HUNTINGDON COLLEGE
News Release
December 13, 2023
For more information, contact:
Dr. Anthony Leigh, aleigh@hawks.huntingdon.edu
A Celebration of Sisterhood
Montgomery, Ala. – Over 150 Huntingdon women participated in one of the College’s four sororities during the Fall 2023 semester. These organizations – Alpha Kappa Alpha, Alpha Omicron Pi, Chi Omega, and Phi Mu – provide a place for social engagement for Huntingdon students, an outlet for service and leadership development, and a network of women on and off-campus who become a meaningful part of their college experience for four years and beyond. A leader of each Huntingdon sorority was asked to talk about their organization and their individual Greek life experience in the Q and A below.
Q. What did your chapter do special for recruitment?
Ariel Dixon, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated: We welcomed a new sister in our sorority this past semester. Mecca Townsend is a junior from Montgomery, Alabama. Mecca is heavily involved in campus life and also serves as the Present of Kappa Kappa Psi. The ladies of Rho Chi were so happy for her to join our sorority and cannot wait to see how she grows within Alpha Kappa Alpha.
Nevaeh McIntyre, Alpha Omicron Pi: Our chapter highlighted our philanthropy, The Arthritis Foundation, and ways we were actively involved in fundraising and volunteering. In addition to this, I feel like one of our strong points throughout recruitment is the sisterhood aspect. We were passionate, motivated to share, and intentional with each girl coming through recruitment.
LG Wilson, Chi Omega: I always think Chi Omega recruitment is extremely special, but this year our recruitment chair made the majority of our decorations herself. Doing this gave our recruitment a personal touch and really showcased the many talents of our girls. We had a set of our wooden letters redone to have pictures of us pasted on them, which gave us a way to not only talk about our sisterhood, but actually show potential new members some of our memories with each other
Steele Segrest, Phi Mu: We held our recruitment workshop at the beach! This was a wonderful experience because after finishing all of our work to prepare us for recruitment we were able to spend the rest of our time on the beach enjoying the company of our sisters. It was a great bonding experience as we were able to grow our sisterhood during our vacation.
Q. What were your philanthropy events?
Ariel Dixon, Alpha Kappa Alpha: The Rho Chi Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated held our annual Skee Week full of informative events. Skee week is a week-long event that undergraduate chapters hold on their campus. Chapters plan engaging events for the student body and their chapter. The events the chapter of Rho Chi put on included a campus cleanup and talks on finance and social justice that were open to students on campus. These events fall into place with our sorority’s initiatives.
Nevaeh McIntyre, Alpha Omicron Pi: We had a handful of philanthropy events this semester. To describe a few, we hosted the following: “Crumbl Arthritis” where we sold Crumbl cookies on campus. “AOII Goes Blue” was also hosted in an effort to encourage the campus to wear blue to bring awareness to our philanthropy. Sisters passed out blue dum dums with facts about juvenile arthritis. “Strike out September” was our newest fundraising approach where we encouraged sisters to post a graphic on social media in order to promote juvenile arthritis awareness while also raising money each day that would be donated to The Arthritis Foundation. This was wildly successful and we were able to raise $7,114 in one month alone!
LG Wilson, Chi Omega: This year we did Pie-A-Chi O which is always a hit. We did a purse raffle, and a raffle for a Make-A-Wish blue yeti cooler. These events helped us be able to raise money to throw a wish party in the Spring of 2023, where we granted a local baseball player’s wish of going to Disneyland.
Steele Segrest, Phi Mu: Our philanthropy is the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. This semester we sold “Coffee for CMNH.” We had the Montgomery Nutrition truck come to campus and were able to give proceeds to CMNH. We also held our first ever “Wing Fest” in collaboration with Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity.
Q. What social events did your chapter have this semester?
Ariel Dixon, Alpha Kappa Alpha: We held a social event with our sister chapter, Beta Pi located on the campus of Alabama State University. We came together as sisters to discuss ways we can help one another on our prospective campus and in the Montgomery community.
Nevaeh McIntyre, Alpha Omicron Pi: Our chapter hosted so many fun social events this past semester. We had our annual semi-formal dance which is always such a blast. In addition to this we had a swap with Sig Ep to have a pumpkin carving contest, and a swap with Lambda Chi to have slip-n-slide kick ball. We also partnered with Panhellenic to have a Halloween event with Phi Mu! We also enjoyed several other social events within our own sisterhood such as a come-and-go nacho bar during finals week, a tea from MGM Nutrition sponsored by AOII, Parent’s weekend, and tailgates every home game.
LG Wilson, Chi Omega: We had a glow in the dark paint party with Lambda Chi Alpha, we did a date party with the theme “Chi Tie”, we had semi-formal in the Spring, formal in the Fall, we swapped twice with Sigma Nu playing different party games and had an ice cream social, and we attended the Greek Sister Social event.
Steele Segrest, Phi Mu: Phi Mu had our semi-formal this semester and the theme was “Falling for Phi Mu.” We had a “Boot Scootin’ Boogie” themed swap with Sigma Nu. We had a “Game Night” swap with Sigma Phi Epsilon. We also held a social event for all the sororities at Phi Mu’s new house which was Halloween themed!
