Sorority in BIG-C to reactivate

After four years of inactivity, Delta Sigma Theta -- the first traditionally black sorority at Penn -- will return to campus this semester. The reactivation process began last night, when an introductory meeting was held by the Philadelphia alumni graduate chapter, open to anyone interested in becoming a member of one of the most storied sororities in the history of the University. With the reactivation of the Gamma chapter of Delta Sigma Theta, the Bicultural InterGreek Council will have seven organizations consisting of active Penn students. According to Program Coordinator for the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs Larry Moses, the highly anticipated return of Delta Sigma Theta represents a great success for the BIG-C. "We are very proud and very pleased to announce that Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., has begun the reactivation process," Moses said. "This is just one small step in continuing to grow, and it is a huge step nonetheless," BIG-C President and College junior Chris Padilla said. Held in high regard by the Greek system, Delta Sigma Theta is known for notable alumni, such as Sadie T. Alexander. Alexander -- the namesake of the new Penn-assisted elementary school -- served as the first president of Delta Sigma Theta at Penn in 1921. She was the first black to earn a degree from Penn's School of Law, served on President Truman's Committee on Civil Rights and died in 1989 after being recognized as one of Philadelphia's leading citizens. Vice Provost of University Life Valarie Swain-Cade McCoullum was also a member of the sorority and played an instrumental role in bringing it back to campus. With this spring's reactivation of Delta Sigma Theta, last fall's reactivation of the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity and the expected reactivation of city-wide fraternity Omega Psi Phi sometime next year, the BIG-C is in the midst of a growth spurt. "We're looking forward to the addition of [Delta] as well as additional growth in existing organizations already on campus," Padilla said. "I definitely think that with numbers comes visibility, and visibility leads to interest. The community is going to see a lot more of us. "Getting Delta Sigma Theta back on campus... helps us [achieve] our existing goal of growing in general and increasing our numbers," Padilla added. With an estimated 35 to 40 students affiliated with BIG-C organizations at present, both Moses and Padilla believe that increasing the number of BIG-C groups on campus will only have positive ramifications. Just years ago, the BIG-C was struggling with critically low membership numbers. "I have seen the pendulum swing back in the opposite direction," Moses said, indicating that interest in BIG-C organizations is rising and emphasizing that Delta Sigma Theta should attract membership from all, not just black women at Penn. "Delta Sigma Theta was always a vibrant part of this campus," Moses said. "Their return is only the beginning of the future of the BIG-C."