USAO Reinstates Theater Honor Society with Nine
Published:
May-01-2008
Photo Cutline:
Flanked by mysterious masked entities, USAO students recently were initiated into Alpha Psi Omega, a national theater honor society that hasn't seen campus activity at USAO in 40 years. The society also was reinstated during the initiation ceremony April 11 on the university campus. From left are Adeel Siddiqui, Kasey Sams, Katie Davis, Michelle Bivins, C.W. Bardsher, Matt Lane, Brittany Schultz, Laura Schultz and Marcie Price. Not pictured are Michael DeFord, Schuyler Austin, and Robert Story.
CHICKASHA -- For the past 40 years, a secret society has been lost in the shadowy underworld of time. That is, until recently, when the University of Science and Arts resurrected an age-old tradition not seen since the university went by the name of the Oklahoma College of Liberal Arts.
Alpha Psi Omega, the National Honor Society for Theater students, is back with a fresh voice, new students and a second chance at life.
The prestigious organization first received an official charter for the chapter at OCLA in May, 1966. But it was short lived. The last official initiation ceremony was held in November of 1968. Today, more than two dozen APO members exist among the alumni of OCLA and USAO.
On April 11, the USAO chapter, officially titled the Sigma Xi Cast of
Alpha Psi Omega, was reinstated with the official initiation of nine pledges to the honor society. Assistant Professor of Drama Katie Davis, representing the national office, conducted the initiation ceremonies in the Davis Hall Theatre and on the stage of the outdoor Greek Theatre.
Students were invited to pledge after having met academic and service standards established in the APO constitution by the national office. To meet these requirements, students must be active in campus productions and accumulate a minimum of 75 points, which are earned by contributing in a variety of theatrical activities, including technical theater, playwriting, dramaturgy, directing, acting and serving as officers of campus drama clubs.
The nine initiated students were officially recorded in the register of the national organization and paid dues that guarantee lifetime membership in the society. Davis was initiated as the faculty sponsor for the organization and has assumed the responsibilities and privileges of APO membership and leadership.
The following students were initiated into the USAO chapter of the APO honor society:
Laura Schultz of Tulsa, Brittany Schultz of Tulsa, C.W. Bardsher of Duncan, Michael DeFord of Oklahoma City, Schuyler Austin of Ardmore, Kasey Sams of Wetumka, Michelle Bivins of Edmond, Matt Lane of Kingfisher and Robert Story of Amber.
According to Davis, two other lifetime members of the APO national society who dwell on campus will be invited to attend and support future meetings and activities of the honor society: Dr. J.C. Casey, professor of communication, and
Julie Bohannon, director of alumni affairs.
