The Order of Omega Board of Directors concluded their summer meeting by selecting Mardie Sorensen as Order of Omega’s new Executive Director to replace Dr. Kent L. Gardner, who announced his retirement earlier this year.

Dr. Gardner has been the driving force behind Order of Omega for more than 40 years, 27 of those as the Executive Director.  Dr. Gardner will relinquish this full-time position to Ms. Sorensen and will continue to serve the organization as Executive Director Emeritus.  Mardie has served as the Assistant Executive Director of Order of Omega for the past 17 years.

“Kent is Mr. Order of Omega,” said David Grady, president of Order of Omega. “In 1971 Kent was handed a box with 10 file folders, one for each chapter, and a checkbook with $90.  Under his leadership, Order of Omega has grown to over 450 chapters. This year, Order of Omega will have awarded over $1 million in scholarships and fellowships.” Grady continued, “Without the exceptional leadership provided by Kent, Order of Omega wouldn’t be the premier honorary for fraternity and sorority leaders it is today.”

An experienced collegiate professional and leader, Mardie Sorensen most recently served as the Assistant Vice President of Student Affairs at The University of Texas at Arlington.  A longtime advocate of student development and leadership, Mardie will bring her knowledge and passion for Greek Life to the organization as it continues to promote the highest principles and values of fraternity and sorority life.

“Mardie has been mentored by Kent both at UT-Arlington and at Order of Omega,” said Grady. “For the past 17 years, Mardie has served as Assistant Executive Director of Order of Omega, working closely with all areas of the organization. Her experience and Kent’s continued engagement will result in a smooth transition as Mardie builds on the firm foundation that Kent has established.  I am confident that Order of Omega will continue to serve its members and the fraternity and sorority world well under Mardie’s leadership.”

Mardie will begin her official duties as Executive Director December 1, 2012.  She will be introduced at AFA’s 2012 Annual Conference in Indianapolis at Order of Omega’s annual reception.

Founded in 1959, Order of Omega is an International Leadership Honor Society that recognizes the top 3% of fraternity and sorority members at over 450 university campuses throughout North America.  Order of Omega is a membership driven organization, welcoming over 10,000 new members each academic year!  Order of Omega also supports its collegiate membership through the Scholarship & Fellowship Program. The organization will be celebrating a significant milestone this fall by reaching $1 million in scholarships and fellowships awarded.  Representing the richness and diversity of Greek Life throughout the many university communities, Order of Omega’s chapters share a common goal of recognizing the many outstanding students that exemplify the highest standards in the areas of scholarship, leadership, involvement within their respective organization and the Greek, campus and local communities.

As Executive Director Emeritus, Kent will continue to maintain an office at the Order of Omega Headquarters and can be reached at that address.