Indiana State University Newsroom

Christina Cantrell sat shocked as she heard her name called for sorority Chapter Adviser of the Year for the U.S. and Canada.

"It was very flattering to be able to receive this award," Cantrell said, who serves as the adviser for Indiana State University's Alpha Omicron Pi (AOII) chapter. She received the award during the annual AOII convention, which took place in downtown Chicago in June.

"I feel like the chapter has really turned around and to be recognized for my dedication to the chapter it just ... there are no words. I just don't feel it should be me, I feel like other people deserve it more than me," she said.

Tracy Machtan, assistant director of fraternity and sorority life at Indiana State, said Cantrell is deserving of the national distinction.

"Serving as a sorority chapter adviser is a large commitment and requires a lot of passion. Alpha Omicron Pi is fortunate to have a great, committed adviser like Christina. She is certainly deserving of this national distinction," she said.

Cantrell's journey to award winner began as a freshman at Indiana State when she decided to join a sorority to get involved and meet new people. She chose AOII because of the sisterhood, with their close friendships and similar interests and ideas.

Following her graduation in 2007, she wanted to stay involved with the sorority. Cantrell decided to study student affairs and higher education. She realized she wanted to help other women become involved on campus and to enjoy the Greek life as she did.

"It has given me a lot, I have received scholarships and traveled with AOII to conventions," said Cantrell. "I didn't expect I would ever do it, but it is the most rewarding thing. I get to work with them all through the year and get to see them go on and graduate and do different things I love to be their references, I love getting phone calls for reference checks, because these are my girls."

The national organization of Alpha Omicron Pi was founded in1897. Indiana State's chapter was founded in 1953 with a mission of promoting friendship for a lifetime, inspiring academic excellence and lifelong learning and developing leadership skills.

"Alpha Omicron Pi is a great organization. I was a college student and got my masters, got married and had a child. AOII has been there for all of it and that is amazing to me. The support, the sisterhood, the friendships, everything that I have received for just being a part of it," Cantrell said. "I could not imagine doing anything else and working with any other girls."

Photo: http://isuphoto.smugmug.com/photos/i-QssW7wx/0/L/i-QssW7wx-L.jpg - Christina Cantrell, advisor for Indiana State University's chapter of Alpha Omicron Pi, poses with Allison Alligier, international president of the sorority, after being named Chapter Adviser of the Year for the United States and Canada.

Writer: Beth Pickerill, media relations assistant, Office of Communications and Marketing, bpickerill1@sycamores.indstate.edu