Just like crazed parties and Ivy League schools, the world of fraternities and sororities is a popular image associated with the American college experience.
At Emporia State, Greek-lettered organizations engage in heavier recruitment efforts during the first week of fall classes. From Aug. 21-24, sororities perform formal recruitment, while fraternities hold informal house events several days in a row for interested students.
Marissa Gerrman, vice president of membership recruitment for the Panhellenic Association at ESU and senior marketing major, said she was once skeptical about joining a sorority, but that “there’s always stereotypes about Greek life.”
All Hollywood fiction aside, Gerrman said students who are involved in the Greek lifestyle benefit from leadership opportunities, campus involvement and new friendships.
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Similarly, Josiah D’albini, president of the Interfraternity Council and senior sociology major, described Greek life as “an expanded version of the leadership minor” because he has learned to work with many and said the bond with his fraternity brotherhood is unbreakable.
ESU claims a total of six sororities and seven fraternities with varying backgrounds and sizes. For students who think Greek life offers something they are looking for, D’albini and Gerrman say the door is wide open.
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Alpha Kappa Lambda
Charter Established at ESU: April 11, 2008
Values: Judeo-Christian principles of Leadership, Scholarship, Loyalty, and Self-Support.
Number of Members: 31 actives
“We are diverse group of self-driven and goal-oriented men who seek to make a change within themselves, and the world around them.”
Philanthropy: Raising awareness for cystic fibrosis (national), SOS (local), Sleep in a Box (local)
President quote: “Do not let your time at ESU merely be a point between high school and your career, but rather utilize all opportunities, Greek Life included, to transform yourself into something memorable.” – Andrew Potter, president of Alpha Kappa Lambda, senior secondary social studies and English education
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Kappa Sigma
Charter Established at ESU: March 25, 1977
Values: Leadership, Fellowship, Scholarship, Service.
Number of Members: 14 actives
Distinguishing characteristic: “Diversity of our members. We come from different types of backgrounds, different majors and lifestyles, yet we can still connect with one another.”
Philanthropy: Military Heroes Campaign
President Quote: “Kappa Sigma single handedly changed my college experience the moment I became a pledge and then an active member years ago. The opportunities I have had in Kappa Sigma have made me a better man for the future and I owe it to the Fraternity that is ‘Number One, Second to None.” -Matt Feldkamp, senior recreation major
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Phi Delta Theta
Charter Established at ESU: Jan. 18, 1969
Values: academic excellence, fellowship, community service, and the development of a moral compass.
friendship, sound learning, and rectitude.
23 active members
Distinguishing quality: Our belief in excellence and integrity to the fraternity, Emporia State University, and the world around it.
Philanthropy: ALS Association (national), S.O.S. (local)
President quote: “The men of Phi Delta Theta would like to extend our welcome to all new and returning students. ESU is truly a place where the man or woman you are will meet the man or woman you’ll become. Take every opportunity to get involved and never be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone. We welcome men from all walks of life to join Phi Delta Theta and hope to hear from you. Phi Delta Theta’s doors are always open.” -Garion Masterson, senior digital audio production
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Sigma Phi Epsilon
Charter Established at ESU: Feb. 10, 1951
Values: Virtue, Diligence, and Brotherly Love
Number of Members: 15 actives
Distinguishing quality: The red door in front of our house which symbolizes brotherhood and extends a welcome to fraternity members from any time or place.
Philanthropy: Teeter Totter-a-thon
“This summer, I was lucky enough to attend our Grand Chapter Conclave in Dallas, Texas. During our first night there a motivational speaker by the name of Michael Maddock who quoted business investor Warren Buffett. He said “Life is like a snowball. The important thing is finding wet snow and a really long hill.” The really long hill being your fraternity, and the wet snow being the values and lessons you learn along the way.” -Daniel Reardon, senior speech and communication major
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Sigma Pi Epsilon
Charter Established at ESU: March 6, 1976
Principles: Scholarship, Chivalry and Leadership.
Distinguishing quality: Our members are diverse and we have come together to help each other grow as leaders and push each other to succeed.
