Back in 2015, faculty member, Dr. Sandi Meggert was tasked with setting up an honor society for the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program (CMHC) at Antioch University Seattle. Known for her sense of humor, Meggert wanted the chapter title to have the acronym, OMG.
“The originator of this project was the longtime, much-loved faculty member Sandi Meggert,” said AUS provost Dr. Ben Pryor. “This is kind of an echo of her legacy.”
The completion of the project was drawn out for three years, but the goal was finally realized in January of 2019 when the Omega Mu Gamma Chapter of Chi Sigma Iota Counseling Academic and Professional Honor Society International at Antioch University Seattle became officially recognized.
“I remember walking to Sandi’s office to find her laughing to herself, which if you knew Sandi this happened often,” said Mariaimeé Gonzalez, PhD, Core Faculty in the MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program. “Sandi looked at me with her piercing bright eyes and a big smile and said, ‘We are going to be called OMG!’ We had to use the Greek language system to create a new chapter name. She thought it would be funny if we had OMG as our Greek abbreviation, so she found the words and the rest is history. So why are we named OMG? Because of our beloved Sandi.”
Eligibility for membership is extended only to those students in the Antioch University Seattle Clinical Mental Health Counseling department who have earned an Intermediate Competency in at least 75% of courses completed in the CMHC program, deemed promising for endorsement as a professional counselor whose ethical judgment and behavior will be exemplary (CSI Bylaws Article 4.1). Students must be in good standing and have completed a minimum of two terms. Membership dues are expected. Invitations for memberships will start to be sent out spring term 2019 from student advisors. Membership in OMG will allow them to apply for scholarships unique to the honor society, wear an honors sash at graduation, and participate in honor society activities.
“Sandi thought it was the funniest thing which is why this accomplishment is so special. It was her last joke on us,” added Dr. Gonzalez. “Thank you, Sandi, for making sure I laugh every time I think of OMG, I truly miss you. So in remembrance of Sandi, we can now call ourselves OMG.”
Portrait of Dr. Sandi Meggert by Heather Danso.