Mu Alpha Chapter of Alpha Phi Omega at Georgetown University had expanded its membership rolls to include women and subsequently embarked on an ambitious program of service which would include hosting a sectional conference as well as a national convention. The decade marks the ascent of two of the chapter’s most revered alumni into public and fraternal service as well as the expansion of the escort program. The 1980s were not without their obstacles, however, and the seeds of discord would be planted during this decade.
In 1980, the walking escort program shifted from wearing Alpha Phi Omega armbands to more identifiable yellow shirts. Kevin O’Malley was described as a dutiful participant in this program.
Paul Albergo was a Vice President of Service for two years during the early years of the decade.
Jerry Schroeder, who was still a section chairman, also served as an advisor to a reference committee at the 1980 National Convention in Los Angeles, California. Jerry was then appointed in 1981 to the National Minority Concerns Committee, on which he served for a year.
The 25th Anniversary of the chapter was celebrated in 1981. It would be the first time a major anniversary would be celebrated with both men and women. It was also the first year that back-to-back Mu Alpha initiates would serve as section chair when Jerry Schroeder’s term ended and Janet Lee took the helm. The chapter president during this time was John Conway.
Although the Power Fund was mentioned in the 1970s, it is said that the Daniel Power Memorial Endowment began in 1981. This endowment exists as a memorial to Fr. Power and to provide a scholarship to students in need who care about community service.
The President of Mu Alpha in 1982 was Manny Miranda. Under his administration the chapter maintained the escort program. Other service projects included the Boy Scout troop, soup kitchens, men’s shelters, Little Sisters of the Poor, and the dance marathon. The chapter also ushered and maintained valet parking at major campus events, including the opening of the Bunn Intercultural Center, named for honorary brother Edward Bunn, past president of Georgetown University.
On January 13, 1982, Mu Alpha alumnus Edward Kyrznowski was killed in a plane crash in Washington, DC.
In the latter part of the spring of 1982, Mu Alpha hosted the Section 84 Conference – the theme was “Superconference.” At this gathering, plans were solidified for the DC area bid for the 1984 National Convention.
Jerry Schroeder was appointed to the Special Committee on fraternity standards. He was later elected a National Board Member-at-large (Precursor to National Program Director) and chaired the National Membership and Extension Committee. He also served as an advisor to a reference committee at the 1982 National Convention in Kansas City, Missouri, in which DC won the bid to host the 1984 National Convention.
The chapter president in 1983 was Jim Fitzgerald.
Jerry Schroeder was the National Convention Coordinator for the 1984 National Convention in Washington, DC, for which Mu Alpha was a host chapter. Jerry also served as an advisor to a reference committees in 1984 and 1986.
The minimum drinking age in Washington, DC was raised to 21 after September 1986. Virginia and Maryland had already raised their legal drinking ages to 21 in the preceding years. This change in the law had a profound affect on the entire Georgetown culture and Mu Alpha chapter was no exception. The chapter implemented an alcohol policy for the first time. Meet the Chapter, a signature “wine and cheese” event to recruit new members, became an event resembling an information session with a formal program. The New Brother parties were also affected by this change in the law.
Jerry Schroeder was elected National Vice President at the 1986 National Convention in Houston, Texas.
Arkansas Governor Bill Clinton was named Honorary Chairman of the Alpha Phi Omega Capital Campaign in fall 1987. This fundraising drive was implemented to raise money for the building of a new, permanent national office for the fraternity.
Also in fall 1987, Mu Alpha sponsored a Halloween party for the children in the CIPRA program. Standing for the Center for Immigration Policy and Refugee Assistance, CIPRA tutored underprivileged children and helped them adjust to American life. This program was counted as a National Service Day project.
In the spring of 1988, the existence of a secret society was discovered at Georgetown. Several collegians and alumni were said to be involved in the Stewards Society. The discovery of this organization set campus media ablaze and caused a great disruption between brothers. The external uproar about the Stewards gained the attention of the Washington Post, while the internal discord between Mu Alpha brothers reached the attention of the National Board of Directors of Alpha Phi Omega.
The walking escort program was expanded to a van escort program under the leadership of Rob Tobin during the spring of 1988.
Andre Robinson was elected Section 84 Chairman in 1988. John Harding was elected to serve as president of the Mu Alpha Alumni Association.
Jerry Schroeder was re-elected National Vice President of Alpha Phi Omega at the 1988 National Convention in Denver, Colorado.
