Sigma Phi Epsilon brought in our largest number of initiates from an all-men’s group. Also known as, SigEp, they represent the largest fraternity with 241 chapters nationwide.

Our largest all-women’s constituency came from Delta Gamma. Delta Gamma has almost 150 chapters nationwide.  

These organizations obviously make scholarship a core value in their fraternities. Congrats to both of these groups for your commitment to academic achievement in the fraternity/sorority community and thank you for your support of Gamma Sigma Alpha!

Gamma Sigma Alpha Board of Directors, Summer 2010

The Board of Directors for Gamma Sigma Alpha meet semi-annually and recently convened in Indianapolis for our Summer Retreat. Eleven of our twelve board members attended and our time together was productive. We typically spend a bit of time on business aspects of the organization: Bylaw Updates, Financial Policy revisions and evaluating the state of the organization. In addition to this, we also find ourselves asking some deeper questions, including:

• How can an academic honor society contribute to the overall academic mission of our host schools?
• How can we continue to serve our students through programming, scholarships and academic support?
• What recognition can we provide for the advisors at our host institutions that make our chapters so successful?
• What intentional partnerships can we form to make the foundation of our organization stronger than ever?

These are questions that don’t have easy answers but led us to some powerful dialogue. If you read this and ever have any suggestions or comments regarding Gamma Sigma Alpha, simply send a message through the CONTACT US page. As for the Board or Directors, thanks for all you do!

Mallorie Rodak was initiated into the Eta Omicron chapter of Gamma Sigma Alpha in 1996. She served the chapter at Drury University, during her undergraduate years, as Vice President of Public Relations and President. She is a proud Zeta Tau Alpha alumna currently pursuing her master’s degree in Advertising at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas.

In addition to Gamma Sigma Alpha, Rodak was involved in the Panhellenic Council, Drury’s Advertising Team, Mortar Board and logged over 200 hours in community service. Her service involvement benefited the Humane Society of Tulsa, the Boys and Girls Club and Relay for Life.

When asked about the benefits of her involvement with Gamma Sigma Alpha, Rodak said, “My membership in both Gamma Sigma Alpha and the Greek community has helped me develop valuable skills for the professional workplace. I’ve gained experience as a leader among my peers, improved my interpersonal communication skills, and learned how to become an effective team player.”

A professor at Drury wrote Rodak’s reference letter and stated, “I am continually amazed at the involvement and passion Mallorie possesses in every aspect of her busy life. She is able to juggle several leadership positions, organizational memberships, theater commitments and academic work and still be passionate and enthusiastic about every task that comes her way.” Rodak is another student Gamma Sigma Alpha is proud to call a member of the society!

This is the final “Scholarship Spotlight” from the 2009-2010 academic year. Gamma Sigma Alpha will announce recipients for the 2010-2011 academic year this summer.

This Honor Roll represents the top 10% of Fraternity and Sorority Communities in North America.

 Spring 2009 Results

Northeast
Babson College

Southeast
Sororities
Western Kentucky University
Fraternities
Western Kentucky University
Midwest
Oklahoma State University
Western
University of San Diego
 

Fall 2009 Results

Northeast
New England College
Southeast
Sororities
Western Kentucky University
Fraternities
Birmingham-Southern College
Midwest
Missouri State University
Western
University of San Diego

 Spring 2009

(Fraternity and Sorority Communities whose GPA is above the non-fraternity and sorority GPA)

Fall 2009

(Fraternity and Sorority Communities whose GPA is above the non-fraternity and sorority GPA)

Gamma Sigma Alpha National Academic Greek Honor Society is the premier organization committed to the academic success of our members and aligning with the academic missions of the institutions that house our chapters. We are over 200 chapters strong and growing every day.

“Since becoming a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, I have been honored to join the Order of Omega and Gamma Sigma Alpha. That recognition was extremely important since there are many misconceptions about the academic abilities of students in a Greek organization,” wrote Paige Fennell in her scholarship application. Fennell, a graduate of the University of South Carolina was one of our six 2009-2010 graduate student scholarship recipients. She is currently pursuing her graduate degree in teaching at the University of South Carolina. A former professor said, “She is a born educator and a gifted communicator! I am immensely proud of her work and have every expectation that she will go on to distinguish herself in graduate school and beyond.”

Fennell is an outstanding student, but also realized she could learn a lot outside of the classroom and excelled as a student employee, working with the Registrar’s office and the Department of Education. In addition to Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, she was involved in many other student organizations and volunteered in the community. She served as a tutor to high school students and was involved as a minority peer mentor.

Gamma Sigma Alpha is proud to support Paige Fennell as she pursues her dreams and hopes that her leadership will inspire a future generation of educators!

Charter members of Gamma Sigma Alpha at Ohio Wesleyan University gather after their induction ceremony

What do Brooklyn College, Indiana University, Miles College, Ohio Wesleyan University and Baldwin-Wallace College all have in common? These five institutions took the steps this semester to charter a chapter of Gamma Sigma Alpha within their fraternity/sorority communities. Evidence again, that Gamma Sigma Alpha can be successful with a large Greek community or small, public school or private, liberal or conservative. With 212 chartered chapters nationwide, Gamma Sigma Alpha is growing. If you don’t have a chapter, now is a great time to explore the possibilities. Welcome new Gamma Sigma Alpha charter members!

Coy is one of the 2009-2010 Graduate Student Scholarship Recipients

Christopher Coy has spent the year as a first-year graduate student at Syracuse University in New York. Coy is a Gamma Sigma Alpha initiate from Case Western Reserve University, where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Math and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics. He was a leader within the Beta Theta Pi Fraternity, serving his brothers as President, Recruitment Chair, Treasurer, Philanthropy chair and other roles during his undergraduate years.

Coy also served the larger Greek community, working in the Office of Greek Life and holding leadership positions in Gamma Sigma Alpha and Order of Omega. The Director of Greek Life, Wes Schaub, shared these thoughts with the selection committee, “Chris has become a valued influence within his chapter and the entire Greek community. Chris is not afraid of a challenge and is willing to take on the tasks that no one wants. He is able to organize these tasks and make them work improving morale and camaraderie along the way.”

Coy hopes to pursue a career in government and Gamma Sigma Alpha was proud to support his graduate school dreams. We wish him all the best.

Any initiated Gamma Sigma Alpha member with plans to pursue graduate school in the fall is eligible to apply. The deadline is April 30, 2010.

During her time at USC, she impressed faculty, students and staff alike. She was noted as a true scholar and a student leader by the staff member who recommended her for the Gamma Sigma Alpha graduate student scholarship. A few of her memberships included Sigma Delta Tau Sorority, USC’s Peer Mediation Program, Mortar Board, Golden Key and of course, Gamma Sigma Alpha. She led the alpha chapter of Gamma Sigma Alpha and was an advocate for the organization on campus.

Community service is another area Goodrich focused on as a student. She volunteered, asssisting Katrina victims during an Alternative Spring Break. Philanthropically, she raised money for Darfur genocide victims and collected items for a women’s shelter in Los Angeles.

Goodrich said, “Gamma Sigma Alpha has opened my eyes to the Greek community beyond my individual sorority. I was able to form connections with Greek leaders from many fraternities and make an impact on the entire system.”

The Gamma Sigma Alpha Board of Directors congratulates Goodrich on an exemplary academic record. There is no doubt she will continue to do good things and we wish her all the success in the world.

Academic Spotlight at Missouri State

Deadline to apply for the annual Regional GPA awards is January 26 and you can apply here.