ABOUT KON
The National Organization
The mission of Kappa Omicron Nu, at the national level, is to help to develop "empowered leaders in family and consumer sciences." In order to accomplish this goal, the honor society emphasizes scholarship, diversity, research, and graduate study.
The national office provides many services to the local chapter, including financial support for scholarships and the distribution of the chapter newsletter, titled Kappa Omicron Nu Forum, to members and advisors.
More detailed information, including facts about available scholarships, may be found at the KON national web site.
Penn State University Chapter
The Tau Chapter of the Omicron Nu Honor Society was founded at Penn State in the 1940s. This chapter's name was subsequently changed to Omicron Tau when Omicron Nu and Kappa Omicron Phi merged in 1990, creating Kappa Omicron Nu.
The Penn State Chapter counts Dr. Graham Spanier, current president of the university, among its members.
Chapter Awards of Excellence have been earned by the members and advisers in 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, and 1998. Our chapter won program awards for leadership, mentoring and cultural diversity in 1999.
Officers and student leaders have had the opportunity to attend National Leadership Conclaves in such cities as Orlando, Washington, D.C., Chicago, Dallas, and St. Louis.
Elements of professional development (for instance, resume and graduate school preparation), are integrated into monthly meetings. In addition, diversity-focused and mentoring programs, as well as community service are areas emphasized by this chapter.
The Penn State Chapters of Kappa Omicron Nu and Phi Upsilon Omicron, recognizing their common interests and goals, have been meeting together since 1990. Many students opt to apply for membership in both honor societies.