Campus parties may be the first thing that most students think of when considering joining a sorority. However, for members of sororities at Detroit Mercy, the experience is about much more.
Sydney Upton, a sophomore in the biology major, is part of the Gamma Phi Beta sorority, and she shares how being part of this sorority has been challenging but has brought her so much, especially when trying to do academics, personal life and sorority responsibilities, but she says the experience has been rewarding.
“I loved their sisterhood and felt accepted immediately. I also love our values and what we stand for,” Upton said.
She mentions how being part of this group taught her essential skills to have in your daily life, such as “leadership, planning, and networking skills”.
Same as Upton, Anna Lassen is also a sophomore biology major and part of the Gamma Phi Beta sorority, and she is a member of the women’s basketball team. She says joining a sorority gave her a new way to connect with people beyond athletics.
“I wanted to meet new people outside of sport because most of my friends come from sport,” she said.
For Lassen, the sorority provided an opportunity to create new friendships and learn from individuals with different perspectives.
“I learned that everybody has different interests,” she added, reflecting on how her group helped her understand others.
Balancing academics, athletics, and sorority life isn’t easy, especially with Lassen’s goal of becoming a doctor and being an athlete. But she says time management has been really important.
“You have to pick and choose what you want to do and when you want to do it,” she explained.
Makayla Jackson, a junior Business student, is part of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority. Similar to others, she mentions how her sorority is like a true sisterhood to her.
“Join a sisterhood and be a part of something bigger than me when it comes to giving back and community service,” she said.
Jackson has emphasized the skills that joining her sorority brought her for her daily life.
“How to get along with people of all sorts of personalities,” she said. “As well as many life skills and business skills that I have learned and are still learning from not only serving in my sorority but being on the executive board so being extra involved.”
For these women, sorority life at Detroit Mercy is far more than just social events. It’s a community where they develop friendships and build leadership skills for the rest of their lives.