By Sally Ann Moyer
Reporter
The Bill Daniel Student Center Den came alive Wednesday with the activity and enthusiasm of the racial and culturally diverse members of Multicultural Greek Council organizations at their annual Meet the Greeks event. Representatives from each of the member organizations manned booths and presented brief performances showcasing the character of their organization.
Rush events are occurring this week for most of the organizations, including informational sessions, dinners, service events, karaoke and mixers.
Each performance Wednesday began with a roll-call cheer from the present members followed by a step and hip-hop style dance.
The organizations within Multicultural Greek Council are different from other campus Greek societies because they each represent a specific cultural group.
Delta Epsilon Psi is a national South Asian service fraternity.
“We’re great to help you academically and to make you grow as a person,” said Houston sophomore Delta Epsilon Psi member Roshan Patel. “That’s basically all we’re for: to have an opportunity to succeed everywhere.”
Delta Epsilon Psi raises money for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund. During the fall semester, Delta Epsilon Psi raised $5,000, mostly through sporting events, Patel said.
Delta Phi Omega is the largest and fastest-growing South Asian sorority in the nation, said Houston junior Delta Phi Omega member Jesley Joseph.
Delta Phi Omega hosts Literacy Through Unity week in March, including service at a local elementary school, small fundraising events and a benefit concert at Common Grounds. Everything raised goes directly to the philanthropy.
“Even though we’re small, the service we’ve been doing has impacted us,” said Katy junior Delta Phi Omega member Priyanka Mathews.
Dallas senior Isabel Teo is the current president of Alpha Kappa Delta Phi, the largest national Asian sorority in the nation.
“We really encourage sisterhood and friendship,” Teo said.
Alpha Kappa Delta Phi participates in Steppin’ Out, breast cancer awareness, fundraisers in October and events with their brother fraternity, Lambda Phi Epsilon.
The organization’s rush this semester has a princess theme, said Teo.
Omega Delta Phi is a national multicultural fraternity. Their national philanthropy is Court Appointed Special Advocates.
Kappa Phi Gamma was the first South Asian sorority at Baylor.
Houston senior and Kappa Phi Gamma member Ayman Rahman appreciates the small size of her sorority. She rushed because she “felt close to the girls.”
The organization’s largest fundraiser each year is Cancer Week in April, Rahman said.
Kappa Phi Gamma participates in social and service mixers with Multicultural Greek Council and performs and does events with Indian Subcontinent Student Association.
Sigma Iota Alpha Sorority is a service-based Latina sorority.
“We cherish our small number because of quality, not quantity,” Corpus Christi member Tara Molina said.
Sigma Iota Alpha sponsors a child from Chile through Children International, nationally supports Camp Heartland, a program for children with HIV/AIDS, and participates in different service events with other Multicultural Greek Council organizations.
The concepts of bonding and sisterhood attracted Carrollton senior Stephany Grullon to Gamma Alpha Omega.
Gamma Alpha Omega has a new philanthropy this year supporting youth and education. January is the organization’s philanthropy month, but it also participates in a variety of service opportunities throughout the year, including a soup kitchen, Salvation Army, mentoring kids and working with the Hispanic Student Association.
Kappa Delta Chi sorority is a “service and social [sorority] with an emphasis on service,” said Houston junior Kappa Delta Chi member and Multicultural Greek Council Internal Vice-President Brittany Thompson.
“All KDXs wherever are nice and just have a huge dedications to service,” said West Columbia sophomore Jedidah Guerra, Kappa Delta Chi recording secretary and sergeant-at-arms officer.
The sorority raises money for the American Cancer Society and its own KDChi Foundation.
