By Tiquisha Tobin

RSO spotlight: Delta Sigma Theta

By TiQuisha Tobin

Staff Writer

Many students do not know, but the majority of sororities and fraternities on U of L campus are not only about sisterhood or brotherhood. Fraternities and sororities reach out to the campus community and the city. This edition’s focus is on Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. Xi Chapter. Nationally, Delta Sigma Theta was founded on January 13, 1913, on Howard University’s campus. The sorority was founded by 22 women, who wanted the organization to focus on Scholarship, Sisterhood and Service.

Xi chapter was founded on April 15th, 1922, in Louisville, Kentucky, at Simmons Bible College, the first school of higher education for African Americans in the state of Kentucky. It is the oldest chapter of any Greek organization in the state of Kentucky. University of Louisville purchased Simmons Bible college from the National Baptist Convention. The school was renamed Louisville Municipal College. African Americans were not allowed to attend classes at the Belknap campus because of Jim Crow laws, so the University of Louisville operated in two locations. The two campuses were later combined in June of 1951.

Delta Sigma Theta is known throughout the world as an organization for the better of the community. Xi chapter not only reaches the campus community, but also takes it to the city of Louisville. Currently, Xi chapter has 21 members that are committed to community service, sisterhood and scholastic achievement. In past years they have been involved with Habitat for Humanity. Last spring Xi chapter took HIV/AIDS awareness to the community by providing free testing and information to the West End of Louisville. On the campus, the ladies of Xi chapter took their leadership positions into account and spread the word of HIV with their second annual Sister’s Night Out. The event was attended by 70 plus students and involved information about mental and physical health, as well as the campus. For alcohol awareness week they provided the campus with activities and information about alcohol abuse called Sober in October. Every Monday night there is study sessions that are provided for the campus at the multicultural center.

The current President Lori Goodwin a senior Political Science major discussed the future plans of the organization. “When people think of sororities they think about parties and stepping. That is such a small part of what it takes to be in an organization. We focus on our school work because that is our first priority. It also takes hard work and dedication to keep Xi chapter as strong as it is. We have so many diverse women in our organization but the thing that keeps us together is the fact that we all want to make the campus and the city better.”

When asked about upcoming events she was so excited. “We have a lot of activities planned for the campus community this year. We are bringing back programs this year that were very successful in the past, such as Sister’s Night Out, Sober in October and the Project Smell Good. As far as social activities, we are planning to have a party early in the fall and in the spring we are having our 3rd annual Crimson and Cream Ball. We encourage everyone to come out and support all of the sororities and frats in the betterment of the campus community.”

Xi chapter has made a commitment to uphold the tradition of excellence set forth by the 22 Founders of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Celebrating 80 years of Scholarship, Sisterhood and Service, the ladies of Xi chapter plan on letting the campus, as well as the city, know that there is a job to be done and that they are the best to achieve the success.