By Briana Ferguson, Contributing Writer ||
F&M welcomes Alpha Xi Delta, a new sorority, to campus this year. Alpha Xi Delta was invited to found a chapter at the College last year as a result of an extension process, and the organization has since been making efforts to reach out to the campus
community.
Last year, the Panhellenic Council (PHC), which governs the sororities on campus, invited Alpha Xi Delta to campus after deciding to increase the number of sororities on campus in order to provide more opportunities for F&M women interested in joining Greek Life. Alpha Xi Delta was chosen from three other possible sororities by F&M’s Extension Committee, which formed to evaluate potential candidates offer invitations for sororities to colonize at F&M.
“The Committee felt as though Alpha Xi Delta would be on par with the other four sororities, who also have vast national support, and thus would be able to make a name for themselves on campus without being overwhelmed by the strength of the other four,” said Kimberly Hilfrank ’15, president of PHC.
Alpha Xi Delta’s core goal is established through its motto, “Inspiring women to realize their potential.”
“Alpha Xi Delta provides Sisters with the inspiration they need to excel in these four areas,” said Kelsey Kobe, Alpha Xi Delta’s spokeswoman at F&M, referring to the sorority’s motto. Kobe is optimistic about the new chapter.
The new sorority has started to form connections to the campus, from having representatives table in the Steinman College Center (SCC) to meeting with various clubs to introduce itself to the F&M community.
“By the end of the semester, we would like our colony women at F&M to be fully emerged into the F&M community,” Kobe said, “Throughout the upcoming months, our colony women will participate in campus events, support the other fraternity and sorority organizations on campus, and attend chapter-wide retreats designed to help our Sisters bond and form lifelong friendships within Alpha Xi Delta.”
“I think Alpha Xi Delta will add much to the community, namely by providing another option for women on campus who have an interest in Greek life but do not feel at home in one of the already existing sororities,” Hilfrank said.
The founding sisters will have the opportunity to build this chapter from the ground up. Interested students have the opportunity to find out more about Alpha Xi Delta at the future events, including a recruitment kickoff on Monday, Sept. 15. There are recruitment events scheduled for Sept. 17, 18, and 23, which target students interested in learning more about pledging a sorority, specifically Alpha Xi Delta.
Alpha Xi Delta is one of the oldest sororities in the United States, having been founded in 1893 in Galesburg, Illinois. According to the foundation’s website, there are over 150,000 pledged members across 122 chapters.
First-year Briana Ferguson is a contributing writer. Her email is bferguso@fandm.edu.