Omega Delta Sigma () National Veterans Fraternity, also known as ODS, is a leadership and service based co-ed fraternity.

History

Omega Delta Sigma was founded at the

University of Florida The University of Florida (Florida or UF) is a public land-grant research university in Gainesville, Florida. It is a senior member of the State University System of Florida, traces its origins to 1853, and has operated continuously on its ...

in 1999 as a way for veterans to come together, share experiences, and meet other veterans. The founders were: * Carlos Espitia (USMC) serving as University of Florida Chapter President, National Chapter President * Dave Morton (USN), serving as Santa Fe / Saint Leo University Chapters President, National Chapter Vice President * Scott Raeburn (USMC) * Jason Cottey (USAF) * John Travis Rivero (US Army), K.I.A. 2002 Since its founding, Omega Delta Sigma has established a number of other chapters located across the United States.Noted in it
history, national website
accessed 28 August 2022.

Purpose

has three goals: * To facilitate the transition from military life to collegiate life and to provide a network of contacts * Provide support within the fraternity * Offer services to veterans

Leadership

National Presidents *2000–2009 Carlos Espitia *2009–2012 Peter Ficnerski *2012–2016 Sam Smith *2016–Present Vincent Rivera

Philanthropy

Omega Delta Sigma donates to

Wounded Warrior Project Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) is an American charity and veterans service organization that offers a variety of programs, services and events for wounded veterans of the military actions following September 11, 2001. It operates as a nonprofit ...

, Support The Troops, and

Toys for Tots Toys for Tots is a program run by the United States Marine Corps Reserve which distributes toys to children whose parents cannot afford to buy them gifts for Christmas. The program was founded in 1947 by reservist Major Bill Hendricks. Th ...

. In addition, each chapter organizes their own philanthropy events.

Chapters established

* National Headquarters: National Chapter: 2009 * Florida Alpha:

: 1999 * Florida Beta:

Saint Leo University Saint Leo University is a private Roman Catholic liberal arts university in St. Leo, Florida. It was established in 1889. The university is associated with the Holy Name Monastery, a Benedictine convent, and Saint Leo Abbey, a Benedictine mon ...

: 1999 * Texas Alpha:

Texas A&M-Kingsville Texas (, ; Spanish: ''Texas'', ''Tejas'') is a state in the South Central region of the United States. At 268,596 square miles (695,662 km2), and with more than 29.1 million residents in 2020, it is the second-largest U.S. state by bo ...

: 2009 * Pennsylvania Alpha: Pennsylvania State University University Park: 2010 * Nevada Alpha: University of Nevada Reno: 2011 * California Alpha: California State University Fresno: 2011 * Massachusetts Alpha:

University of Massachusetts The University of Massachusetts is the five-campus public university system and the only public research system in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The university system includes five campuses (Amherst, Boston, Dartmouth, Lowell, and a medical ...

Amherst: 2012 * Ohio Beta:

University of Cincinnati The University of Cincinnati (UC or Cincinnati) is a public research university in Cincinnati, Ohio. Founded in 1819 as Cincinnati College, it is the oldest institution of higher education in Cincinnati and has an annual enrollment of over 44,0 ...

: 2012 * Pennsylvania Beta:

Pennsylvania State University Altoona Penn State Altoona is a commonwealth campus of The Pennsylvania State University located in Logan Township, Pennsylvania. It is one of four full-fledged four year institutions in the Commonwealth Campus network. The full-time student count was ...

: 2013 * Pennsylvania Gamma: Pennsylvania State University Lehigh Valley: 2014 * New Jersey Alpha:

William Paterson University William Paterson University, officially William Paterson University of New Jersey (WPUNJ), is a public university in Wayne, New Jersey. It is part of New Jersey's public system of higher education. Founded in 1855 and was named after American ju ...

: 2015 * Illinois Alpha:

Illinois State University Illinois State University (ISU) is a public university in Normal, Illinois. Founded in 1857 as Illinois State Normal University, it is the oldest public university in Illinois. The university emphasizes teaching and is recognized as one of th ...

: 2015 * Pennsylvania Delta:

Pennsylvania College of Technology Pennsylvania College of Technology (Penn College) is a public college in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. It is affiliated with, but a self-governing entity of, Pennsylvania State University. As an applied technology college (known by the locals and ...

: 2015 * Louisiana Alpha:

University of New Orleans The University of New Orleans (UNO) is a public research university in New Orleans, Louisiana. It is a member of the University of Louisiana System and the Urban 13 association. It is classified among "R2: Doctoral Universities – High rese ...

: March 14, 2018

References

External links

* {{official website, http://www.omegadeltasigma.com Student societies in the United States 2001 establishments in Florida Student organizations established in 2001