New sorority stresses “good character”

Jennifer Johnson is making Greek Life history at CSU, one member

at a time.

Last spring Johnson helped CSU charter the Tau Lambda chapter,

the 954th chapter of the national Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc.,

an organization that values economic and educational development,

international and political awareness and involvement and physical

and mental health.

“We hope to enhance diversity,” Johnson said in an e-mail

interview. “And also give all women, and especially those of color,

a positive image of leadership and an understanding of devotion to

one’s community.”

Johnson, a junior technical journalism major and president of

the CSU chapter, said that Tau Lambda, the sixth non-traditional

sorority at CSU in connection with Greek Life and Black Student

Services, plans to focus on the same aspects as the national

organization.

“The women that are Delta Sigma Theta are of good character,

involved on campus and strive for success in their scholarly

pursuits,” Johnson said. “… today the women of Delta are of all

colors, shapes and sizes.”

Delta Sigma Theta has been an active part of the community since

1969 when the citywide Zeta Pi chapter began, but Johnson wanted to

bring the organization directly onto the CSU campus.

“This is great because the public service that our sorority does

is concentrated on one spot so we are able to do more and adjust

our events and programs to cater to the community,” Johnson said.

“We hope to give back to CSU just like it has helped to enrich our

lives and welcomed us onto this campus.”

Jennifer Molock, director of BSS, said that she is proud to

support CSU’s Delta Sigma Theta chapter and that many students are

already interested in joining the sorority.

“It’s exciting to charter a chapter and have the opportunity to

be a part of history,” Molock said. “There’s already been an

interest. As a state chapter they already have a presence here and

the women really exemplify community and public service.”

Despite campus interest, the chapter has only four members,

which Khala McAfee, a junior English major and secretary of the

Delta Sigma Theta, said makes organizing events difficult at

times.

“There are only four of us, so it’s been a lot of work,” McAfee

said.

Some of the planned events for the year include a blood drive, a

canned food drive for the homeless, voter registration, a health

fair, career workshops and HIV/AIDS awareness program.

McAfee said that the events planned for the year contribute to

the sorority’s aspirations to become recognized across campus.

“This year we hope to establish ourselves as our own entity,”

McAfee said. “We just want to get our name out there and let people

know that we are a non-traditional sorority and we do a lot of

great things.”