By Sydney Pulliam
Spring of 2023 will bring Samford University many things: a fresh second semester, our 72nd annual Step Sing and a brand new sisterhood. The extension process for Samford’s newest sorority is coming to a close, and the last two standing are Kappa Delta Sorority and Alpha Gamma Delta International Women’s Fraternity.
On Wednesday, Oct. 5, Kappa Delta came to Samford to present their sorority to the school.
Kappa Delta, founded in 1897, is a sorority based around the values of honesty, integrity, friendship and leadership. Their philanthropy is aligned with Prevent Child Abuse America (PCAA) and Girl Scouts of the USA. During KD’s presentation, they placed a heavy emphasis on women empowerment, education and leadership, admirable traits for a new campus sorority.
Then, on Monday, Oct. 17, Alpha Gamma Delta arrived to present their sorority to the school as well.
Alpha Gamma Delta was founded in 1904, and places its values in leadership, scholarship, service, and sisterhood. The sisters of Alpha Gam take pride in their philanthropy: fighting hunger with Meals on Wheels America and Feeding America. Alpha Gam takes a faith-based approach to sorority life, placing trust in God and aligning greatly with Samford’s Christ-like values.
KD has had a chapter at Samford University prior to this, meaning that if Kappa Delta is the chosen sorority, it will be a welcome return.
Alpha Gam would be completely fresh to Samford’s campus, but our university would have the privilege of being the organization’s 200th chapter.
The women of Kappa Delta said they believe their sorority would fit in very well at Samford.
“I think I speak for all of us that we are so thrilled for the opportunity to reopen a chapter here at Samford,” said Kappa Delta chapter member Gillian Keenan. “I think it would be a wonderful fit, personally, and I’m hoping for some wonderful news.”
Meanwhile, Alpha Gamma Chief Operating Officer Lindsay Jarman expressed her desire to share her sorority with the women of Samford.
“[Faith] is something that we don’t get to share as openly these days,” said Jarman. “So it’s been a real joy today to actually be able to really share that and to explore that side of Alpha Gam with the students.”
KD and Alpha Gam’s recruitment and new membership processes would look very similar in the upcoming calendar year. Both organizations would reach out to the already-established sororities on campus for resources, information and help throughout their developments.
Both chapters would also seek a “team” of women to help them become grounded in Samford’s culture – a large part of this team would be the Panhellenic Bigs.
Established sororities at Samford have the ever-loved big sister, little sister dynamic that is an integral part of sorority life. In a new chapter, however, even the upperclassmen involved are considered new members, meaning there are no sorority-specific big-little titles. Panhellenic Bigs would be upperclassmen from other sorority chapters on campus willing to take on a pseudo-big sister role for these new members in whichever organization finds its home at Samford University.
Samford students await the decision on which new sorority will be joining Samford Greek Life in the spring. Either the lucky green of Kappa Delta or the bold crimson of Alpha Gamma will be running home to Samford very soon.
I was a member of the Delta Theta Kappa Delta chapter at Samford. I know the alums would be thrilled to see KD back on Samford’s campus!