We Set the Pace!

BY EMILY FLOYD (THETA UPSILON, UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA), EVENTS MANAGER

Alpha Chi Omega was “Back Home Again in Indiana” in July for the 62nd National Convention! More than 800 sisters traveled to Indianapolis to connect, grow and lead the way as sorority women.

The weekend kicked off on Friday, July 12, with an excursion to DePauw University and the Alpha chapter house, tours of Alpha Chi Omega headquarters, the Alumnae Initiation Ceremony and service projects with HopeAnchor & Crew. Prior to dinner, the NHC held a reception to celebrate its accomplishments throughout the biennium. Friday evening, attendees joined each other in the ballroom for Reunion Night Dinner to recognize volunteers, celebrate Seeking the Heights chapter award winners and connect with sisters from their chapter of initiation. After dinner at the Start Your Engines Sisterhood Social, sisters shopped new looks and styles from vendors, mailed postcards to friends and got matching permanent jewelry.

Saturday morning started bright and early with province meetings and networking, followed by the first National Chapter Meeting. National leaders shared updates with attendees during the State of the Enterprise, delegates elected the National Council and National Nominating Committee, and we took the all-attendee convention photo. After the Sisterhood Luncheon, where attendees reflected on the bonds we share, they chose sessions from education tracks to attend before joining together for Jess Ekstrom’s keynote, “PACE Your Mind: Change Your Inner Dialogue and Step Into Your Purpose.”

Next was All That Is Noble, a sister recognition program to celebrate those reaching their 50-, 60- and 75-year anniversaries of Alpha Chi Omega membership, as well as to recognize more award winners and honor sisters who had passed in the last biennium during the Hall of Memory. To wrap up Saturday, sisters explored downtown Indianapolis with dinner on their own or attended the Indianapolis Indians baseball game with other fans before resting up for the final day of convention.

On Sunday morning, some sisters attended a guided meditation session or enjoyed breakfasts sponsored by Pearl Stone Partners, the Foundation and the chapter consultant program. At the second National Chapter Meeting, delegates voted on important Fraternity legislation. The Foundation celebrated the Common Bond. Uncommon Impact. campaign with an astounding $33 million raised by the luncheon on Sunday – complete with cold sparks!

Convention came to an end with the popular Carnation Celebration dinner. We recognized National Council members completing their first term of office and celebrated outgoing National Council members. The evening concluded with the official passing of the National President’s badge from Lynne Herndon to Jennifer Daurora, as well as the reveal of the winners of the Fraternity’s highest and most coveted awards.

Through the whole convention weekend, sisters set the pace for the next two years until we can reconvene in Dallas, Texas, for the 2026 National Convention!