The rebirth of Black Greek life at Otterbein is due to the impact of students' past and present in the community.
Men in the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity spend their time supporting the youth in the Columbus community by going to middle schools and taking kids out of lunch detention to mentor them.
“What we started to realize was that these kids really aren’t that bad. People just aren’t willing to give into them and pay attention to them. From there, we cultivate some type of brotherhood and some kind of family,” said chapter Vice President Dezmon Howard. “It’s so satisfying especially because I feel like I’m talking to people that were in my shoes when I was younger, so to be able to see everything come full circle and have a community to be able to give back to people is what’s needed.”
The Omicron Rho chapter runs out of Delaware, Ohio and includes other colleges alongside Otterbein such as Ohio Wesleyan, Capital, DeVry, Franklin University and Columbus College of Art and Design.
“Having a group of people that actually care about you and that will always give back into you to make sure you are growing academically, as an adult, and also making sure that you are staying on track and that you have support and a family behind you is really important,” said Howard.
Otterbein alumna Faith Pendleton of Sigma Gamma Rho sorority plays an active role for the growth of her sorority after graduation.
“Being active in Black Greek life after college is not uncommon. Being a member of the National Panhellenic Council, also called The Divine 9, is a lifetime commitment that extends beyond campus borders. My main motivation in remaining an active member on campus past graduation is that I feel like my work on campus is unfinished. I care deeply about the programs and initiatives being brought to campus. I joined Sigma Gamma Rho sorority to be an active member of my community and I love to support my fellow Cardinals in any way I can.”
Sigma Gamma Rho have left their mark on the community by raising money for breast cancer awareness, collecting feminine hygiene products for women’s shelters and distributing free baby supplies to young mothers.
Sisterhood, scholarship and service within the community is a part of their rich legacy and will continue to be for many years.
