Story by Destinee Marking, Staff Writer
Photo by Julie Boeker/The News
Order of Omega chose a Murray State student out of 140 applicants nationwide to be awarded a top scholarship.
Emma Cook, junior from Marble Hill, Missouri, and president of Murray State’s Alpha Sigma Alpha chapter, received the 2017 Daisy Wood Scholarship valued at $2,000 from Order of Omega.
Order of Omega is a Greek leadership honor society. According the organization’s official website, juniors and seniors, both men and women, who hold leadership positions and are highly involved within their fraternity or sorority, campus and local community are invited to join. Members are also the top 3 percent of students at each institution.
The Murray State Order of Omega chapter meets monthly. Members work on up to two service projects per month that affect the school and the community.
The motivation to initially become involved with Order of Omega, Cook said, came from admiring her sorority sisters.
“The girls I looked up to in my own chapter were in it, so that pushed me to interview and apply,” Cook said.
To apply for Order of Omega scholarships, Cook said she first had to submit an essay to the Murray State chapter. From there, two people from the chapter were selected to apply for the national scholarships. The application involves a resume, list of leadership roles and involvement, essays on why she deserved a scholarship, what Order of Omega has done for her and her involvement in her own Greek organization.
Cook said she believes her overall involvement is what made her stand out.
“I served as president of my sorority as a sophomore. This is my second term and I’m vice president of our Order of Omega chapter,” Cook said.
Emily Perry, sophomore from Paducah, Kentucky, said Cook is hardworking and deserving of the accolades she receives.
“She has such a giving attitude, loving heart and leader’s mentality,” Perry said. “When she does something, she does it with her whole heart.”
Although a successful leader, Perry said Cook does not let any power get to her head.
“She doesn’t do anything halfway and always has a humble attitude,” Perry said.
Emily Mitchell, senior from Spottsville, Kentucky, and president of Murray State’s Order of Omega chapter, said Cook’s ability to be a leader and her personality are what stand out about her.
“The passion that she has for philanthropy is evident through her sorority, as well as the ideas she brings to Order of Omega,” Mitchell said. “I believe her heart for service and her radiant personality allowed her to show our headquarters just how much she deserved this.”