, and one of our teams was the third place winner for most money raised.

3/24: Farm Day Fundraiser.   Hired as farm hands to help on John Hoagland's farm to raise money for our trip to the International Convention.

Late March to Early April:      Officer elections held.   Officers elected for 2002-2003 are:

• Jessica Pierce—Chapter President
• Kathie Armstrong—Chapter Vice-President
• Jennalee Stark—Public Relations Secretary
• Jennifer Manning—Recording Secretary

4/4-4/6: International Convention in Nashville.    Attended by 8 members, College President Dr. Alice Marie Jacobs, Honorary Member Hoagland, and advisor Lori Garrett. Received the following awards:

• Shirley B. Gordon Award of Distinction for Dr. Jacobs
• Distinguished Chapter Award (one of 25) for overall performance in Hallmark Award Competition.
• A Top 100 Chapter overall in Hallmark Essay competition
• Top 25 Chapter in Fellowship
• Top 25 Chapter in Scholarship

4/11: Ag Day at DACC.

4/12: Spring Induction Ceremony. Inducted 32 new members (see Member Directory)..

4/13: Adopt-a-Highway clean-up followed by fellowship lunch at John Hoagland's farm.

4/26:Arbor Day Tree Planting Ceremony   with Meade Park Elementary School fifth graders. Our officers planted a blue spruce, donated by John Hoagland, at Meade. This year's theme: "Planting a tree of growth for a healthy tomorrow."

May 2002:

5/13: National Hospital and Health Care Week: Health-Awareness Day.   Representatives from Provena United Samaritans Hospital and the VA staffed informational tables by the Student Union to provide students information about proper nutrition, stress management, and preventive health care.

5/13-5/17: Project Graduation:   Received color front-page photo and story in News-Gazette, small articles in both papers, and college used 6 of its paid radio spots to promote this. 117 food items were donated to the Danville YWCA and 98 books were donated to the Readers' Route for use in its literacy programs.  This led to Pi Omega being featured in International Headquarters new full-color Project Graduation promotional brochure.

5/17: Graduation Day:   Pi Omega chapter was recognized by Dr, Jacobs at the Honors Day ceremony and presented with certificates from International Headquarters for Top 25 Chapter in Scholarship, Top 25 Chapter in Fellowship, and Top 100 Chapter overall. Phi Theta Kappa members were recognized at graduation rehearsal and presented their gold stoles for commencement. After commencement, chapter advisor hosted a reception for all graduates and their guests.

5/18-5/19: Relay for Life:  Pi Omega helped organize DACC's first entry as a team in this year's Relay for Life to fight cancer, and had 14 members participating. Most were involved in fund drives before hand, including Krispy Kreme doughnut sales and street corner collections. Most members stayed at the event all night (4 PM to 8 AM). Team DACC won the karaoke contest and Miss Relay Contest, and took the prize for top team in points.

5/19: Pizza Hut FUNdraiser and chapter meeting.

5/27:   Members attended DACC's tree planting and commemoration of the Korean War.
 

August 2001:

8/22-23: Fall Extravaganza:  We staffed a table for recruitment   Had candy ("Smarties" and "Nerds"), pencils, etc. to give out; Event is designed to welcome students (back) to campus.  All student organizations and also community organizations were invited to participate.   The event had a construction theme and ours was "Building Tomorrow's Leaders One Mind at a Time".

8/20-9/7: Clock Tower Display:  We reserved the glass display cases for the first two weeks of fall semester. Displayed one torso model with regular graduation attire and another with full Phi Theta Kappa regalia; displayed chapter photo, activity lists, International posters, photos of our activities, and other chapter information.

8/20: Bulletin board display:  We established a bulletin board by the Scholars Office in Clock Tower.

September 2001:

9/29: Alzheimer's' Memory Walk.   We organized a team to participate in this annual walk. Our college had conducted a campus-wide "Jeans Day" to collect for this event and College President Dr. Jacobs asked us to represent the college at the walk by presenting a large mock check.  We were the first organization to make such as presentation and the Alzheimer's personnel were thrilled and challenged other organizations and businesses to do the same next year.  Our team included children, spouses, and friends.  Students collected for Red Cross 9/11 Disaster Relief at County Market stores after the walk.

9/25/01:   Several activities this day:

• Community College 9/11 Relief Drive.  This was our comprehensive college project. Dr. Joseph J. Cipfl, President and CEO of the Illinois Community College Board, announced that the ICCB's Student Advisory Committee and local community college chapters of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society forged the "Community College 9/11 Relief Drive." The Drive raised funds to support the American Red Cross and its relief efforts to aid victims and families affected by the events of September 11.  We held an all day collection in each campus building and curbside.  Our main effort was on this day but donations were accepted throughout the week.  We organized the event and were joined by members of the DACC Scholars Program, Lady Jaguar Basketball Team, Dance Team, and our Student Trustee and enlisted personnel from various academic units.  This was a state-wide initiative, which Dr. Jacobs placed in our charge.  We arranged advanced media attention.  Students continued collecting the following Saturday at area County Market stores, after the Alzheimer's Memory Walk.  We worked with the Cashier's office to count, store, and deliver the money to the Red Cross.
• Honors Topic Satellite Seminar Series:  We hosted the 5-part Satellite Seminar Series on this year's Honors Topic, "Customs, Traditions, and Celebrations:  The Human Drive for Community." The first seminar, "The Marginalized Community:  Bridging the Great Divide," was presented the evening of our big 9/11 Relief Drive collection day.  We also held a bake sale in conjunction with this.  We invited area Honors Students from local high schools, but none came.  We extended an invitation to several chapters within travel distance but most already subscribed or opted not to come.  We did host two representatives from Ivy Tech in Terre Haute, Indiana.  Some faculty/administrators came to various seminars, including Dr. Jacobs.   We promoted each seminar with posters around campus, articles in the college newsletters, and in the local newspapers.
• Officer presentation at DACC Board of Trustees Meeting.  President Moore and Secretary/treasurer Kathie Armstrong attended the Board meeting to present college President Alice Jacobs with a large chapter photo, mounted and framed, for the college in recognition of her and DACC's support in our rebuilding efforts.

9/5:       EBus Tour with elementary students:  We escorted 20 fourth graders and 20 fifth graders from Meade Elementary School to DACC to explore computer technology on the touring EBus, part of California's Communities Connecting Project designed to bridge the digital divide in society.  The touring bus is stocked with computer stations and travels the country providing hands-on learning of computer skills.  DACC was selected for a visit and Dr. Jacobs asked us to serve as escorts and assistants.

9/4: Labor Day Parade:  Marched/rode in Westville Labor Day Parade, with our truck covered by posters promoting Phi Theta Kappa and academic excellence at DACC.
 

October 2001:

10/9: Honors Topic Satellite seminar two:  "The Isolated Community."

10/23: Honors Topic Satellite seminar three:  "The Exploration of Community Through the Arts and Humanities."

10/26-10/28: Illinois Regional Conference.  Attended by advisor, VP Steve Martin, and  Secretary/Treasurer Kathie Armstrong.  We took donations for the Food Bank collection.

10/29: Catch ya @ DACC Radio show:  Advisor and Secretary/Treasurer Kat Armstrong recorded a half-hour segment for the DACC radio show on WDNL.  Discussed qualifications of Phi Theta Kappa, current activities, and satellite seminar series.
 

November 2001:

All of November:      Operation Sleighbell:  We organized