Sorority Women Continue to Excel on UK's Campus
Published: Monday, September 19, 2005
©2005 Kernel Press
(The University of Kentucky)
Many young women arrive at UK asking how to get involved on campus, how to become a leader, and how to improve their abilities both inside and outside the classroom. Often, joining a sorority can provide new and current students with leadership opportunities. Many UK sorority women have used the leadership skill that their sorority has provided as a starting point and have become highly involved on campus to make a difference in the UK Community.
Rachel Lovejoy, a marketing senior, pledged Kappa Kappa Gamma when she first came to UK as a freshman. Since then, she has served in a variety of positions within her sorority, including recruitment chair, and is currently serving as the president of Panhellenic.
"Because I joined a sorority, I have made many close friends, strengthened my leadership abilities and discovered my own potential," Lovejoy says.
Due to her experiences both with recruitment in Kappa and her involvement in Panhellenic recruitment this past fall, Lovejoy could now see recruiting for a company as a possible career path, something she would not have been exposed to had she not joined a sorority. Sororities allow many young women to have similar experiences. They discover strengths and talents that can be carried over into their careers and life after college.
Beyond simply developing leadership potential, sororities also provide young women with a network of contacts and mentors as they make their way toward their professions. Panhellenic is the second largest student organization on UK's campus, giving nearly 1800 women the opportunity to work and learn from, not only each other, but a large network of alumnae members who came before them.
In October, the Panhellenic Executive Council will be traveling to Houston, Texas where they will accept two national awards. They are being recognized for Overall Excellence and Recruitment, the two largest awards given at this biennial conference. Danielle Jarvis, a communications senior and a member of Delta Gamma, is currently the VP of Recruitment for the Panhellenic Council.
"We are so honored to be receiving these awards," Jarvis says, "especially after knowing how much work goes into the planning and execution of sorority recruitment."
Jarvis feels that her experience with Panhellenic has prepared her for the real world beyond what a classroom education could achieve on its own.
"The responsibility that came with overseeing recruitment for more than 800 potential members," Jarvis remarks, "dramatically improved my leadership and communication skills."
Jarvis and Lovejoy both agree that they were fortunate to have such an experienced, dedicated and involved advisor to guide them through their time as officers.
Dean of Greek Affairs, Susan West, has been at UK for over 15 years. In that time, she has won numerous awards, including Outstanding Advisor, a national NPC award. Through her guidance, the Panhellenic Council has won a national award at every NPC conference for the last 15 years.
"In the last 15 years," Dean West states, "the student leaders that I have worked with have continued to improve."
Greek women can be found in various clubs and organizations across campus, exemplifying leadership and dedication not only to their sororities but to the UK community as a whole.
For more information on sorority life contact the Greek Affairs office at 257-3151 or go to
www.uky.edu/StudentAffairs/Greek.
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