The student news site of Marquette University

Marquette Wire

The student news site of Marquette University

Marquette Wire

The student news site of Marquette University

Marquette Wire

Getting to the Greek

Interested in rushing for a social sorority or fraternity? Let Marquette’s chapters guide you through campus greek life.

Learn Greek. Go Greek.

Sorority: Greek letter organization for women.

Fraternity: Greek letter organization for men.

Chapter: A local group of a national sorority or fraternity.

Rush: The membership recruitment process. Marquette has a deferred recruitment policy, which means a student must have at least 12 credits or transfer credits to join a chapter.

Bid: Invitation from a chapter to join their organization.

Initiation: A traditional ritual that brings the new member into full membership.

Hazing: Mental or physical abuse or harassment of a member. Hazing is prohibited by university policy, State law and national fraternity and sorority policy.

National Pan-Hellenic Council: The governing council for nine historically African-American fraternities and sororities.

Interfraternity Council: The governing council for social fraternities.

Panhellenic Association: The governing council for social sororities.

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SORORITIES

Dreaming of the perfect sorority? Brush up on your Greek and get ready for some quality girl time.


Alpha Chi Omega

Philanthropy: Domestic Violence Awareness

Best events: Drive Away Domestic
Violence and Dodge Domestic Violence

Why they’re unique: 100 percent of members are involved in other campus activities and organizations.

Alpha Omega Epsilon

Alpha Omega Epsilon

Philanthropy: Dress for Success

Best events: Founder’s Day annual formal dance

Why they’re unique: A professional and social sorority of women in engineering and technical science.

Alpha Phi

Alpha Phi

Philanthropy: Heart Health

Best events: Red Dress Affair
philanthropy fundraiser

Why they’re unique: House holds 27 girls who keep Subway in business because it’s behind the house.

Alpha Xi Delta

Philanthropy: Autism Speaks

Best events: Puzzlepalooza and Pass Xi Syrup! philanthropy fundraisers

Why they’re unique: An Alpha Xi Delta is currently the National Panhellenic Conference Chair.

Delta Xi Phi

Philanthropy: American Cancer Society

Best events: Cake Eating Contest and Game Night

Why they’re unique: A diverse, multicultural sorority chapter at Marquette.

Sigma Lambda Gamma

Philanthropy: TRIO program, Breast Cancer Awareness

Best events: Latino Heritage Cookout

Why they’re unique: Fastest growing Latina multicultural sorority in the country.

Sigma Kappa

Philanthropy: Gerontology and Alzheimer’s disease research

Best events: A Night to Remember fall gala fundraiser

Why they’re unique: House is on the National Historic Home Registry.

Pi Beta Phi

Philanthropy: First Book literacy promotion

Best events: Pie a Pi Phi philanthropy fundraiser

Why they’re unique: Members read with the third graders at “Our Champions Are Readers” program every October.

 

FRATERNITIES

It’s time to drop the “lax bro” stereotype and see what these fraternities have to offer.


Delta Chi

Philanthropy: The V Foundation for Cancer Research

Best event: Jimmy V Shootout basketball tournament

Why they’re unique: Combines social aspects and humanitarian, philanthropic values.

Sigma Chi

Philanthropy: Huntsman Cancer Institute and Children’s Miracle Network

Best events: Derby Days fundraiser

Why they’re unique: Comprised of men with different temperaments, talents and convictions.

Kappa Sigma

Philanthropy: The Fischer House Foundation for military families

Best events: Spaghetti Dinner and Boat Cruise

Why they’re unique: Highest average fraternity GPA.

Sigma Lambda Beta

Philanthropy: Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Latino Vote USA, The Bro. Victor Correa CPR Awareness Day, Hero Street USA

Best event: Latino Heritage Cookout

Why they’re unique: Largest, fastest growing multicultural fraternity in the nation.

Omega Delta

Philanthropy: Youth Haiti

Best event: Taste of Omega Delta Potluck

Why they’re unique: Multicultural fraternity and youngest fraternity on campus.

Sigma Phi Delta

Philanthropy: Marquette College of Engineering Outreach Program

Best event: Incoming freshmen engineering scholarship competition

Why they’re unique: Fraternity of engineers.

Sigma Phi Epsilon

Philanthropy: Youth Aids and Domestic & Sexual Violence Awareness

Best event: Central Mall Friday Football

Why they’re unique: A Balanced Man chapter at Marquette, has no formal pledge process and new brothers are automatically life-long brothers.

Triangle

Philanthropy: Habitat for Humanity

Best event: Habitat for Humanity volunteer days

Why they’re unique: Fraternity of engineers, scientists and architects.


Two NPHC chapter Presidents:

 

Quentin Menal

photo credits: Gabby Belzer

Year: Senior

Majors: Marketing and Entrepreneurship

Fraternity: Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.

Why I joined: “I knew most (members) because of some pre-college programs I did at Marquette. They mentored me and guided me as I transitioned from high school to college … I respected their values. (NPHC) is a culture here, and there’s a legacy at Marquette. It’s lifetime membership, so you’re a member forever. It’s like an extended family at Marquette and across the nation.”

My suggestion: “Try to get to know people in the chapter before you make a decision to join, especially for NPHC because it’s a lifetime membership. You want to make sure you’re making the right decision. I’d suggest doing what I did — focusing on college life first and getting acclimated to Marquette before getting into Greek life.”

 

Isioma Nwabuzor

Year: Senior

Majors: Psychology and Political Science

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Sorority: Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Why I joined: “I was looking for an organization to get into because I was a commuter student. I knew some NPHC members when I was in high school. When I found out Marquette had a chapter, I wanted to join. We are also the first African-American sorority founded in the world, organized only one generation after slavery; I saw those strong ideals, and they were something I wanted to align myself with.”

My suggestion: “Do your research. Go on websites, read a book. Get familiar with current members — they’re a true reflection of what the organization is. Do some work and make yourself known, but do service because you want to do it — not just because you think it will make you look good. Be prepared to work. Expect to put forth a great effort.”

 

National Pan-Hellenic Chapters

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.

Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.

Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.

Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.

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Comments (2)

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  • J

    Jen MichalskiFeb 28, 2012 at 8:47 pm

    Hi Jordan,
    As the EIC of the Journal, I can assure you that we interviewed each of the sororities and asked them the same question, including “What makes you unique?” We used the response given to us by the Alpha Phi interviewed.
    -JM

    Reply
  • J

    JordanFeb 13, 2012 at 1:05 pm

    Why did you put Alpha Phi’s unique quality as keeping Subway in business? As an Alpha Phi, I know that we do so much more than that, and all of the other chapters have something of value in that space, while ours is a joke. I’m really offended.

    Reply