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Fraternity recognized for community service The student-members of MUSC’s Psi Omega Dental Fraternity’s Sigma Chi chapter are committed to achieving excellence not only in their academics as they study to be dentistry professionals but also as active volunteers helping others throughout the Tri-county community.    Last fall, the Sigma Chi chapter was chosen among 40-plus national chapters to receive the National Founders Award for Community Service. The award was presented during the American Dental Association Annual Convention in Las Vegas Oct. 15. This excellence award is presented to a chapter that exhibits a commitment and desire to serve in their community.   “It’s an honor to be recognized among our peers,” said Holly Mangum, a third-year dental student and president of Psi Omega Fraternity. “It shows that even at our size, we can work together to collaborate and make things happen.”      With 60 active members, the Sigma Chi chapter has been busy hosting and working in a variety of events. In 2006 they logged more than 1,500 volunteer hours. Students devoted their time and energy to events such as the Give Kids a Smile Day, Casino Night, Special Olympics held annually at The Citadel, Psi Omega Alumni activities and other activities.   In addition, members actively commit their time working at three free dental clinics in Johns Island, North Charleston and downtown Charleston. As a result of their hard work, they collected and distributed more than $2,000 in philanthropic donations to support the free dental clinics, plus other charities. Their funds also provide for the Ian Burns Scholarship Fund. Burns, a dental student and Psi Omega pledge, died in January 2004.   The group currently is preparing for the upcoming Psi Olympics event at James Island County Park on March 25. The event features fun, outdoor activities in the spirit of good competition to raise funds benefiting the three local free dental clinics.   “Students in our group have a heart for community service,” Mangum said. “Although we are very busy studying for tests or other activities, each of us are conscious of the need to volunteer in the community and help the underserved.”   This fraternity of young men and women are focused on maintaining and advancing the high standards of dentistry by instilling in its members the spirit of friendly cooperation and to promote the advancement of the dental profession in its methods of teaching, practice, research and ethics and policies. These objectives, as well as following the guiding principles of philanthropy, social and academics are the basis for MUSC’s Sigma Chi chapter. The group strives to incorporate these principles in every event they host.      “Their spirit of volunteerism is reflective of the dental profession,” said Rick Albenesius, DMD, associate professor, Division of Oral Medicine, Department of Stomatology and faculty chapter advisor. “We like to see more dental students participate in outreach activities.”      Psi Omega Dental Fraternity is organized into five regions or provinces. MUSC is located in Province 4, which represents dental schools and program chapters in Maryland, Alabama, North Carolina, Florida, Kentucky, Tennessee and South Carolina. In 1995 the fraternity’s central office was relocated to Charleston. Sigma Chi Chapter: Holly Mangum, President; Laura Mills, Vice President; Holly Wright, Secretary; Jennifer Britt, Treasurer and Erin Creech, Alumni Chair     Friday, March 23, 2007 Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Island Publications at 849-1778, ext. 201.