A Panhellenic Mom’s Perspective

I was so excited Colleen decided to pursue Greek life. My college roommate and close friend is a Theta initiated at Penn State and my cousin Colleen (whose name I chose for our Colleen) is a Theta from Dickinson College.

We were moving Colleen in the day she had her first virtual recruitment party event, and it was with Theta. She was so nervous and we waited until she was finished so we could have dinner together before we left. She said that first night how much she liked the women with whom she spoke, and Theta remained her top choice throughout.

My fears were, "What if she doesn't get in?" and, "What if it's too much of a time commitment?" or even more so, "What if it’s a distraction?"

She was so excited to tell us when she received her bid.

I have seen Colleen experience tremendous growth since starting the whole recruitment process, but even more so since becoming Theta. She has become even more confident, she manages her time quite well by keeping busy, she's very motivated to do well academically, and it has been such a blessing to have an instant support system while trying to acclimate to college life during a pandemic.

Through COVID-19, it’s been such a different experience with everything virtual (including initiation), and it's taking a little longer to forge those bonds of sisterhood. Thankfully, she was able to reserve a room in the house for the fall and has made some terrific friends through the big-little revelation, chapter meetings, virtual socials, and Theta's participation in UDance (Delaware's dance marathon philanthropy). I am so excited for her and her sisters to start experiencing sorority life post-pandemic!