Delta Xi Phi won chapter of the year during a conference in Baltimore this July. President Veronica Smith, senior biology major, was sitting with her fellow sorority sisters at a banquet at the end of the conference, listening to the awards joking around that they could keep eating as they would not win.
Smith heard the words of a paper that she submitted over the summer that she poured her heart into.
“I wanted to paint a perfect picture of how I feel about our sisters,” Smith said. “I wanted the national board to know how amazing our sisters are.”
The Cabrini chapter was not expecting to win and Smith’s essay summing up the previous years with her sisters focused on how everyone benefited and grew during the year. “It is not to say we had a perfect year,” Smith said. “We are far from perfect but we want to be an example for those who want to exemplify and improve what the organization stands for.”
Fellow chapters include Ohio State and John’s Hopkins University that “We communicate and look up to,” Smith said. Although the sisters are from schools across the country, Smith insists that all members are “Cultured, intelligent and interested in exploring the world.”
During the convention, members attended various workshops including fundraising, social identity, social justice and transitioning to a young professional.
The sorority is dedicated to benefiting cancer research. Every October, the sorority walks in the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides for Breast Cancer and participates in Cabrini’s Relay for Life in the spring.
In addition, the members assist in the local humane society drive, AIDS Walk, and the Alex’s Lemonade Stand and run. “Community service does not feel like work,” Smith adds.
Throughout the year Delta Xi Phi holds bake sales in Founder’s lobby. 50 to 100 percent of the proceeds are directly donated to the American Cancer Society. Smith explains that all members must pay dues which cover the cost of membership and activities. Therefore any extra money raised is an opportunity to give back to their philanthropy.
If it was not for a friend dragging Smith along to welcome week activities, she would not have had the incredible opportunities and memories that come along with being a member of the sorority.
“The girls were so easy to talk to; interesting and confident,” Smith said. “I wanted to be that confident, fun and a nice leader.”
Instead of having a clear vision of joining the sorority, Smith “never thought about Greek life,” Smith is ecstatic that she was able to join as she was able to “foster leadership skills” and find some of her best friends. She continues to strive for the fun and welcoming atmosphere that drew her to Delta Xi Phi. “They treated me like I knew them forever, we take care of each other,” Smith said.
Sorority life is depicted in movies and television shows, yet these sisters do not live in a house on campus. Still, members can live together on campus, “have family dinners and go to dances together.”
Supporting other clubs and activities is important to the sorority to make campus life thrive. Last year, Delta Xi Phi supported the National Eating Disorder Awareness Week and Be(you)tiful fashion show with Active Minds and the Body Image Coalition (BIC).
Sorority members “have different majors and are involved in clubs including CAP board and Student Government which broadens the college experience.”
The sorority is able to grow from guidance of its adviser, alumnae base, fellow sororities and the national board. Delta Xi Phi’s new adviser, Colleen Poole is joining for this year. “We are very excited, so happy to work with her,” Smith said.
As the external VP of alumni liaisons, Smith is able to keep members involved with what is happening on campus and charitable events.
Equally as excited is Ms. Poole, field experience coordinator and education professor. “I was thrilled to be asked to be the Faculty Advisor for Delta Xi Phi. I have seen all of the service projects that the sorority participates in and feel that they are great role models on campus,” Poole said. “Their enthusiasm at events is contagious. When you see the group all together you know that there is something special about the bond they share. I am looking forward to working with these wonderful young women.”
A new year is exciting, and Smith encourages students to enjoy welcome week activities and consider joining. At the same time, she hopes that students are “joining for the right reasons; they are involved in the community, care a lot about Cabrini, support friends and are willing to spend time working for a cause.”
