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Nearly 200 show up as Potsdam sorority celebrates 50th anniversary

Posted 7/21/11

Current sisters and alumnae of Omega Delta Phi pose in front of their chapter house at 51 Elm St., Potsdam, for a photo by Kathleen Martin/LKNSports.com. POTSDAM -- Nearly 200 sisters of Omega Delta …

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Nearly 200 show up as Potsdam sorority celebrates 50th anniversary

Posted

Current sisters and alumnae of Omega Delta Phi pose in front of their chapter house at 51 Elm St., Potsdam, for a photo by Kathleen Martin/LKNSports.com.

POTSDAM -- Nearly 200 sisters of Omega Delta Phi sorority gathered in Potsdam July 15-17 to commemorate the organization’s 50th anniversary.

The weekend featured events such as a family-and-friends cookout and a 50th anniversary celebration banquet, which was held at La Casbah. Alumni also supported children’s literacy by purchasing a bookcase for the Potsdam Public Library.

“The Omega Delta Phi Alumni Association is proud to support children and families by promoting a love of books in the Potsdam community,” says Omega Delta Phi Alumni Association President Donnalyn Shuster. “The gift of reading will last a lifetime.”

The maple bookcase was presented to Youth Services Librarian Sarah Sachs at a ceremony attended by Potsdam Village Mayor Reinhold Tischler and SUNY Potsdam officials. It will accommodate the library’s growing collection of children’s literature.

The sorority gathering, of students and alumnae from SUNY Potsdam and Clarkson University, also conducted a canned food drive, collecting more than a half ton of donated goods for St. Mary’s Church.

Some notable alumnae include an Emmy-winning filmmaker, an academic dean, a President’s Volunteer Service Award winner, a Boston Globe “Person of the Year” and a liaison for the White House Office of Drug Control Policies.

Omega Delta Phi was founded on November 7, 1960, by 14 Potsdam State College students seeking a sorority like none other – one that embraced individuality. In 1973, Omega began welcoming Clarkson University pledges.

“One of the best things about the 50th anniversary celebration was the opportunity for five decades of Omega women to share their wisdom and experiences,” Shuster said. “We teach each other, learn from each other, celebrate good times and support each other when life’s challenges loom over us.”