Omega Alpha Phi celebrates 30 years of sisterhood
Homecoming has arrived, and Lee University is welcoming back alumni from all walks of life. Clubs across campus provide the opportunity for alumni to connect with current students through a variety of events and gatherings.
Omega Alpha Phi, one of the many service-based greek clubs on campus, celebrates 30 years of tradition and sisterhood this Homecoming weekend.
Omega Alpha Phi at the Homecoming Parade in 2025. Photo by Emma Sargent.
As the Alumni Coordinator for Omega, Ashlyn DeVries has worked hard to prepare for celebrations.
“There’s a lot of prep that has gone into it, but honestly building relationships with the alumni has been my favorite part. It doesn't seem like a job to me,” says DeVries.
Connecting with alumni has shown DeVries that they have “kind of had the same exact experience that I'm having now.”
Omega is a club that was founded on the phrase “set the standard,” which DeVries sees as going “above and beyond” for people. She saw this value in the way the club pursued her before she decided to rush.
“I think the girls in Omega really sought me out, and right off the bat I had such close friendships with them, and it was unlike any friendships that I had ever had before. They stood out, and I had so much peace with Omega,” says DeVries.
DeVries is known as a legacy member because her mother was in Omega during her time at Lee. Her mother Ginger joined the club in the 9th tap, and Ashlyn is a part of the 57th tap.
When she was in the club, Ginger served as chaplain, and president, and still remembers how helping lead the club was special to her.
“I loved the role of helping shepherd the club and bringing people close to the Lord, and just our time of worship and prayer together … It was just a great experience, and I love that Ashlyn still has a lot of the same stories now,” says Ginger.
Ginger is traveling from Florida to celebrate with women she once shared the club with. This Homecoming celebration lets Ginger see the growth of the club that she was involved in over 25 years ago, and also allows both mother and daughter to celebrate the impact the club has left on their lives.
Even though members throughout the span of 30 years have not all shared the club together, there is a sense of sisterhood that is present when they come together.
Lily Chapman graduated from Lee in Spring of 2025, and served as special events coordinator, treasurer, and two-time president during her time in Omega.
While Chapman was a student, she volunteered at a church where she met alumni that she did not share time in the club with but felt connected to because of their shared experiences in sisterhood and traditions.
Photo Courtesy of Lily Chapman.
“We never crossed paths before, but because we both shared Omega, and shared the values and everything to do with the club, we had this almost invisible string theory,” says Chapman. “It was super special because they knew where I was at in my season of life, and I knew that they knew.”
This is just one example of what women from all eras of Omega hope to experience when they are all together in November.
Chapman also highlights how this will be a time for her to reunite with the girls she got into the club with that meant so much to her during her college experience.
“What makes coming back so special is that the group that I got into Omega with is now scattered throughout a lot of different places, and it's so special to even have the opportunity where we can come back and see each other,” says Chapman.
Photo Courtesy of Lily Chapman.
Along with seeing the club she rushed for, she has the chance to see how the girls she voted into the club are growing and stepping into leadership roles.
“Its just so special to see the legacy live on,” says Chapman.
For the sisters of Omega Alpha Phi, from generation to generation, this milestone is a testament to the lasting connections, traditions, sisterhood and legacy they have all worked to build and experience.
Omega Alpha Phi will host several events throughout Homecoming weekend.
