Recruitment nears for Theta Phi Alpha, Penn College's first sorority
Tuesday, January 14, 2020
After determining there is a deep interest in sorority life on campus and reviewing applications from the member groups of the National Panhellenic Conference, Pennsylvania College of Technology selected Theta Phi Alpha, a women’s social sorority with 57 chapters nationwide, as the first sorority to join the Penn College campus. The organization will offer opportunities in leadership development, wellness programming, philanthropy, networking and social offerings. In just a matter of weeks, a committed group of Penn College women will join together as the founding members of Theta Phi Alpha’s newest chapter.
Why Theta Phi?
Theta Phi Alpha offers a unique sorority opportunity, committed to building a highly personal experience, according to an announcement composed by the national sorority in cooperation with the college's Office of Student Engagement.
Members of the Grand Council, the governing board of Theta Phi Alpha, are unique in their ability to make themselves available and present to all members of the sisterhood. In addition to the board, a strong system of National Officers and National Office staff members facilitate local and regional leadership development events. Because national volunteers on all levels are highly trained and engaged, Theta Phi Alpha is able to offer close mentorships to collegian members. The Theta Phi network is vast and generous!
Theta Phi Alpha has a deep connection to service and philanthropic endeavors including Camp Friendship and The House That Theta Phi Alpha Built. Camp Friendship is a two-week summer camp provided at no cost for economically disadvantaged children in rural Mississippi. It is supported by Theta Phi Alpha members who serve as volunteer counselors, raise funds for camp operations, and collect necessary resources for campers and staff.
The House that Theta Phi Alpha Built is a philanthropy effort aimed to combat homelessness through chapter engagement with local organizations such as shelters, home builders, neighborhood revitalization projects and food banks. The personalized local support allows members to keep their service offerings close to home, meeting specific needs in their own communities.
Finally, all Theta Phi chapters and alumnae associations are encouraged to participate in the Theta Phi Alpha Day of Service by supporting service projects to improve housing stability and security within their local community.
The Women of Theta Phi Alpha
Theta Phi Alpha is comprised of women who have made a lifetime commitment to the sisterhood, to the living of its values and to the realization of the ritual. Sisters demonstrate their commitment every day through their support of Theta Phi Alpha-sponsored events and meetings, and through their service in leadership positions on both the local and national levels. Theta Phi Alpha offers opportunities to continue participation through alumnae associations, as well as opportunities to serve as an officer on the national and local levels.
Theta Phi Alpha embraces the mission developed by its founders and that of Penn College and the Office of Student Engagement. The sorority believes the commonalities in our objectives – promotion of academic excellence and adherence to high moral standards – will lead to a collaboration that will benefit all students at Penn College, especially women who are drawn to the values of Theta Phi Alpha.
Want to learn more?
Theta Phi Alpha is thrilled with the campus welcome and is ready to jump into the launch of this new emerging chapter! The chapter is looking for women who uphold the organization’s mission and want to help make student life at Penn College a richer experience for all students. Recruitment for the social sorority is open to women from all academic years. Theta Phi Alpha has an alumnae initiation process for women who have completed their undergraduate education and are looking for a sisterhood experience. Any woman who isn’t presently a member of an NPC group is eligible for membership in Theta Phi Alpha.
Theta Phi will host recruitment Jan. 27-31. Events are open to anyone looking to learn more about Theta Phi Alpha regardless of their intention to join. Watch for the schedule!
Theta Phi Alpha will hold short, personal interviews for all women interested in joining. These casual, one-on-one meetings with Theta Phi Alpha staff are a requirement for membership eligibility.
The initial recruitment process culminates when membership bids are extended to the founding members of Theta Phi Alpha at Penn College.
What’s Next?