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January 17, 2014

SVSU student to lead national convention for 400,000-member service fraternity

Saginaw Valley State University junior Amber Swanson will serve as chairperson of the 2014 national convention for Alpha Phi Omega, a co-ed service fraternity with 400,000 members on 375 campuses.

Swanson said she expects 2,000 members to attend the convention from Dec. 27-30 at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare in Chicago. The group assembles every two years.

“I was literally jumping for joy,” the communication major said upon learning of her appointment via email last month.

“Words cannot describe how insanely excited and fortunate I feel as I embark on this new journey. I cannot wait to plan a spectacular convention, meet brothers from across the country and represent Alpha Delta Upsilon (SVSU’s chapter).”

Over the next 12 months, Swanson’s duties will include developing a theme and logo for the conference, recruiting membership involvement, developing the program lineup and serving as spokesperson for the event.

The convention goals include conducting business for the fraternity, educating members via workshops and celebrating the group’s successes, she said.

Swanson, a Grayling native, said pledging for SVSU’s chapter “is the best decision I’ve ever made.”

The local group in recent months has volunteered its help at the Saginaw Children’s Zoo at Celebration Square, helped organize several community BINGO games at local assembly halls and sent greeting cards that troops overseas could fill out and mail to family and friends. The fraternity plans to meet this month to determine this semester’s service project goals, Swanson said.