Founded in 1959 at The University of Miami, Order of Omega was created to recognize "fraternity men and women who have attained a high standard of leadership in inter-fraternity activities." The organization exists alongside traditional Greek fraternities and sororities as a leadership supplement.

According to The Order, their main purposes are:

• To recognize those fraternity men and women who have attained a high standard of leadership in interfraternity activities, to encourage them to continue along this line, and to inspire others to strive for similar conspicuous attainment;
• To bring together outstanding fraternity men and women to create an organization which will help to mold the sentiment of the institution on questions of local and intercollegiate fraternity affairs.
• To bring together members of the faculty, alumni, and student members of the institution's fraternities and sororities on a basis of mutual interest, understanding and helpfulness;
• To help create an atmosphere where ideas and issues can be discussed openly across Greek lines and to help work out solutions.

Order of Omega distances itself from Phi Beta Kappa, the more popular liberal arts/Greek honor society, as they celebrate community service and Greek communication activities over overall academic accomplishments. In fact, grades only count as one criteria of six total when it comes to membership eligibility.

In order to qualify for membership, students must show promise in the following areas:

• Character
• Scholarship
• Offices/positions held within Greek fraternal organizations
• Service to Greek Life
• Service to the college/university/community
• Grades -- must be within the top 10% of all members of the Greek campus community and be an upperclassman

The Order currently has over 575 chapters in the United States with over 240,000 members. You’ll recognize these scholars on graduation day by their gold and white honor cords and custom stoles.

Below are examples of products offered at Senior Class Graduation Products, though students are recommended they check with their chapters for specific purchasing information.

Are you a member of the Order of Omega? What Greek organization were you in? Let us know in the comments!