Meet the new NEBANITA THIBODEAUXEarly in her college career, Anita Landrywas contacted by a high school classmatewho had pledged <strong>Omega</strong> <strong>Phi</strong> <strong>Alpha</strong> atAuburn University. Anita was asked to fillout a questionnaire about her university,the University of Southwestern Louisiana.Eager to oblige, she promptly returned thequestionnaire about the enrollment composition,residential life and studentdynamics of USL to the young lady withwhom she had graduated and co-lead theirhigh school’s campus ministry program.Then-Expansions Director Lara Randallmust have deemed the University ofSouthwestern Louisiana a good “fit” and aviable university at which to establish achapter of <strong>Omega</strong> <strong>Phi</strong> <strong>Alpha</strong>, because shecalled Anita shortly thereafter in order tooffer an introduction and charge her withfinding meeting space in which to host aninformational session.It wasn’t until meeting Lara Randall atthis informational session and being soimpressed with her enthusiasm and themission of <strong>Omega</strong> <strong>Phi</strong> <strong>Alpha</strong>, that Anitaconsidered being affiliated with a neworganization on her campus. USL didn’thave a service sorority at the time, and shequickly learned how it differentiated froma social sorority. Having won severalphilanthropic awards in high school, itbecame apparent to Anita that this endeavorwould enable her to continue service inher community and beyond. Thus, thestage was set for Anita’s lifelong commitmentto <strong>Omega</strong> <strong>Phi</strong> <strong>Alpha</strong> and the joy,friendships and opportunities that membershipafforded to her.While an undergraduate, Anita served asthe colony and chapter president and wasselected to serve on a special committeecreated and appointed by the <strong>National</strong>Executive Board. The involvement withthe special committee, coupled with herinvigorating experience at her first nationalConvention in Tennessee, inspiredAnita to run for national office immediatelyafter graduation. She was elected tothe position of <strong>National</strong> ExpansionsDirector at the age of 21. Although shejust had one year of active service underher belt, her passion about her sororityserved her well as she established twonew chapters during her term.Anita then became <strong>National</strong> ExecutiveSecretary and Vice President of AdvancePlanning. She feels as if one of herlargest contributions to <strong>Omega</strong> <strong>Phi</strong> <strong>Alpha</strong>was spearheading the sorority’s strategicenrollment plan in 2004. Vision 2010, asit was called, was unveiled at Conventionafter a year-long effort involving hours ofinput and work from sisters representingeach of our constituents. It was adoptedand, although modified, is still guiding thedirection of OPA today.Much has changed since Anita’s earlyinvolvement in OPA. Her university isnow known as the University of Louisianaat Lafayette, and she, herself, had a namechange after marrying Troy Thibodeaux inNovember of 2007. Although she has notyet been blessed with children, she is theproud “mom” of a Boxer named Isabelle.Anita’s hobbies include traveling, cookingand mixed media art. Anita now resides inEunice, Louisiana, where she works as amember of the Student Affairs staff at thejunior college in the Louisiana StateUniversity system.MYRINDA GRANTHAM<strong>Alpha</strong> Beta Chapter Alumna<strong>National</strong> VP Administration 2008-2011I became a part of <strong>Omega</strong> <strong>Phi</strong> <strong>Alpha</strong> whenI heard that a group of women on campuswere starting a sorority that was focusedon three cardinal principles of friendship,leadership and service. This sorority wasnot like the other sororities at Ole Miss,and I was intrigued and excited, so Idecided to become a part of the foundingsisters of <strong>Alpha</strong> Beta Chapter of <strong>Omega</strong><strong>Phi</strong> <strong>Alpha</strong> on Jan. 25, 2003. During mythree years of active chapter service, Iserved as VP of membership, sergeant-atarms,insignia chair, historian, and presidentand never missed a Convention.While serving as chapter president, I wasselected to serve on the Vision 2010 committeeand became involved on the nationallevel. While finishing up college, I wasable to serve as Convention Coordinatorin 2006, and the next summer I wasappointed to serve as insignia coordinator,a position I held until being elected VicePresident of Administration.I stay involved with OPA for a couple ofreasons. One is that I want to give backto an organization that has given so muchto me. Without OPA I would not be theperson I am today, and it has given metons of leadership experience and growthopportunities. Secondly, I work with collegestudents on a daily basis as aResidence Life Coordinator and DiversityLiaison for Oxford College of EmoryUniversity. My interactions with collegestudents are more formal because I am anadministrator and are not always positivebecause I spend a lot of time correctingthe behavior of others. OPA allows me tospend time having positive interactionswith amazing young women in a moreinformal setting where I’m not alwaysviewed as “the fuzz.”I live outside Atlanta in a town calledCovington, where I spend lots of time withmy MacBook, Tivo, playing video gamesand learning guitar. I very much enjoy goingto concerts and listening to the music ofRachael Yamagata, Brandi Carlile, MissyHiggins, Sara Bareilles and others. I will notmiss Grey’s Anatomy, the Office and variousother television programs. I also have a fabulousgirlfriend who works at Georgia Tech,Vicky, and we’re learning to cook newthings together.6 Chevron y Fall 2008
Meet the new NEB<strong>National</strong> President, Pamela McEwen installs and introduces the 2008-09 <strong>National</strong> Executive Board. Pictured left to right: Shayna Morris, Andie Bowman, Anne Wilhoite,Anita Thibodeaux, Heather Pritchard, Chelsea Navo, Sarah VanDyke, Myrinda Grantham, Stephanie Hallman, and Pamela McEwen in front.Making it the City ofSisterly Loveby Andie Bowman, VP MembershipAt Convention 2008, it was announced that Convention 2009 will be held in the historical city of <strong>Phi</strong>ladelphia, PA. Mark July 22-26, 2009 as OPA Convention on your calendar and make plans to attend today.To encourage alumnae attendance, we will be continuing the VIP Raffle for the Scholarship Trust. For every $25 that an alumnadonates to the scholarship trust, she will receive an entry to win one of two grand prize VIP trips to Convention 2009 (thisincludes travel, registration fees and hotel room at a double room rate). As an incentive for the active chapters, any chapter thatregisters and pays in full for their voting delegates by April 1, 2009 will receive 100 percent travel reimbursement for their delegates.In addition, any sister who registers early will receive an OPA gift.<strong>Phi</strong>ladelphia not only is a great place for OPA Convention, but your summer vacation as well. We will be at the Crown Plaza indowntown <strong>Phi</strong>ladelphia. The city offers many attractions including Independence Hall, the home of Betsy Ross, the ConstitutionCenter, the steps from Rocky, and many more. Shopping in <strong>Phi</strong>ladelphia is exciting because there is NO sales tax on clothing.We are in the early planning stages of Convention 2009, so if you would like to help please contact our VP of BusinessOperations, Stephanie Hallman, at bus@omegaphialpha.org.Fall 2008 y Chevron 7
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