Featured photo by Sidelines Archive
Story by Jasmine Banks
Greek life can be an elemental aspect of the college experience for many. Getting involved can lead to unexpected lifelong friendships and connections. Middle Tennessee State University has multiple diverse sororities, each with unique values and philanthropic endeavors.
Here is a look into the sisterhood selection at MTSU.
Kappa Delta
Kappa Delta Sorority was founded in 1897 at the now titled Longwood University in Farmville, Virginia. Starting with four young women, the sorority is nationwide with 168 collegiate chapters.
This sorority has many philanthropic endeavors such as The Girl Scouts and Prevent Child Abuse.
Kappa Delta President Jasmyne Goodine said that the sorority emphasizes the importance of sisterhood. Goodine said that they do so by “building on confidence and accepting people how they are.”
Alpha Delta Pi
Alpha Delta Pi is considered the first secret society exclusively for college women, founded in 1851 at Wesleyan Female College in Macon, Georgia. In March 1969, Alpha Delta Pi became the first sorority on MTSU’s campus.
The sorority is dedicated to giving back to the community and is committed to the Ronald McDonald House Charities.
Alpha Delta Pi beliefs are built on their core values: sisterhood, social, scholarship and service. Member Anna Kate Hiett expressed how these core values helped her.
“When I started recruitment, I went into ADPi and felt like I could be my absolute genuine self,” said Hiett.
Zeta Tau Alpha
Zeta Tau Alpha member Hope Micheal said that the sorority’s beliefs are based on their motto, “Seeking the noblest.” She said this means to “always have an upstanding character, to be noble and to be kind to everybody.”
Zeta Tau Alpha was founded in 1898 at Longwood University in Farmville, Virginia. The sorority was established at MTSU in 1989 with the Iota Chi chapter.
The Iota Chi chapter on campus serves the community in various ways, but their focal point is breast cancer awareness.
Alpha Chi Omega
As for the sorority Alpha Chi Omega, their main philanthropic endeavors consist of being a part of the domestic violence awareness movement and prioritizing education.
Alpha Chi Omega member Ava Privette said that the sorority has had a good impact on her educational journey.
“We definitely focus on our academics, and we tend to prioritize that first. We take time to help each other out.“
The sorority was nationally founded Oct. 15, 1885, in Greencastle IN.
Delta Sigma Theta
Delta Sigma Theta was founded in 1913 at Howard University. Delta Sigma Theta established programs to provide and improve education, health care and strengthen African American families.
Sorority member Joy Griffin explained that their foundational beliefs are based on religion. “We were founded on Christian bases, so we value God, and we do scripture through our chapel. Also, one of our first events in 1913 was a voter’s march, so we really empathize with social action as well.”
Alpha Omicron Pi
Alpha Omicron Pi was founded on Jan. 2, 1897 at Barnard College in New York City. The sorority’s nationally philanthropic endeavors revolve around arthritis research and the American juvenile arthritis organization. Locally, they are involved in the special kids race.
Their foundational beliefs of their sorority are dignity, character and scholarship.
Alpha Kappa Alpha
Alpha Kappa Alpha is the first intercollegiate African American sorority that was founded on Jan. 15, 1908 at Howard University.
Alpha Kappa Alpha handles child hunger and promotes youth development and leadership skills in the younger generation. Their beliefs revolve around promoting unity and friendship among young women.
Chi Omega
Chi Omega was founded on April 5, 1895 at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, AR. Their philanthropy deals with the Make-a-Wish foundation and here at MTSU they are involved in Swishes for Wishes.
Each organization has their own unique beliefs and endeavors that make their sorority a sisterhood. If you want to learn more about each sorority go to the Pan-hellenic council.
To explore these sororities in more depth, the National Pan-Hellenic Council will be held on Feb. 6 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the Keathley University Theater.
To contact Lifestyles Editor Destiny Mizell and Assistant Lifestyles Editor Shamani Salahuddin, email [email protected]. For more news, visit www.mtsusidelines.com, or follow us on Facebook at MTSU Sidelines or on X at @MTSUSidelines.
