Autumn 2025 Collegiate Update

2025 Phi Upsilon Omicron Gamma Chapter Fall Initiation: Honoring Legacy, Welcoming Leaders

On October 12, 2025, the Gamma Chapter of Phi Upsilon Omicron gathered for its annual Fall Initiation—a celebration of tradition, achievement, and community. The event welcomed new members, honored national and chapter awardees, and spotlighted the chapter’s ongoing commitment to leadership and service.

Ann Paulins, Chapter Advisor

Initiation Ceremony

Kathryn Wood, Alumni President-Elect

Initiation Participates

Ann Paulins with Selena Gonzalez-Jordan, Professional Project Chair

🏛 Ceremony Highlights

• Welcome Address: Dr. Ann Paulins, Chapter Advisor, opened the ceremony with reflections on Phi U’s enduring values.

• Initiation Ritual: Led by Vice-President Jack Anderson, the formal induction welcomed a dynamic group of new members into the Gamma Chapter.

• Charge to Initiates: Kathryn Wood, Alumni Chapter President-Elect, delivered a heartfelt charge, inspiring initiates to honor legacy and lead with purpose.

• Recognition of Excellence:

  • Scholarship Awardees were honored for their academic achievements.

  • Gamma Chapter was celebrated for winning 1st Place in the National Professional Project competition.

🌟 Welcome to Our Fall 2025 Initiates

Name	Year	Major(s) and Minor(s)
Areej Almousa	Sophomore	Fashion and Retail Studies
Millie Ash	Graduate Student	Human Development and Family Science
Ainhoa Beauchamp Serafim	Junior	Marketing & Logistics; Fashion and Retail Studies minor
Saba Belyani	Graduate Student	Human Nutrition
Kathryn Brooks	Sophomore	Marketing; Fashion and Retail Studies minor
Genevieve Conrath	Junior	Finance; Fashion and Retail Studies minor
Isabella Dick	Junior	Hospitality Management
Brianna Fasce	Sophomore	Accounting; Consumer Family Financial Services minor
Haley Fielding	Graduate Student	Fashion and Retail Studies
Belle Grubert	Sophomore	Psychology; Human Nutrition minor
Haley Haines	Junior	Nutrition Dietetics; Psychology minor
Lex Holdren	Senior	Fashion and Retail Studies
Qiman Huang	Junior	Consumer Family Financial Services
Jessica Lammers	Junior	Consumer Family Financial Services; History minor
Jun Lee	Graduate Student	Hospitality Management
Nishita Meshram	Graduate Student	Human Nutrition
Ellie Michaelis	Senior	Marketing; Fashion and Retail Studies minor
Alaina Prince	Senior	Hospitality Management
Sarah Sabbagh	Junior	Biology; Human Development and Family Science minor
Ashley Simon	Graduate Student	Fashion and Retail Studies
Caroline Smith	Senior	Human Development and Family Science; Psychology and Substance Misuse/Abuse/Addiction minors
Caroline Swan	Junior	Fashion and Retail Studies; History minor
Halle Taggart	Junior	Psychology; Human Development and Family Science minor
Gabrielle Vaccaro	Junior	Psychology; Human Development and Family Science minor

🏆 Gamma Chapter Wins 1st Place National Professional Project

Project Title: Stitching Service into Scholarship: Interlacing FCS, Leadership and Community Award: $300 from Phi Upsilon Omicron, Inc.

This winning project is an outreach partnership with Legacy Academy Middle School in Linden, OH (Columbus). Members are invited to get involved in Spring 2026 through:

• Planning three on-campus events

• Participating in the events themselves

• Contributing to clothing donations

Contact: Selena Gonzalez-Jordan, Professional Project Chair📧 gonzalez-jordan.1@buckeyemail.osu.edu

🎓 National Awardees

Founders Fellowship

• Maria Abdul-Masih

• Vishahka Kumari

Bates Family Legacy Scholarship

• Jack Badia

Golden Anniversary Scholarship

• Anna Czarnecki

Margaret Jerome Sampson Scholarship

• Abby Shortall

🎓 Ohio State University Scholarships

Jane Shanley Graduate Scholarship

• Maria Abdul-Masih

• Vishahka Kumari

• Ana Garcie Escalante

• Rashin Ghahreman

• Delaney Phillips

• Carolyn Ready

Gamma Alumni-Sponsored Undergraduate Scholarships

• Jack Badia

• Anna Czarnecki

• Ava McFall

• Miary Tewelde

💐 Gratitude to the Gamma Alumni Chapter

Special thanks to the Gamma Alumni Chapter for their unwavering support:

• Financial sponsorship of new initiates’ national dues

• Coordination of the Fall Initiation reception

This celebration of legacy, leadership, and scholarship reflects the heart of Phi Upsilon Omicron. The Gamma Chapter continues to thrive through its commitment to excellence and community—welcoming new members, honoring achievements, and building bridges across generations.

Gamma Alumni Hosts Inspiring “Lunch and Learn” for Collegiate Members

On Wednesday, October 29th, the Gamma Alumni Chapter of Phi Upsilon Omicron, in collaboration with Student Advisor Dr. Ann Paulins, welcomed collegiate Gamma members to a meaningful “Lunch and Learn” session focused on scholarship opportunities and financial aid.

The afternoon began with a warm and celebratory Initiation Ceremony, where three new collegiate members were officially welcomed into the Phi U family. Immediately following, Scholarship Chairs Alice Miskell and Michele Eastlake opened the program with heartfelt remarks and a clear roadmap for navigating scholarship applications.

Attendees enjoyed a light lunch of sandwiches and sides, fostering camaraderie and connection before diving into the scholarship session. Dr. Paulins and Alice Miskell teamed up to share key insights on National Phi U scholarship criteria and upcoming deadlines, offering practical guidance and encouragement to students preparing their applications.

Adding depth to the conversation, Julianna Belyn from the College provided valuable tips on securing additional OSU scholarships and fellowships, broadening the scope of financial support available to students. The session also featured three collegiate members who courageously shared their personal experiences applying for financial aid—stories that resonated deeply and reminded everyone of the power of persistence and community.

Leadership was well represented, with Gamma Alumni President Connie Cahill and President-Elect Kathryn Wood in attendance, reinforcing the chapter’s commitment to mentorship and legacy.