Delta Omega Honorary Society recognizes WVU chapter for outstanding service, scholarship and outreach
For the second consecutive year, Gamma Mu, the West Virginia University chapter of the Delta Omega Honorary Society in Public Health, was recognized as the national 2025 Chapter of the Year on Nov. 3, 2025, at the American Public Health Association Annual Meeting and Expo in Washington, D.C.
“Our chapter’s success at a national level is a testament to all the hard work our student leadership puts into our events and mission,” said Elizabeth Claydon, Ph.D., faculty adviser for Gamma Mu and associate professor in the WVU School of Public Health. “I am so proud to see the impact of all our work for our community, students and alumni.”
The Gamma Mu leadership team for the 2024-25 academic year consisted of 10 students ranging from undergraduate students to doctoral candidates. In May 2025, the organization welcomed 11 new members—including a mix of students, alumni, faculty and an honorary inductee.
Staying true to the society’s mission of service, scholarship and outreach, the leadership team provided students of all academic levels with a variety of opportunities for involvement in local outreach projects, networking events and professional development.
Among Delta Omega’s many projects and initiatives, one of the highlights was receiving the Seeding Sparksmini grant from Voices of Hunger to create a social media campaign focused on raising awareness about food insecurity. The students’ efforts significantly expanded the society’s outreach and helped foster important conversations around food access and equity within the local community.
In addition, members of the Gamma Mu Chapter participated in a variety of community outreach events throughout the year providing more than 400 hours of service. Activities included conducting virtual Naloxone opioid overdose training, collaborating with Pantry Plus More on monthly food distribution, volunteering for Literacy Volunteers of Monongalia and Preston Counties and Read Aloud WV used book sale, holding virtual Recovery Ally training, and other activities across the community.
Carrying out its commitment to scholarship, Delta Omega held its annual poster competition during the spring semester. Participants learned about the process of making a scientific poster--gaining tips for creating an effective poster for scientific conferences. Two poster winners, Sweta Mahato and Mawyah Bashatah, were awarded a $500 scholarship to attend the APHA Annual Meeting and Expo in Washington, D.C.
“Serving as Gamma Mu’s president for the past academic year has been extremely rewarding,” said Jordan Ceglar, president, Gamma Mu Chapter of the Delta Omega Public Health Honor Society for the 2025-2026 academic year. “Coming together with colleagues from across the School of Public Health has fostered a great collaboration for the betterment of our student body and surrounding community.”
The Gamma Mu chapter has been recognized several times by the Delta Omega National Office and Executive Committee for its leadership and dedication to service in communities across West Virginia.
About Delta Omega and the Gamma Mu Chapter
The Delta Omega Honorary Society in Public Health was founded in 1924 at Johns Hopkins University to promote the graduate study of public health, and to recognize outstanding achievement in the new field.
The Gamma Mu Chapter was founded in 2012 with its primary goals focused on service, scholarship and outreach. Aligned with the national organization’s community-service centered mission, the chapter channels much of its efforts into local organizations that benefit the greater Morgantown area, scholarship that helps advance WVU public health students in their academic and professional careers and outreach that engages its alumni members.
Learn more about becoming a member and connect with the Gamma Mu Chapter on Facebook and Instagram.
Top Photo: Gamma Mu Chapter of the Delta Omega Honorary Society faculty adviser Elizabeth Claydon (center) holds 2025 Chapter of the Year award presented during the awards ceremony at the APHA Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C. She is accompanied by Delta Omega poster competition winners Mawyah Bashatah (left) and Sweta Mahato (right).
Inset Photo: Member of Gamma Mu Chapter of the Delta Omega Honorary Society, Shaelee Nelson, assists with inventorying and stocking items at Pantry Plus More.
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lw/12/2/25