15 active members
Philanthropy: Living so Big
“As a member of Sigma Pi International you will experience a brotherhood known worldwide. Alone one may be a somewhat effective leader, but having our brotherhood behind you can lead to changes worldwide.” -Geoff Cross
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Sigma Tau Gamma
Charter Established at ESU: June 28, 1920
Value, Learning, Leadership, Excellence, Benefit, Integrity
Number of members: 35 actives
We are the oldest fraternity on campus, becoming Sigma Tau Gamma in 1922. We hold ourselves to being better men.
Philanthropy: Special Olympics
“Sigma Tau Gamma is a great way to open yourself to involvement on campus. Our fraternity has men from all walks of life that come together to form our Brotherhood.” -Luke Farnsworth, senior health and physical education major
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Sigma Rhomeo Delta Iota
Charter Established at ESU: July 15, 2012
Motto: “Prepare today for tomorrow’s success.”
Mission: “To empower men to build stronger families and communities through a standard of academic, social, and cultural excellence.”
Number of Members: 7 actives
Distinguishing characteristic: “Unique brotherhood of men edifying others.”
Philanthropy: Peace Over Violence, Big Brothers & Big Sisters, Let’s Move
“The Fraternal Order of Classy Gentlemen: Sigma Rhomeo, Inc. is excited to begin our second year here at Emporia State, and we welcome you to come join our grand organization as we continue to build on our foundation laid here in the City of Emporia and on the campus of Emporia State University. ” -Jason Brooks
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Alpha Sigma Alpha
Charter Established at ESU: Nov. 17, 1917
Growth, Generosity, Enjoyment, Responsibility, Relationships, Balance, Integrity, Learning
The purpose of Alpha Sigma Alpha is to foster close friendships between members and to develop women of poise and purpose.
Distinguishing quality: We were four-star chapter, five years in a row. We are among four chapters nationwide to receive this award.
37 active members
Philanthropy: Girls on the Run (national), S. June Smith Center (national), Special Olympics (national), Relay for Life in Memory of Becky Bikle and Diedra Smith (local)
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Alpha Sigma Tau
Charter Established at ESU: Dec. 4, 2010
Values: Intellect, excellence, Graciousness, Respect, Connections
Motto: Active, Self-Reliant, Trustworthy
Number of Members: 11 actives
Distinguishing quality: Community Service
Philanthropy: Pine Mountain Settlement School (national), Kansas Human Society (local)
“Alpha Sigma Tau highly believes in thinking globally and acting locally. We want to help improve our community to the best of our efforts.” -Shae Stringer
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Chi Omega
Charter Established at ESU: April 5, 1961
Motto: “Hellenic culture and Christian ideals”
Values: Friendship, Personal Integrity, Service to others, Academic excellence and intellectual pursuits, community and campus development, career and personal development.
47 active members
Distinguishing qualities: Nu Zeta prides ourselves on over 50 years of community involvement and the bettering of the women that walk through our doors. Our unique personalities form an unbreakable sisterhood.
Philanthropy: Make A Wish
“We are women that live out our values in our day to day lives and accept those that come as they are.” -Carley Hansen
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Sigma Sigma Sigma
Charter Established at ESU: 1917
Values: Faith, hope, power, wisdom, love
Number of Members: 32 actives
Distinguishing quality: “Our mission statement: to provide a lifelong sorority experience for women through ensuring a perpetual bond of friendship, developing a strong womanly character, and promoting high standards of ethical conduct”
Philanthropy: Children’s Play Therapy (national), Plumb Place (local).
President quote: “Tri Sigma has taught me so many quality life lessons and I have made life long friends in the process and would love to share the gift of Tri Sigma with other women!” -Dylan Meeker
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Zeta Phi Beta Psi Tau
Dec. 3, 2011
Scholarship, Service, Sisterly Love, Finer Womanhood
A service based, historically African-American, greek lettered organization who not only is dedicated to furthering our sorority, but also to creating positive change within our communities
Number of Members: Two actives
Phinanthropy: Z-H.O.P.E. (Zetas Helping Other People Excel), Stork’s Nest, March of Dimes
“Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. has been a thriving, service based-sorority since its founding in 1920. The Psi Tau Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. hopes to use the principles created by our five founders to enable the growth of our chapter and assist in increasing the diversity, academic success, and community environment already established at Emporia State.” Brittany Riggs, President of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. Psi Tau Chapter
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Sigma Gamma Rho
The Bulletin was not able to contact Sigma Gamma Rho.
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