NEWBERRY, S.C. (courtesy newberry.edu) — Newberry College has welcomed its newest Greek letter organization, the Upsilon Rho chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. The organization chartered the chapter and presented its nine charter members this spring.
“We, the members of the Nu Nu Sigma Alumnae Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho, are so overjoyed and proud of each of these young ladies,” said LaVelma Toland, the chapter’s advisor. “The sorors have worked hard, learned an extensive amount of history about the founders of Sigma Gamma Rho, the philanthropies, vision and mission of the sorority, and formed a lifetime bond with one another.”
The chapter’s charter members include:
- Sariah Alston, sophomore from Conway and chapter secretary
- Savannah Armistead, sophomore from North McClellanville and chapter treasurer
- Dyani Burke, senior from Columbia
- Ayu Douglas, senior from Winnsboro
- Victoria Noel, sophomore from Elgin and chapter historian
- Marley Rourk, freshman from Summerville and chapter vice president
- Kayshona Seabrook, junior from Charleston and chapter president
- Irma Watson Perez, junior from Sanford, Florida and chapter financial secretary
- Destyne Wells, senior from Laurens
Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. works to enhance quality of life for women and their families around the world through community service and civil and social action, Toland said. The sorority’s goals focus on progress in education, health, and leadership development.
Some of the sorority’s national programs include Operation Big Book Bag, for at-risk school-aged children; Swim 1922, a partnership with the U.S. Olympic Swim Team; and Women’s Wellness Initiative, which focuses on health issues impacting women and, specifically, women of color.
The sorority was founded at Butler University in 1922 and boasts over 85,000 members and over 500 chapters across the United States, Bermuda, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Germany and South Korea.
Sigma Gamma Rho is the fifth active sorority on Newberry College’s campus, joining Alpha Kappa Alpha, Alpha Xi Delta, Kappa Delta and Sigma Sigma Sigma.
Please click here to read the entire news release on the Newberry College website.