Sigma Kappa Sorority to Return to University of Memphis

Contact: Gabrielle Maxey
901.678.2843
gmaxey@memphis.edu

March 19, 2015 - The Beta Xi Chapter of Sigma Kappa Sorority will return to the University of Memphis sorority/fraternity community following formal recruitment this fall.

"I am just delighted to have Sigma Kappa return to the University," said Dr. Rosie Phillips Bingham, vice president for Student Affairs. "They will help us implement our goals of expanding fraternity/sorority affiliation, growing student organizations and developing leaders for our campus community."

This announcement follows exponential growth in membership for the Panhellenic Council, where sororities saw average chapter sizes grow from 70 to 113 over three years. The organizations, in conjunction with the National Panhellenic Conference, spent the past six months hosting focus groups and conducting surveys to determine if the time was right to add a new sorority to the community. All information gathered during this time supported the decision to invite Sigma Kappa to return to the University.

"It is great for the University of Memphis to welcome back Sigma Kappa. I look forward to having students engage once again in an organization that has great alumnae and a valuable history with the University," added Danny Armitage, associate vice president for Student Affairs/Student Life and dean of students.

"Sigma Kappa is excited about the opportunity to recolonize our Beta Xi Chapter at the University of Memphis," said Sara Chacon, Sigma Kappa's national vice president for extension. "Both the University of Memphis and Sigma Kappa recruit students who hold themselves to high academic and moral standards, while striving to be involved leaders and role models in their community. We look forward to joining the outstanding fraternity/sorority community at the U of M."

Sigma Kappa was founded at Colby College in Waterville, Maine, in 1874. Valuing personal growth, friendship, service and loyalty, the sorority has initiated over 152,000 women worldwide. The purpose of Sigma Kappa is "to provide women lifelong opportunities and support for social, intellectual and spiritual development by bringing women together to positively impact our communities."

The Beta Xi Chapter of Sigma Kappa was chartered at the University of Memphis in 1947. The chapter became dormant in 2010.