Multicultural organization add diversity to Greeks
In 1999, Sharon Pewtress, a USU student, took a challenge presented by the Mulitcultural Student Center to start a new sorority.
After much searching and pouring over many websites, Sharon came across the Theta Nu Xi homepage. As she saw that the greek letters spelled out the word “ONE”, she knew the search was over.
A year later, on April 22, the Utah State chapter of Theta Nu Xi Multicultural Sorority, Inc. was born. The founding sisters, Mandy Richmond (president), Sothara Tieng, Sandy Eng, Sharon Pewtress, April Yap, Carol Cabanillas, Celestial Bybee, and Michelle Menninger, all wanted a sorority on campus that focused on the diversity of the students.
“We wanted to educate the campus a lot more on multiculturalism” said Menninger.
One of the sorority’s biggest activities took place last weekend in Salt Lake. “Walk as One,” a walk-a-thon held every year by The National Conference for Community and Justice, raises money for mulitcultural programs in schools.
The Utah State Theta Nu Xi chapter was the first chapter located out of the sorority’s home state in North Carolina. It was also the first multicultural sorority located in the western states. Currently with 18 members, Theta Nu Xi is expecting a lot of growth in the years to come.
When asked who could join Theta Nu Xi, Sothara was quick to assure that everyone was welcome, but a minimum of a 2.5 gpa is required. To become a member, girls have to submit a resume, 2 letters of reccomendation and go through an interview, among other things.
Theta Nu Xi runs things a little differntly than the other sororities on campus. They are not required to let a certain number of girls in each year, so their selection process is a little tougher. They let girls in who they feel can make a wonderful contribution to their sorority, not so they can reach quota.
When asked what makes their sorority so wonderful, Theta sister Martine Celestin said, “We all come together as one, hence our greek letters.”
Psi Sigma Phi Multicultural Fraternity, Inc., also found a home on campus spring of 2000. The founding brothers, Marcos Flores (president), Duane Finley, Nick Renfro, Steve Bishop, Brent Miller, Demetrio Cabanillas. Mike De Lao, and Khan Ngyuen felt that Logan needed some diversity.
The fraternity has grown from the eight founding brothers to 19 in the fall of 2000. They recently moved into their new house, located at 744 N. 700 E. and are eager to greet any visitors.
Like Theta Nu Xi, anyone can apply to become a member of Psi Sigma Phi. “People tend to have the misconseption that ‘multicultural’ means ‘minority.’ It doesn’t,” Finley said, “It means culture. There are so many cultures around Logan. Being black is a culture. Being white is a culture. Being LDS is a culture. Being gay is a culture.” Finley stressed that they accept everyone who they feel has “something to bring to the table.”
Psi Sigma Phi also participated in “Walk as One” this past weekend. They are currently involved in helping with multicultural afterschool programs in the local high schools. The brothers of Psi Sigma Phi feel they owe a lot to this year’s president, Flores. Finley said, “As humble as he may be, Marcos is the real reason Psi Sigma Phi is here on campus, and we brothers would like to thank him.” This Friday at 10 p.m. is the fraternities first annual “Pajama Jam” and all are invited and urged to come.
If you have any questions about Psi Sigma Phi or Theta Nu Xi, visit them on their Web sites at www.psisigmaphi.com and www.thetanuxi.org, or go to the new Psi Sigma Phi house. And bring your p.j.s and dancing shoes.