Why did you join?

[CSUThetaCLock]

As a newer member to my GLO, I wanted to know why others not only joined their organization but also, why did you go greek? So fess up!

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Kappa Alpha Theta
Beta Gamma Chapter
Colorado State University
"Where twin stars shine bright!"
Live the dream - go Theta!

[AXO Alum]

I had been in a relationship for 5 years that included me going to the same college as my boyfriend. (We both had attended a community college first so we were already "junior" status). The first year we came home every single weekend (it was a small school - about 3000 students and we were only 2 and a 1/2 hours from home). Well during that first summer we broke up. When I came back I knew it would be hard to see him on both campus and at home so I went through rush. I was very familiar by then with the 5 groups, but was positive that I would be a member of XYZ sorority. Well they ended up being the first one I dropped! I think that when you set your expectations that XYZ is the best,or ABC has the cutest boyfriends, etc. that you are shortchanging yourself. I just knew when I walked on the AXO hall that I was home. I had a lot in common with the girls, and they were just so real (well as real as you can get during the biggest fake out show ever!) I couldn't wait till pref to sign my bid card. I now serve as fraternal relations advisor as a liason between our collegiate and alum chapter (AND LOVE IT!!!)

Oh, and one side note...the boyfriend...well lets just say its amazing how a fraternity party introduces you to so many new people...including my now husband


[This message has been edited by AXO Alum (edited June 22, 2000).]

[ManndingoNUPE]

Achievement.

This is the cornerstone of my fraternity. My believe is that whenever you align yourself with a group of like-minded men, you can achieve more than you would on your own. When in undergrad, I looked at what the organization was doing nationaly (they were suspended at my school). Kappa was feeding the homeless on Chrismas and Thanksgiving, they were mentoring the youth in my community, they were providing scholarships for college students, and they were Pretty Muther F&*^kers too. So I knew I had to be one. I didn't join untill after graduation, but even on the graduate level, some of the things that I saw as an undergrad, where still evident in the alumni chapter.

When I was asked this question by members of my fraternity the above mentioned was part of my answer. I feel that it is my duty as a young African American man to mentor and help provide the necessary tools to todays young men (especially African Americans). I was very blessed. Let me say that again, I was very blessed to have a wonderfull mother and father, who were always there to teach me right from wrong. I had an excellent example of what it is to be a man in my father.

Unfortunately, some of the youth in my community don't have that same example, so that means that I have to provide that for them. My chapter, and my fraternity as a whole, are committed to providing that. That's one of the things that I trully love about my frat. Every chapter has to have a viable Guide Right Program (program that works with kids). It is in our Constitution.

Now the above mentioned was a very large part of why I wanted to join Kappa, but there is also the party aspect. Anyone, especially a younger person who tells you that they only want to join a BGLO to help make the world a better place, is either lying, or they are simply people that I have never met. I love to fellowship, drink, chase women, all the things that a normal every day young urban professional man would do. I have a lot of fun at my chapter, but we also take care of the important stuff. You have to have a balance.

I am sorry, I get long winded sometimes. I will shut up now.

Peace and Luv

Lets see..

I was always apprehensive about Greek Life. I had this idea of what a sorority should be and my limited exposure never showed me a side that fufilled that expectation. My sophmore year i went through informal spring rush as a favor to a friend. Didn't get a bid and figured I'd be better off.

Then my senior year rolled around. The week was Engineer's Week, and preporations for the final festivites were underway. I was talking with some of the other candidates and she mentioned this freshman was having this meeting about bring an "engineering" sorority to campus. I said sure why not.

While I was all gun-hoe about the idea, I didn't realize what I was doing, or how much the group would match and exceed my expectations until the sisters from the alpha chapter came to visit. The aire that weekend that was around our group, you could feel it. I walked away from that weekend, as did many of my other friends (some of which were somewhat anti-greek), with the idea that we wanted to be part of a sorority but not just any sorority - THAT sorority.

