Posted on October 4, 2007
When Kappa Alpha Theta was founded at Indiana Asbury College in 1870, the word “sorority” did not exist, which is why it remains a fraternity for women. This fall Theta is establishing its Eta Rho Chapter at JMU.
This decision was made by the Panhellenic Council, the governing body for the nine sororities at JMU. Assistant Director of Student Organization Services for Fraternity and Sorority Live Jill D. Courson said Panhellenic formed a committee last year to evaluate JMU’s sorority needs.
“[Panhellenic] researched the possibility and assessed the needs of our community and in the spring of 2006 recommended that another chapter be added,” Courson said.
There are more than 180,000 members worldwide and by the end of this semester there will be 126 chapters across the U.S. and Canada.
“Theta has a very well-known reputation in the U.S.,” said Educational Leadership Consultant Mary-Scott Madigan. “Greek women have higher grades than average students [and] Kappa Alpha Theta gives more undergraduate scholarships than any other Panhellenic fraternity.”
Courson said one reason for bringing another chapter to JMU is the challenge of managing the growing number of members in current chapters.
“JMU needed another sorority,” she said.
After Theta competed with several national organizations for a spot to join the JMU Greek community, Panhellenic voted to bring Theta to JMU.
“[The interest has] been really great,” Madigan said. “It seems like the campus is excited to see us.”
Attendees at the Sept. 25 interest meeting said much of the interest in Theta is because new members will be the charter class.
“Whoever’s in this first class year is kind of going to make it what they want to,” sophomore Alli VanSickle said.
Others are interested in the sisterhood a sorority offers.
“I’m interested because all throughout high school I did team sports, so I had sisterhood with all my friends,” freshman Jacqueline Knight said. “Not having that now, I’ve always wanted to get into the sorority atmosphere of having a tight sisterhood.”
Since members who join will be new to Theta, two JMU based Educational Leadership Consultants have been provided for two academic years and will serve as chapter officers this fall. The consultants, both recent graduates, shared their experiences about being a Theta in college.
“Just being a leader and going to the national leadership convention [and] have that instant connection with people [is great],” Educational Leadership Consultant Caroline Redmond said. “The more you put into it, the more you get out of it.”
Madigan agreed.
“The leadership opportunities were such a growing opportunity for me,” she said. “It’s such a small world when you’re part of a sorority.”
Wednesday was the sorority’s bid day. Although there is no official cap, Theta will most likely accept 100 to 130 members.
“We want to be competitive with the other chapters on campus,” Madigan said.
The new member process will be six weeks, culminating with initiation in December.
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