A YEAR LIKE NO OTHER | KEEPING SISTERHOOD STRONG
Members did not let distance keep them from building bonds and connecting with one another throughout 2020-21. From virtual painting parties to socially distanced yoga in the park, here’s how they continued to strengthen their sisterhood:
IOTA–UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON
Iota Chapter held several diversity, equity and inclusion events, including two movie nights, a book club and a presentation on Native American history in honor of Indigenous Peoples Day. The chapter also partnered with Delta Gamma to discuss eating disorders and held a Rivikin event to educate members on breast and ovarian cancer signs and symptoms.
XI–ILLINOIS WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY
After welcoming new members home, the Xi Chapter got creative with sisterhood events. The chapter held a virtual trivia night and an outdoor movie night to help new members and initiated members bond.
ALPHA BETA–UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
Members of the Alpha Beta Chapter made the best of social distancing with their Halloween celebrations. Members who lived in the chapter house participated in trick or treating around the house with masks on. The chapter also hosted photo contests, including costumes and door decorating to help members who did not live in the house feel included.
ALPHA LAMBDA–THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY
Members of the Alpha Lambda Chapter enjoyed outdoor activities, including a food truck and yoga in the park. The chapter was praised by Ohio State for “leading the way” by upholding protocols at these safe, socially distanced events.
BETA GAMMA–UNIVERSITY OF MANITOBA
The Beta Gamma Chapter jumped into planning several virtual events to welcome their new members throughout the semester like game nights and pumpkin carving. As Initiation was approaching, the chapter held a virtual fundraising event to raise money for their virtual Feast of Roses. Generous alumnae donated to help provide light refreshments, and some collegiate members spent time packing and delivering meals to sisters around campus for the event.
BETA IOTA–EASTER ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY
Members of the Beta Iota Chapter enjoyed several outdoor events together, including a hike at Lake Charleston and a visit to their local pumpkin patch. The chapter also got involved with the Panhellenic community by hosting a virtual workout class led by the Chapter President. All chapters were invited to participate, and members had a great time together!
BETA THETA–UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN–WHITEWATER
The Beta Theta Chapter focused on making the new member experience as exciting as possible—even with restrictions. Officers hosted virtual dinners where members could join to eat and enjoy time together while staying safe. The chapter also won the Spirit Cup for their involvement throughout their campus’ homecoming week.
BETA OMICRON–ILLINOIS STATE UNIVERSITY
The Beta Omicron Chapter made the most of a short semester on campus together and had a great time welcoming their newest members. The chapter hosted a virtual I-Week where the new members got to participate in bonding experiences and listen to seniors share their senior letters with the chapter.
GAMMA BETA–FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY
The Member Experience Team at the Beta Gamma Chapter found ways to brighten members’ days with themed dinners throughout the year. To end the fall term, their house mother—affectionately nicknamed Mamma Mia—dazzled the chapter with her festive holiday dinner. The night included music, a flatscreen fireplace, delicious baked goods and plenty of memories made.
GAMMA OMICRON–EASTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY
Members of the Gamma Omicron Chapter found creative ways to connect and continue building their sisterhood. Their Chapter Wellness and Member Experience Teams worked tirelessly to put together virtual events like Netflix watch parties, game nights and meditation sessions.
GAMMA SIGMA–TROY UNIVERSITY
Gamma Sigma Chapter had a wonderful time supporting sisters participating in intramural sports. Members also enjoyed their sisterhood event, 70s Swap, where they dressed up in themed costumes, tie-dyed shirts and took photos together.
GAMMA UPSILON–UNIVERSITY OF MONTEVALLO
Members of the Gamma Upsilon Chapter did not let a virtual semester stop them from connecting. The chapter enjoyed virtual events together, including a holiday sisterhood event and a virtual hangout with Chi Omega.
DELTA BETA–WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY
Members from the Delta Beta Chapter held several virtual events to learn more about each other after they welcomed their newest members. The chapter hosted a “Guess That Baby” game where members provided baby pictures of themselves and other members had to guess who was in the photo.
DELTA ETA–SAN DIEGO STATE UNIVERSITY
Delta Eta Chapter strengthened their sisterhood virtually with a Zoom Sisterhood Retreat. Members made at-home mug cakes, did a photo scavenger hunt and played a fun game of bingo. The chapter’s big/little reveal was also hosted on Zoom, and sis-moms spontaneously revealed themselves throughout the meeting.
DELTA THETA–UNIVERSITY OF IDAHO
Members of the Delta Theta Chapter celebrated Halloween with several fall-themed sisterhood events. The chapter hosted a pumpkin carving event and a trick-or-treat event where members dressed up and collected candy around the chapter house.
DELTA UPSILON–BOISE STATE UNIVERSITY
Delta Upsilon Chapter enjoyed hosting spooky sisterhood events and welcoming their Executive Council in October. The chapter also planned a composite, which was a nice welcome back after spending time apart.
ZETA CHI–UNIVERSITY OF WESTERN ONTARIO
Zeta Chi Chapter successfully hosted multiple socially distanced sisterhood events, including a pumpkin-carving night, a picnic and a spa day! Members also enjoyed a socially distanced big/little reveal where new members looked for clues around the neighborhood before meeting their sis-mom.
THETA EPSILON–UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH ALABAMA
Even through two hurricanes, Theta Epsilon Chapter focused on strengthening their sisterhood and bonding with their newest members. The chapter adapted quickly to changing circumstances and planned several sisterhood events throughout the term.
THETA IOTA–WESTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY
The Director of Sisterhood for the Theta Iota Chapter got creative in their virtual environment with a Netflix Party. Members were invited to stop by the chapter house to pick up a snack, then joined online using Netflix Party to watch a movie and spend time together. Members also enjoyed participating in homecoming events and attending Kappa Delta’s philanthropy!
THETA OMICRON–WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY
Members of the Theta Omicron Chapter got busy planning their term with a virtual planner party. Members visited with one another virtually while getting their calendars ready for the upcoming term. The chapter also hosted a Senior Week to celebrate their graduating seniors and their hard work.
KAPPA BETA–MISSOURI WESTERN STATE UNIVERSITY
Due to COVID-19, the Kappa Beta Chapter limited their events, however, they had a great time at the events they did have! Members enjoyed their sisterhood retreat at a local pumpkin patch, and they held a Halloween-themed activity afterward. The chapter continued fall festivities with a new member retreat where new members enjoyed decorating pumpkins and getting to know each other better.
LAMBDA ALPHA–ST. JOSEPH’S COLLEGE LONG ISLAND
Members of the Lamba Alpha Chapter strengthened their sisterhood through virtual events and Zoom calls. The chapter created the “Coffee Date Challenge” where sisters were paired at random to spend time together while social distancing or on FaceTime.
LAMBDA EPSILON–CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY
Lambda Epsilon Chapter started their term off with a virtual diversity, equity and inclusion training and a virtual sexual assault awareness program led by the Cleveland Rape Crisis Center. Later in the term, members enjoyed a virtual Halloween movie party.
NU ALPHA–APPALACHIAN STATE UNIVERSITY
In the spirit of Halloween, members of the Nu Alpha Chapter took part in a Zoom Boo Bash, which included costume contests and TikTok challenges! The chapter also held a Grammy Award-themed sisterhood event, the Alpha Gammies, which was a Zoom event where members dressed up and nominated sisters for awards. Categories included future First Lady, best style and most likely to brighten someone’s day.
This blog post is part of a series based on 2020 Collegiate Reports submitted by chapter officers. Looking to keep up with your chapter? Click here to find your chapter on social media.
Read more from the “A Year Like No Other” series: