Kate Hohenstein, president of the new Eta Chi chapter of Kappa Alpha Theta at Boston University, said theta brings together a diverse group of women who will give a revitalized energy to BU Greek Life.
The founding members of the Eta Chi chapter of Kappa Alpha Theta, pictured here at their installation brunch, officially joined Boston University’s Greek life on December 2nd
“All of our members are motivated women who know how to carry yourself with grace,” said Hohenstein, a sophomore college of arts and sciences, in an email. “But we have a free site – a site that is sociable and charismatic. I think the combination creates a dynamic spark that stimulates us both against the other sororities on campus and against the friendship. “
The Eta Chi chapter of Theta was officially installed on December 2, after spending the 2012 fall semester in a colonization period, Panhellenic Council president Linda Swift said in an email.
Theta welcomed a charter class of 116 members who are now active sisters of the sorority, said Swift, a senior with the School of Management.
“It was very exciting to bring a new chapter to campus,” said Swift and SMG Sr. in an email. “Theta has been a very exciting and rewarding process for the Panhellenic Council and the entire community. They add a new chapter, new women, and new traditions. “
Elizabeth Mundy, an educational leadership advisor at Kappa Alpha Theta who has worked to establish theta in the BU, said Theta’s Grand Council and its headquarters wanted to build a chapter in the BU because it was a community with a positive environment, one strong support system and admirable values.
“This was very evident during our fall recruitment process [Theta’s] The rich history drew women to campus who had not previously introduced themselves as sorority women, ”Mundy said.
Hohenstein, who hadn’t gone through formal recruitment and didn’t know much about Greek life, said she realized what theta stood for, which was a perfect match for her personal values, when the organization started active recruiting in the fall.
“I hope that by joining Theta, other women would realize that a member of Greek Life doesn’t just have a form, and that potential new members who are like me feel they are able to get a place in of the Greek community. ” She said.
Hohenstein said that as president she strives to build an organization and influence its development.
“It’s really a golden opportunity to get something established right from the start – build your reputation, watch it and influence how it grows,” she said.
The chapter’s officers were officially installed on Sunday, Mundy said.
“From there, officials will set goals and work towards common goals,” she said.
The addition of theta allows Greek Life to expand further and adds another philanthropy project, the court-appointed Special Advocates, Swift said.
“CASA supports abused and neglected children who are going through the judicial system,” said Mundy. “Theta will support CASA’s local Boston office this spring with our one-of-a-kind philanthropy event.”
The addition of theta is in response to the growing interest in Greek Life in the BU, Swift said. In the 2012 spring semester, more than 630 women attended formal recruitment, resulting in large classes of new members in many sororities, Swift said.
“It’s important because as we’ve grown dramatically over the past few years and more women have chosen to participate in formal recruitment, our chapters have grown very large,” she said. “If the numbers are similar this year despite the addition of theta, we can choose to expand again and add another chapter to our campus.”
Hohenstein said the other members of the Greek community welcomed the BU Theta even though they are a new sorority on campus.
“For many women there was a hesitation about how we would be perceived, especially as a new member of the Greek community,” said Hohenstein. “But the Greek men and women and the BU as a whole gave us nothing less than an open reception.”
Swift said integrating theta into the BU’s Greek community has been a positive experience.
“Theta has been welcomed with open arms in the Greek community,” said Swift. “It was amazing to see how they grew and made connections this summer.”
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