Greek life has been part of LSSU’s campus for decades. For some alumni, their best college memories revolve around their involvement with campus sororities and fraternities and the friends they made while participating in Greek life. For some current students, their Greek life brothers and sisters are their closest friends and strongest supporters as they finish out the year. Not all students are involved in Greek life, but those who are have made the best of their experiences and work hard to inform others of what opportunities exist on campus and what a sorority or fraternity may have to offer them.
We spoke to the 2023-2024 Inter-Greek Council Chair, Martyna Berto, who has been involved in Greek life since her freshman year at LSSU, about her thoughts on past, present, and future Greek life at LSSU. Her insight as someone with longstanding-involvement and such an important role within Greek life is valuable, especially to current and incoming LSSU students who are interested in Greek life but don’t know where to start.
Martyna got involved in Greek life when her friends piqued her interest during her freshman year, and she got to meet those who were involved in the campus sororities at the time. Martyna said, “I encourage others to get involved with Greek life because it is a home away from home with plenty to offer.” She went on to say, “In my experience, I was able to participate in numerous fun activities, make life-long connections, and give back to my community alongside my best friends. Greek life also pushed me to become the best version of myself and taught me things I wouldn’t have otherwise learned. Greek life can be a resume booster and those who participate can get hats, shirts, and other memorabilia not only to remember their brothers and sisters by later in life, but also to increase their group’s visibility on campus.” Martyna added, “I never thought I’d participate in Greek life, especially as it isn’t common in my home country, Canada, but I have enjoyed my time and I’m grateful I took the leap to give it a try.”
To those who have never considered joining a sorority or fraternity, or have done so in the past and have had poor experiences, Martyna said, “I understand Greek life isn’t for everyone, but I encourage anyone who is willing to give it a try.” She added, “no one knows for sure that they won’t like participating in the groups on campus until they get to know active participants and give it a try. Joining Greek life can also bring more excitement to one’s time at LSSU. Many students dislike that there are a limited number of fun events and activities on campus for students to get involved in, an Greek life is a great means to get involved with the campus community and set up more opportunities for students to take a break from schoolwork and have some fun, and because the campus is small, its easier to develop deep connections with other and make positive changes on the campus community.”
When asked what she hopes Greek life at LSSU to look like in the future, Martyna said, “I hope that the groups on campus continue to grow and thrive.” She added that, “the COVID-19 pandemic and restrictions brought about by it had a negative impact on the participants and activities in Greek life, but we have since worked hard to host more school and community events and get more students involved.”
Over the past year, Martyna and other Greek life members have done their best to show other students what it means to be part of Greek life and made a positive impact for all Greek life groups on campus. This year, Alpha Theta Omega’s Rock-a-thon won Event of the Year at the Student Government’s Leadership Banquet Awards, and Tau Kappa Epsilon has seen a significant increase in membership. Greek life groups were also able to host Greek Week this year for the first time since 2019, holding events such as a color run, movie showings, raffles, and silent disco. Martyna commented, “Myself and other Greek life leaders have been working with administration and hope to bring back Greek housing on campus in the near future.” She went on to say, “Greek life is in good hands and full of passionate, hardworking members who will continue to work toward bettering and expanding Greek life on campus.”
If you are an LSSU alum who would like to catch up with your old sorority or fraternity, or a current or incoming student who is considering getting involved with Greek life, check out the information below on LSSU’s three active sororities and fraternities. Get to know what their goals are, the environments and opportunities they foster, the community service and philanthropy they dedicate themselves to, and who is currently involved.
Alpha Theta Omega (ΑΘΩ)
Alpha Theta Omega is a sorority established at LSSU in 1997. Their motto is “If you want to be loved, love and be loveable.” The sorority promotes loving one another and spreading love and positivity to everyone around them.
Alpha Theta Omega aims to establish a “home away from home” for members to feel comfortable during their time at LSSU, and to promote academic and social achievement in members.
Philanthropy
Alpha Theta Omega’s major annual fundraisers are Rock-a-thon and Spaghetti Dinner, each of which donate all proceeds to the Chippewa County Health Department’s Pink Ribbon Fund and Breast Cancer Research Foundation respectively. The sorority aims to show support for their community by supporting breast cancer research and awareness.
Alpha Kappa Chi (AKX)
Alpha Kappa Chi is the oldest sorority at LSSU, established on campus in 1978. Their motto is “esse quam vidiri” or “to be, rather than seem to be,” and emphasizes the importance of being one’s true self.
Alpha Kappa Chi aims to build a strong community and sisterhood with unbreakable bonds between all members.
Philanthropy
Alpha Kappa Chi’s major fundraisers are Teeter-Totter-a-Thon for the Diane Peppler Resource Center and Epilepsy Foundation, and spring fundraisers for the American Diabetes Association and Cystic Fibrosis Research. The sorority aims to support their community by raising funds for causes most important to their members.
Tau Kappa Epsilon (TKE)
Tau Kappa Epsilon is one of the largest collegiate fraternities in North America with over 220 active chapters, one of which is at LSSU. The Rho Theta chapter was founded on campus in 1987 with the goal to build “Better Men for a Better World.”
Tau Kappa Epsilon aims to aid men in their mental, moral, and social development, and to advance society through service to others and the personal growth of members.
Philanthropy
The Rho Theta chapter is known for their annual Tub Push in conjunctions witn NMU’s Theta-Iota chapter, in which a bathtub on wheels is pushed over 160 miles to Marquette, MI, to raise funds for St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. The fraternity aims to give back to their community by supporting a cause important to them.
