Delta Iota History

 

Delta Iota Chapter was originally founded on November 14, 1946, but due to lack of membership it went inactive.

Toward the end of the 1993-1994 school year, I (Joshua B. Smith) asked a few of my friends if they would be interested in starting Alpha Phi Omega on Mercer’s campus. At that time I knew very little about Alpha Phi Omega. All I knew was that it had the same high ideals as the Boy Scouts of America, and I shared my limited information. Everyone I asked, with varying amounts of interest, said they would be willing to help. I then sent a letter to the National Office of Alpha Phi Omega.

 

During the summer of 1994 I received some information from the National Office as well as the phone number of then Section Chair, Laura Fowler. On the phone with “Mom” (Laura Fowler), I learned the first few steps needed to be taken in order to start a chapter. I also gave her my address so that she could mail me more information.

 

Late November 1994 there was a meeting in room 104 of Shorter Hall (before the remodeling). There were nine of us there, Stephen Thompson (Eagle Scout), Matt Thompson (Eagle Scout), Suzie Conners, Misti Phillips, Justin Hertzler, Sara Smythe, Bill McDonald (Eagle Scout), Laura Fowler, and myself (also an Eagle Scout). Since there were four Eagle Scouts at the meeting, “Mom”, habitually mentioned that Alpha Phi Omega was not the same as Boy Scouts. We understood this fact, but we wanted to have our soon-to-be chapter do some of the same things as the Boy Scouts did, like camping.

 

On October 4, 1996 Delta Iota became a chapter again. The amount of pride and strength of emotions felt that night, few will ever feel. The new charter contains the names of:

 

Savannah Dianne Barlett

Lizette Charlene Binford

Jason Horace Dorsey

Heather Brianna Driver

Felicia Denise Fryer

Justin Scott Hertzler

Lakoya Umoja Hobbs

Heather Alanna Lyons

William C. McDonald

Misti Meredith Phillips

Joshua Brandon Smith

Sara Michelle Smythe

Kimberlee Anne Snyder

Derrick Watson Taylor

Jody Marceil Varnadore

D. Suzette Walden

Teresa Michele Young

Dr. Aaon R. Byerley

Dr. Rbert L. Huffman

Dr.Laurie L. Lankin

Jula McKeithan