Student Life Expands with Addition of New Sorority
By Michael Jasek, Greek Affairs, and Jenny Pedraza, University Marketing Communications
"The University of West Florida Office of Greek Affairs has announced that Alpha Chi Omega will become the fourth sorority on campus, with recruitment beginning in the fall semester on Sept. 18. The chapter will join eight other groups on the UWF Main Campus associated with the Panhellenic and Interfraternity councils.
This is the first time since 1990 that a new Greek chapter has been invited to establish on campus, a process that takes several months. The Office of Greek Affairs began the process by notifying all organizations not currently on campus that UWF was open to expansion. Seven national chapters submitted materials expressing interest in establishing a chapter at UWF. A university committee looked over the submissions and narrowed the decision down to three. The three finalist organizations visited UWF, met with various people and made a formal presentation to the expansion committee.
"After meeting with the Greek Affairs staff, other campus administrators and members of the Greek community, we are confident that UWF is a university where Alpha Chi Omega members can excel as individual women, as a chapter and as contributing members of the Panhellenic and campus communities," said Suzette Bewley Mathis, executive director of Alpha Chi Omega.
UWF is seen as a perfect fit for the sorority, which focuses on friendship, leadership, learning and service, as many local alumnae are prepared to help during the transition to ensure the chapter's successful integration into UWF student life.
"We are very excited to get started," said Mendy Tarwater, regional coordinator for Alpha Chi Omega. "Our Pensacola-area alumnae will be instrumental to the success of this chapter, and they are eager to jump in and support a new chapter."
Greek expansion will continue with the addition of a new fraternity, Kappa Sigma, which promotes academic achievement and involvement in all aspects of campus life. Currently a colony consisting of 28 members, it is estimated that it will take approximately one year to receive a charter. Once the group receives a charter, it will become a formal chapter at UWF. University personnel are also working with the national headquarters of Phi Beta Sigma, a historically black Greek letter organization which promotes brotherhood, scholarship and service, to establish a chapter on campus.
For more information, contact the Office of Greek Affairs at (850) 474-2384 or visit
Greek Affairs Web site."
I know one of my AXO friends from high school is super excited because she transferred to UWF to be closer to home last year.
