Students relaunch service honorary Alpha Phi Omega

Heidelberg’s Alpha Phi Omega chapter fizzled out in 2018, but this year, Sophomore Kailyn Kroll is leading the charge on their relaunch! Alpha Phi Omega is a national service fraternity, with several different regions across the states. Heidelberg is part of Region H, which contains schools in Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky.

The Region H chair contacted Kailyn before she began her freshman year, encouraging her to join the club. 

“They reached out to other freshmen, but I was the only one who came up for it. I was a lone member going through all of the education for it, so essentially I became president in this role, and I’m still serving as president,” Kailyn says. 

APO wants to continue to get the campus community involved. “We have nine members now, so we want to get people to help fill more officer positions,” Kailyn says. Currently, the group is being advised by Dr. Heleana Theixos and Dennis LoConti, but they are almost entirely student-led. New members are asked to complete an online education program, set by the national Alpha Phi Omega office, so they know the values and have some ideas about promoting service in their communities.

Kailyn’s main goal for the group this semester is to engage the campus community and promote service. Kailyn says that they want to build up Heidelberg’s chapter, and “have some more pride in the service we do, but also put on more service events for the campus and for the community.” 

The honorary is looking into partnering with local missions and other campus groups, as they want to focus on local needs as well as national needs. 

Kailyn adds, “It’s great for everyone to be involved on campus in service. Even the smallest difference can make an impact on someone’s life, and that’s what APO stands for!”

This week, APO members hosted and assisted with an on-campus blood drive with the American Red Cross.

Meetings are held at 6:30 p.m. on every other Thursday in Beeghly Library 205.  The next meeting will be January 27. If you want to get involved, reach out to Kailyn or attend those meetings!

—    by Em Swain ’22