As part of an ongoing collaboration with the Washington State University Omega Chapter of Alpha Chi Omega (a national women’s fraternity), Linda Mittelhammer, Director of Community Relations for the Lauren McCluskey Foundation, partnered with student Kelly Colbourne, alumna Barbara Calapristi, and members of the Omega collegiate and alumnae chapters to incorporate Lauren’s Promise into the King Alpha Chi competition. This annual event invites fraternities to participate in friendly, healthy competitions to earn the title of King Alpha Chi.
Prior to the event, Linda Mittelhammer and Jill McCluskey visited the Omega Chapter’s house to share Lauren’s story, the Lauren McCluskey Foundation, and introduce Lauren’s Promise to the sorority members. The Lauren’s Promise portion of the competition, which took place on Tuesday, January 28, drew over 300 members of the Washington State University greek community to make Lauren’s Promise. At the event, attendees pledged to listen to and believe individuals facing threats or relationship violence, raising critical awareness about the severity of these issues on college campuses.
From Jill and Linda speaking at the Omega Chapter’s house, the King Alpha Chi competition, and the broader collaboration between Alpha Chi Omega and the Lauren McCluskey Foundation, more than an additional 400 greek students and alumni have made Lauren’s Promise in recent months. The collaboration has also lead to numerous opportunities to expand the program’s presence at the University of Idaho, University of Utah, across the Washington State University panhellenic council, and Alpha Chi Omega chapters nationally. The program is a part of a larger Day of Promise initiative lead by Linda Mittelhammer where communities and organizations come together in solidarity around Lauren’s Promise and an improved response to relationship violence on college campuses.
About Lauren’s Promise
Lauren’s Promise is a pledge open to anyone—students, faculty, staff, parents, or community members—to signal that they provide a safe space. Those who take the pledge commit to listening to and believing individuals threatened by or experiencing relationship violence, while helping connect them to support resources. By making Lauren’s Promise, participants help shift campus cultures that often dismiss or mishandle dating violence and stalking.
You can make Lauren’s Promise and request stickers here.
Alpha Chi Omega (ΑΧΩ): Omega Chapter
Founded on October 15, 1885, at DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana, Alpha Chi Omega is a women’s fraternity dedicated to fostering powerful, transformative connections among members. Through its Real. Strong. Women. Experience, the organization empowers women to lead, grow, serve, and build impactful communities.
The Omega Chapter at Washington State University, established in 1916, encourages members to thrive not only within the fraternity but also in their broader academic and personal pursuits.
Learn more about the Omega Chapter of Alpha Chi Omega here.
