U of A Order of Omega Greek Hall of Fame announces two alumni for the Class of 2025
As one of the University of Arizona Greek community's highest honors, the Order of Omega Greek Hall of Fame Award recognizes fraternity and sorority alumni members whose exemplary life achievements have brought great honor and prestige.
Stephanie Gauchat Carriere | Gamma Phi Beta
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Stephanie Gauchat Carriere is a distinguished leader in education and interfraternal service. She earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in special education and rehabilitation, specializing in emotional and behavioral disorders, from the University of Arizona in 1991 and 1993. As an undergraduate, she held multiple leadership roles in Gamma Phi Beta’s Alpha Epsilon chapter, including serving as vice president, and was a member of the Pride of Arizona Pom Line. She also served on Gamma Phi Beta’s inaugural International Collegiate Board in 1990, marking the beginning of her lifelong dedication to the sorority.
Stephanie began her career as a special education teacher, earning recognition as New Teacher of the Year in Clark County School District. She later transitioned into administration, leading initiatives to enhance curriculum and support educators.
A dedicated Gamma Phi Beta volunteer for 25 years, Stephanie has helped shape the organization at both local and international levels. She has been instrumental in training alumnae volunteers, supporting collegiate members, and advancing Panhellenic initiatives. She served as Gamma Phi Beta’s chief panhellenic officer, the sorority’s liaison to the National Panhellenic Conference, and a total specialist for the NPC. Her leadership extended to four years on Gamma Phi Beta’s International Council, including two years as vice chair.
Now, as international president and Gamma Phi Beta’s delegate to the NPC, she continues to champion the sorority’s mission. Stephanie has also contributed as a board member of Gamma Phi Beta’s Facilities Management Company and currently serves as a trustee of the Gamma Phi Beta Foundation. Her exceptional service has been recognized with prestigious honors, including the Phoenix Panhellenic Association’s Woman of Distinction Award and Gamma Phi Beta’s Helen M. Dodge, Loyalty, and Service Roll Awards.
Beyond her sorority work, Stephanie dedicated 13 years to Girl Scouts – Arizona Cactus-Pine Council, serving in leadership roles and earning multiple honors for her service. With a career marked by leadership, mentorship and service, Stephanie remains an influential figure in both education and the interfraternal community.
Melnda Burke | Pi Beta Phi
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Melinda Burke has had a distinguished career in both the business world and academia. She earned a Bachelor of Science from the U of A College of Agriculture, Life and Environmental Sciences, majoring in textiles and clothing, and a Master of Science from the U of A School of Family and Consumer Science. She is the recipient of several awards, including the 2010 College of Agriculture, Life and Environmental Sciences Award for Outstanding Effort in Development and a 2008 Professional Achievement Award from the Alumni Association. She was selected as an Honorary Bobcat in 2017 and was inducted into Pi Phi Sorority as an alumna in 2018. Melinda's diverse background includes experience in business, management and higher education. A dedicated alumna and former U of A professor, Burke’s U of A student and alumni connections are far reaching. She enjoys meeting alumni, making vital connections and embodying the Wildcat spirit intrinsic to the U of A experience as a Wildcat for Life.
Melinda served as the president of the U of A Alumni Association from 2011 to 2020 and was focused on engaging with alumni worldwide to build strong connections with the University of Arizona. She worked closely with the colleges to ensure alumni connected with the programs and people that were of greatest interest to them, including sororities, fraternities and other campus organizations. She launched the Bear Down Network to facilitate alumni connections and launched the Wildcat Mentor Society. She led the activities with the Wildcat for Life Leadership Council and the UAAA Governing Board, supported the national network of alumni chapters and clubs, and served on the U of A Foundation Board of Trustees.
Previously, Burke served as the director of the U of A Terry J. Lundgren Center for Retailing in the Norton School of Human Ecology, where she was a Petsmart Professor of Practice and built corporate partnerships with industry leaders to expand the educational opportunities for retail students. Burke also launched an award-winning program, Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) and competed annually in the SIFE National competition, becoming National Champion in 2008 and competing in the SIFE World Cup in Singapore. She coordinated the annual global retailing conference hosted by Terry J. Lundgren in Tucson. In 2010, she established the Terry J. Lundgren Center for Retailing Endowment for Excellence with a $1.3 million gift from the retailing and fashion industries to support students in the retailing and consumer sciences major.
In 2019, Melinda and her husband Bruce established the Bruce and Melinda Burke Scholarship Endowment in the W.A. Franke Honors College. Since retiring, Melinda has volunteered for several nonprofits and currently serves as board chair for Literacy Connects. She enjoys golf, pickleball, cycling, traveling and spending time with her six grandchildren. And she remains an avid Wildcat fan.
About the Order of Omega Greek Hall of Fame
The Order of Omega Greek Hall of Fame Award was established to recognize outstanding University of Arizona Alumni who have made a positive impact on the Greek community as well as the larger community and who continue to demonstrate the positive qualities of Greek leaders. This award recognizes University of Arizona Greek Alumni in the areas of service to their local and or national fraternity, to their local community, the University, the state, and the nation. Past inductees into the Order of Omega Greek Hall of Fame have included journalist and educator Edith Auslander, UArizona athletics pioneer Mary Roby, former UArizona Alumni Association President Marvin D. "Swede" Johnson, former Arizona State Sen. Doug Holsclaw, former U.S. Sen. Barry Goldwater, Col. Jon Robson, p o lar e x p lo re r an d mo u n t a in e e r Alison Levine, "Sesame Street" co-creator Joan Ganz Cooney, former World Presidents' Organization Chairman Warren Rustand, former Arizona governor and U.S. Sen. Paul Fannin, former Arizona Secretary of State Betsey Bayless, TV journalist Geraldo Rivera, and sports commentator Alex Flanagan.