Randolph-Macon College’s annual Pepper and Stuart Laughon Commitment to Community Award presentation and luncheon took place April 29, 2016. This year’s winner is the Theta Omega Chapter of Alpha Phi Omega (APO).

Photos: Commitment to Community Award presentation

The event took place in the Dollar Tree Community Room in Brock Commons. RMC Board of Trustees member and Chair of the Student Affairs Committee Sue Schick ’84 welcomed guests, and Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students Grant Azdell shared a brief history of the award.

Alpha Phi Omega is a national coeducational service organization founded on the principles of leadership, friendship and service. It provides its members the opportunity to develop leadership skills as they volunteer on their campus, in their community, to the nation, and to the organization.

The Commitment to Community Award
The Pepper and Stuart Laughon Commitment to Community Award honors the dedicated service of RMC Board of Trustees member Frank E. “Pepper” Laughon ’59 and his wife Stuart and is given to a student organization or individual making significant contributions to enrich the lives of others. Pepper Laughon serves on the Student Affairs Committee, Athletic Committee, and as chair of the Greek Alumni Advisory Board. Stuart Laughon’s support of innumerable activities further evidences the Laughons’ dedication to enriching the lives of
RMC students.

APO
The Theta Omega Chapter of Alpha Phi Omega at Randolph-Macon College is known for its wide range of service projects. This service fraternity has worked with Road Rescue Warriors to help transport foster animals; on a firewood project to bring wood to low-income neighborhoods without access to heating; on a cemetery project to assist in cleaning up and restoring graves; on a beautification project in the City of Ashland; and with the homeless community by preparing and bringing needed lunches.

APO has also earned recognition by collaborating with other groups, such as raising money for Relay for Life; volunteering with BARK; working with local Girl and Boy Scout Troops; joining the Campus Store in raising over $400 for the Hanover County Christmas Mother; and assisting Campus Safety with its Cruisin’ Safe Project. APO has also worked with Habitat for Humanity, Service Fellows, and other sororities and fraternities.

“APO members put their hearts into all of their service,” said Azdell. “As the staff nominator for APO observed, they take pride in caring for one another. They raised money to get a fellow member a train ticket when there was no other way for him to get home. Another project was a household supply drive in honor of a brother of APO whose hometown was devastated by a tornado.”

The members of APO volunteer their time and talents to reach out to others. For example, they orchestrated an on-campus Easter Egg hunt; participated in a mentor program where they read to at-risk children at a local elementary school; and volunteered with adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities through Hanover Arc.

The Laughons presented the award to Sydney Hinkle ’17, president of APO. In addition to a framed certificate, the award includes a monetary prize. APO members may use the prize money to attend the national APO convention, where they can share stories with and gather new ideas from other chapters throughout the United States.

APO advisors LaChelle Lewis ’12, Jamie Grant ’12, Jennifer Duffey (campus safety) and Psychology Professor Antonina Farmer were also recognized at the ceremony.