Alpha Omega Epsilon
- Remi Lehmen
- Sep 22
- 2 min read
I joined Alpha Omega Epsilon (A.O.E.), a professional and social sorority for women in STEM, during my sophomore year of college. From the start, A.O.E. gave me a supportive community of women who shared my passions for engineering, service, and friendship. Our chapter was guided by three pillars, sisterhood, professionalism, and philanthropy, all of which shaped my experience and growth during college.
I contributed through several committees, including Ritual, Scholarship, and others dedicated to fostering inclusion and supporting our members. One of my favorite contributions was hosting a session on mental health and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills, where I led a presentation and created a space for sisters to relax, reflect, and connect.
Philanthropy was a core part of our chapter, and I spent many weekends volunteering at Water Angels Ministry in Knoxville and Young-Williams Animal Shelter. We also organized smaller service projects, from making dog toys for shelters to preparing goodie bags for local groups. These experiences taught me the importance of giving back to my community in both small and large ways.
On the professional side, A.O.E. provided career-focused events such as resume and interview workshops, as well as faculty-student mixers. These experiences gave me valuable opportunities to strengthen my professional skills while also deepening my connections within the engineering community.
And at the heart of it all was sisterhood. I was part of the Daisy Family, a group within the sorority that became like my home away from home. Some of my best college memories came from Daisy family dinners, movie nights, and football watch parties hosted by my roommate and me. We also had themed date parties—like Y2K and Flapper Roaring 20s—as well as annual cabin retreats complete with bunkbeds, campfires, and plenty of sister bonding.
Formals were another highlight, especially those held at the beautiful Maple Grove Estate, a wedding venue that gave our events a magical feel. Even after graduation, A.O.E. continues to be an important part of my life. I’ve already attended one Daisy sister’s wedding and stayed connected with many others.
Looking back, A.O.E. gave me so much more than just events and activities;
it gave me lasting friendships, opportunities to serve, and a deeper sense of belonging as a woman in engineering.
