Kenneth Cheung's Alpha Phi Omega Universe

The 65th Anniversary Report
Part 3: Proceedings

        The event itself took place in 3 locations. The first location was the Spartan Memorial and was supposed to start at 6pm. I reserved the room for 5:30 but it was still locked at 6:05. Someone called the University Police Department to unlock the door. Right after Sharon and I went sopping at Costco to pick up the food, I went back to my apartment to change.
        Curtis and I went to the MOSAIC to pick up the ceremonial supplies. Kevin Simpson among other alumni and actives were waiting at the first location. The Region 10 Director had a script of the ceremony, but only one copy. I had to run to the library to make copies. I met Reed Musselman and Jen Lin along the way and they helped me financially to make copies (Curtis also chipped in earlier). I made a few unnecessary duplicates and so lost some money. Also, the copy machine ran out of paper, so we had less sets of the script than needed (maybe 5 of the 6). I later wrote a complaint to the library and received my refund the next week. 
        So Reed, Jen and I went back to the chapel and the Executive Committee with Advisor Dwayne began to prepare the ceremony. Meanwhile, Nyram printed name tags with 65th Anniversary logo and distributed them out, writing the name and pledge class of the attendee. It was great that the attendees talked to each other while they waited for us to start. Before the commemorative ceremony began, Barney informed everyone to turn off their cellular devices.
        Our script for the ceremony was shorter than our usual pledge pinning ceremony, but kept similar elements. Dwayne Hearn, Kevin Lowe, Ajay Sharma, William Thater, Jose Barney Duran, Curtis Chung and I read the roles. Symbolically, we were re-initiating everyone who attended, especially the alumni. The Kevin Simpson and National Vice President Maggie Katz felt honored to be a part of this re-pledging ceremony (so we can make them honorary pledges). I play the secretary role and showed everyone the pin and coat of arms. After the ceremony we went around in the fellowship circle and sang the unisex version of the toast song because the alumni forgot about it, and Richwood did not include it in the program, and I neglected to tell the active members to sing it the oldies way. Everyone still had fun anyways. Then we all introduced ourselves and took pictures (I keep forgetting about the pictures part). We left the chapel at around 7:45.
        The second location was in the MOSAIC Cross-Cultural Center in the Student Union. Unfortunately, the place was occupied by another student group until 8pm, because an error prevented us to occupy the room earlier. Luckily, everyone was fine with it and were willing to wait patiently. Right when the Hip-hop dance group finished its meeting, our layout/decorations crew finished their work. Richwood set up his slide show, Nyram set up the decorations and tables. Sharon set up the food. Mike Huen, Andrew Phan and I set up the memorabilia and we all mingled for a while and ate. Ken Seli had an artistic poster of an eagle on the window. All the elements were perfectly in place. It was the best Alpha Phi Omega related setting that I have ever seen. I We had enough for for 80 people, but less that 80 people showed up and they ate all to food. Keep in mind for future events that Americans eat a lot more than they are supposed to. Do not trust the serving numbers.
        At around 8, we had the Pacifica Room to premiere our videos at 8:40. The historian also used it to display the 3 composites and historical articles from Cindy's research in the library. We also displayed 3 composites on easels, which was perfect. There was enough seating for everyone. Unfortunately, there was a problem with sound output to the large speakers. After testing it, J.R Fabito managed to fix it and the sound could be heard everywhere. With that settles, the 65th Anniversary Commemorative Video was playing. I stayed behind the table to manage the sound and so that people would not turn to me, as I was the host of that video. Due to time constraints, I cut Commemorative video and played the previously unreleased Banquet video. Huy Tran was the host and some people thought that he made the video and thanked him. Of course it was Vornchar who compiled the video collecting clips from various members.
        After the premieres, we took photos (I forgot again). Then people looked at the exhibits in the Pacifica Room and MOSAIC. More meet and greet time followed. our guests were scattered in the two rooms and the hallway. People from the same time period did stick with each other and the active members swarmed across the area as well. 
        Shortly afterward, some people had to leave, so I initiated the announcements period earlier than scheduled. Alumni had a chance to express their gratitude to the chapter, the event, and I, Phi talked about the scholarship, and President Kevin summed everything up.
        On a completely coincidental note one of our members, Huy Tran, celebrated a surprise birthday party after the event. His real birthday was before, so that day was a new surprise for him. There was Chinese food, ice cream cake, ramen noodles, poker, and other stuff that I am not at liberty to say. 

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4

Photo Gallery by Andrew Phan:

02.09.2005