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Greek Life

Sororities making a strong comeback at D&E

Submitted photo Dr. Cindy Kolsun, president of the GFWC Woman’s Club of Elkins, the sponsoring organization for Phi Omega Mu, one of the new local sororities at D&E, meets with students at one of the recent information sessions. More than 80 students have signed up to get involved in two new sororities at D&E.

Submitted photo Dr. Cindy Kolsun, president of the GFWC Woman's Club of Elkins, the sponsoring organization for Phi Omega Mu, one of the new local sororities at D&E, meets with students at one of the recent information sessions. More than 80 students have signed up to get involved in two new sororities at D&E.

ELKINS — After several years hiatus, sororities are back on campus at Davis & Elkins College. More than 80 female students signed up to pledge two local sororities, both dedicated to service and the ideals of Greek life.

For D&E First Lady Lisa Wood, this drive to bring back the sororities was a passion she believes in.

“The Greek experience was a significant part of my undergraduate experience and still is today,” she said. “It was all about camaraderie and competition back then. Now we are applying more of a community service element to enhance students’ lives in the Elkins/Randolph County community and following graduation.”

At a recent standing-room-only information night, Halliehurst was filled with laughing, enthusiastic women learning about the two local sororities being initiated. A team of students had worked diligently to choose the names, symbols and even the colors of the two organizations: Zeta Kappa Xi and Phi Omega Mu.

“They did all the work behind the scenes,” said Wood. “They did all the research and had all the conversations with fellow classmates. We wanted them to shape the feel of the sororities — right down to choosing the flowers.”

Alumna Laura Constantine, class of 1981, who was active in Zeta Tau Alpha while attending D&E and is assisting in this effort, echoes the excitement of seeing sororities return.

“They were a big part of our social life on campus,” she said, “and a big part of our coming back every year after graduating.”

She explained that in the 1970s, Greek organizations did much more than sponsor the majority of campus activities.

“They provided the camaraderie that made you feel part of a group,” she said. “They also helped with retention because you always knew you were part of a sisterhood that would help each other out.”

Some seniors inducted as the first set of members of the new sororities expressed their gratitude of being a part of Panhellenic life, if only for a short period. Bethany Faulk, a senior from Ripley and new member of Zeta Kappa Xi, said she wished sororities had existed when she first came to D&E.

“Sometimes it can be lonely when you are a freshman unless you are involved with something,” she said. “For many this means being on an athletic team. If you weren’t, you could feel lost. This is going to be great for the younger girls.”

Mary Jane Braham, a senior from Independence and new member of Phi Omega Mu, played a leadership role in bringing back the sororities.

“We are doing this because we care about our under-classmates,” Braham said. “They’ll be provided great opportunities and I am happy that we are partnering with the Humane Society and Woman’s Club. It gives the students a great chance to be more involved in the community.”

Dr. Cindy Kolsun, president of the GFWC Woman’s Club of Elkins, the sponsoring organization for Phi Omega Mu, said her group is “absolutely thrilled” to be partnering in the effort.

“What we do fits in so well with the community service aspect of the sorority,” Kolsun said. “They’ll be involved with St. Jude, March of Dimes and be able to compete on the state level in various competitions.”

For those choosing Zeta Kappa Xi, their service activities will support the Randolph County Humane Society (RCHS). Tina Vial, president of the board of directors for RCHS, said the organization is excited to be working with such an enthusiastic group of young women.

“Running a shelter involves so much more than petting and playing with puppies and kittens all day,” she said. “We hope the skills of running a non-profit business, preparing grant proposals, fundraising, event planning, public relations, animal sheltering protocols and more will translate into real-world experiences for the inductees. And of course, they will also get to pet puppies and kittens.”

From working with the March of Dimes to walking dogs, the new sisterhoods will have a meaningful impact on the both the campus and the community.

“I’m so happy to be a part of bringing Greek life back to D&E,” said Wood. “Not only is this a retention, engagement and recruitment tool, but it also reflects the College’s commitment to service, leadership and scholarship.”

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