That silly freshman was equeen (who floats around here). I don't think I ever looked back since that day and wondered what I did - I just did it because Alpha Sigma Kappa was what i was waiting for all along. And I guess as they say - The rest is history, my chapter's history

Jennifer


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Beta Chapter Alumna and Founder
Alpha Sigma Kappa - Women in Technical Studies
http://alpha-sigma-kappa.ou.edu/
http://www.alpha-sigma-kappa.org

[BFulton]

My story is much like Jennifer's (Artimis)! I attended Michigan State and was originally interested in the NPC sororities... but the high cost made them a bit unrealistic for me. (Note, I'm the first member of my entire extended family, to my knowledge, to be "Greek.")

I WAS looking for close associations and friendships with others at MSU. At that time, Alpha Gamma Rho (men's agricultural fraternity) had a little sister program. It really functioned much like an independent sorority, made up mostly of women with agricultural majors, like mine. That's why I joined, and I really enjoyed it... until I had a boyfriend who didn't appreciate the ties w/a fraternity... so I sort of dropped out of that group.

When Sigma Alpha came back to MSU my senior year, many of my friends were in the chapter. It was just what I was looking for - a sorority with the additional bond of shared professional interests. I've never regretted becoming involved! Some of my best friends are people I would have never met if it weren't for SA (including many from other universitities). The professional networking aspect is also very important to me.

[equeen]

Originally posted by CSUThetaCLock:
As a newer member to my GLO, I wanted to know why others not only joined their organization but also, why did you go greek? So fess up!

Yah, here I am floating about, as Artimis says.

Why did I go greek? Several different reasons...among which the most important was the opportunity to embrace and be embraced by a legacy, and to do good things through the bond. Also, the chance to have sisters: I have just one sibling, a brother.

Why did I choose Alpha Sigma Kappa? There was a niche to be filled, both in my heart, and on my campus.

And the time was right too: there were several other women on campus, majoring in engineering and the sciences, who felt a need to *belong* and be bonded by more than just friendship.

I wanted to give of myself, and yet not be burdened by having to give of time that was best spent studying, or by having to give money (I'm with you on that, BFulton), just for the sake of belonging.

I also wanted to ensure that my personal goal of professional success didn't get superceded by the equally important need to find a niche...hence Alpha Sigma Kappa.

To be a friend, a mentor, a volunteer...and through the process become a successful engineer, and *still* be involved as a sister - that is why I joined Alpha Sigma Kappa.

[icytre]

Well,
I have answered this question so many times!!

The Greek community seemed to run the campus, and I wanted to be apart of that, to put it blatantly!

To be honest, when I came to college, I didn't know anything about fraternities except stepping. Of course I was intrigued with that!!

Seemed as if every BGLO was "off the chain" when it came to social activities. Therefore, I had to look deeper. I looked at all of them. Once I began looking around it seemed as if people labeled all frats with a stereotype. The Kappas were considered pretty and that's pretty much it. The Sigmas were seen as loud country hicks. The Que's were seen as wild, sweaty dogs. And the Alphas were seen as nerds.

Nevertheless, I didn't fall into those stereotypes, I began to look at what I had in common with each organization and what they were really doing on campus. I could automatically relate with Alpha Phi Alpha because in reality they were very diverse. They were very involved in the community and were the campus leaders. They had a genuine focus and goal, which was the uplifting others as well as themselves. I didn't have to look only at their nationals because they were setting the example locally. They were a well-rounded as a fraternity in my eyes. Of course the leadership was always a unique and strong force on campus. Certainly, who wouln't want to be apart of an organization like that.

The Greek system as a whole is the campus lifeline.

[blu_theatrics]

When I first started attending college, I had heard of Sigma Gamma Rho, but I didn't know anyone in the sorority. In fact I really wasn't interested in it. However, as I began to look around the campus that I attended I noticed that Sigma Gamma Rho was always doing something. Weather it was for each other or for the campus as a whole, Sigma Gamma Rho was there. The women of Sigma Gamma Rho were also down to earth and open. They treated everyone as if they were important and they were just so approachable. I had a few classes with some of them and I had grown to realize that they were a group of peolpe I wanted to become a part of. I did my resaerch, and when I found out where and how this sorority was organized (by these 7 school teachers on a predominately white campus in the 20's) I knew that I wanted to help continue their legacy. I am proud to say that today I am a member of the last created and best designed....Sigma Gamma Rho

"All of my life, my peace and happiness belongs to Sigma Gamma
Rho"

[12dn94dst]

I wanted to become a Delta because my God-Mother is one. She had a very positive influence on me when I was younger, not to say my parents didn't. I remember seeing a paddle of hers handing on the wall and wanting to know what it was for and what the "triangle, e, and funny lookin o" meant. All she would tell me (I was 8 or 9 when I asked her) was "you'll find out when you're older." When I got older, she started telling me about the things Delta did, but I didn't get my full exposure to Deltas and the other NPHC greeks until I got to college. The upperclassmen that I met and made friends with my freshman year were either Deltas or women who later cross Delta. They told me about the projects they did and they were really nice people. I felt comfortable with them, like they were my own sisters (if I had them, I'm an only child) so I felt it was only natural that I become a Delta. Thankfully, they felt the same way.

[This message has been edited by 12dn94dst (edited June 22, 2000).]

[PhiKappForever]

At first I thought Frats were a bunch of people who could not get past the clique attitude of HS, but my frosh year my 5 best friends and I decided to do it as a group to see if we could. And we did. That's it.

[pinkice9]

I joined the allustrious Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated because I wanted to make a difference in the world. I know that all sororities focus on making a difference and providing community service however, God made my selection. He told me what organization to pledge; the organization that I could be most effective as a christian and a black woman. The organization that represents me the best. I have been known for holding my head up high from grade school to college; not because I am conceited but, because I am looking to God and the opportunities that are sought out by looking ahead. You see, AKA's hold there heads up high because were are proud of the founders' from which we stand, not because of a stereotype. "Hold your head up high for there is little opportunity beneath the surface."

Skee-Wee my sorors.

Pinkice9

I am a first time poster, but long time observer. I wanted to respond.

I joined Alpha Phi Omega because I was told it was a service fraternity that catered to the needs of the community and at that time (a college freshman) all I did in high school was service. I was an AFJROTC cadet doing service out the wazoo. I was also a hospital volunteer for (at that time 2 years--I would continue to volunteer for 3 more years). I was intrigued by this fraternity who not only said they did service, but actually backed up that very fact. The brothers went to parties, but never sported their letters. I said to myself I wanted to be part of this fraternity.

Anyway, that's my $19.25

[Rhoyal Blue_22]

I think I stated this before, but here it is again:
When I went to college I had no family or friends in the state where I attended. I looked around the campus and noticed the sisterhood of the sororities and I wanted that too. I went to every sorority interset meeting, (DST, AKA, ZPhiB and SGRho)to see which one was for me because I had no concrete information on them. Lastly, I felt most comfortable with the lovley ladies of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc and they became my sisters, sorors, friends and family. Thank God I haven't had one regret and I never will.
E-Yip to my Pretty Poodles and hello to my soror blue_theatrics

[CSUThetaCLock]

Thanks everyone for responding... i know that it is something that is very personal... I joined because I wanted a place to call home while I was away from home. I'm from the east and decided to go to school in Colorado...I wanted to belong to an organization where I was valued, supported, and friends to hang with, cry with and to give those things in return.

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Kappa Alpha Theta
Beta Gamma Chapter
Colorado State University
"Where twin stars shine bright!"
Live the dream - go Theta!

[Corbin Dallas]

I joined because the guys in the chapter were great guys, in fact, they are mainly the reason I rushed period. They were a lot like myself and my friends from back home, which I was totally not expecting, as most of the brothers from my chapter, aren't your typical "frat guys". They also seemed more "real" than the other houses. It didn't seem like they were putting on a front for rush. I never really felt intimidated, even when I was the only freshman with a few actives in a room.

I noticed a few people said they joined because their nationals. I couldn't have done that. Had I not found such a great group of guys, I would have stayed GDI, but I'm positive I made one of the best decisions of my life.

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Steve Corbin
Lambda Chi Alpha
Theta Kappa Zeta Chapter
Ros-Hulman Inst. of Tech.