Q. What sisterhood events / education events did you have?
Ariel Dixon, Alpha Kappa Alpha: The ladies of Rho Chi held an educational presentation for the Pink and Pearls for Girls youth empowerment group located in Montgomery. The event was led by our newest member, Mecca, and the chapter members helped as well. This interactive presentation helps the young girls ages 10-16 learn ways to be a leader.
Nevaeh McIntyre, Alpha Omicron Pi: We had numerous sisterhood events as well. To name a few, we hosted a Barbie themed sisterhood retreat, a “sweet treat” chapter, and an alumni pasta bar. We also enjoyed having guest speakers be a part of our chapters as well as educating our sisters on topics such as social media safety and their digital footprint, applying our ritual to daily life, as well as the importance of mental health. All of these topics were important to our sisters while offering a different perspective on reality and how to handle stress in challenging times.
LG Wilson, Chi Omega: We went to Nancy’s Italian Ice, had sisterhood paint parties, we did goat yoga, a spa night, a PowerPoint night, we had multiple movie nights, and did a sisterhood retreat where we played bonding games and painted canvases together.
Steele Segrest, Phi Mu: This semester we had our sisterhood retreat which we held at Bowlero in Montgomery. We also held game nights and movie nights throughout the semester at Phi Mu’s house to help our sisterhood grow.
Q. Give a shoutout to one or two sisters who really stepped up this semester as a leader.
Ariel Dixon, Alpha Kappa Alpha: Jenilyn Davis and Terryn Abner stepped up in Rho Chi this semester. They both worked hard to change our chapter for the better in bringing in our new initiatives and keeping the student body engaged. These two sisters help strengthen our sisterhood daily!
Nevaeh McIntyre, Alpha Omicron Pi: Although all of our sisters are great, we would like to shout out Trinity Treadway! Trinity steps up to whatever she is called to do. She leads not only by her character but also finds ways to help those around her. From the moment she joined AOII and ran home, she was able to find her role as a sister and involve herself all that she could. She was eager to learn all things AOII in order to serve to the best of her abilities with a dashing smile on her face doing so. We are so proud of Trinity and her efforts to make our sisterhood better.
LG Wilson, Chi Omega: If there is one sister I can shout out it would be Jayy Neston. She is one of the hardest working women I know and went above and beyond in her role as Social Chair to make sure everyone was happy and excited about our events. She’s strong and independent, but also knows when to ask for help. She’s a role model to our younger girls, and a positive influence on everyone in this chapter. She stands up for what she believes in and never backs down from a challenge. I am incredibly thankful for Jayy and everything she has done for us, and I know she will continue to thrive and make Chi Omega better in the coming years.
Steele Segrest, Phi Mu: I want to shout out Madison Daughtery as she was our Membership Assistant this year. Madison is a sophomore and this position is typically for upperclassmen. She did all the work behind the scenes and had to learn everything about recruitment during the summer. Recruitment was a shining moment for her as she showed our chapter her resilience, patience, and poise as she handled every situation perfectly! She truly is a wonderful leader and we are so thankful that she is our Membership Director and will be leading us through recruitment next year as well!
Q. How did you see your chapter grow this semester – both in terms of womanpower and growth as a sisterhood.
Ariel Dixon, Alpha Kappa Alpha: Our chapter grew this semester in many ways especially in womanpower and as a sisterhood. We welcomed a new sister, Mecca Townsend, into our illustrious sorority. We grew closer together to find ways to enhance our presence on campus and engage the student body with our mission of being of service to all mankind.
Nevaeh McIntyre, Alpha Omicron Pi: I saw our chapter grow this semester as a supportive sisterhood. I was able to see girls eagerly take on leadership opportunities and encourage those around Huntingdon’s campus. Our bond as a sisterhood is one of consistency and stability and our chapter really leaned into that – understanding the support remains on the good and bad days.
LG Wilson, Chi Omega: I saw our chapter grow in numbers, but I also saw the chapter grow in leadership. We had a large incoming class, so we all had to step up and help. When someone needed help, it was not a question of IF people would show up, it was how many will show up. We have gone through a lot as a chapter in the past four years, but this group of women is the most selfless and loving group I have ever seen in Lambda Kappa.
Steele Segrest, Phi Mu: We were blessed this last semester to welcome in a new pledge class! The incorporation of new girls has generated much excitement for our chapter and led us to create more bonds with each other which is visible inside and outside of our chapter room. We see how our girls are striving for leadership roles and thriving in everything that they pursue. We have seen girls excited to step into leadership roles and work towards the betterment of our chapter and the campus community.
Q. What is your favorite aspect of Greek life?
Ariel Dixon, Alpha Kappa Alpha: My favorite aspect of Greek life is all of the different aspects that each sorority and fraternity brings to campus life at Huntingdon. Alpha Kappa Alpha represents everything that I have always strived for in an organization and this sorority gives my sisters and me the opportunity to better ourselves within this organization.
Nevaeh McIntyre, Alpha Omicron Pi: My favorite thing about Greek life is the friendship it brings along with the truth that each woman is so uniquely different while serving one purpose – to lean into those that love you and want to see you succeed in all of your future endeavors. It has offered me a lifetime of connections and relationships I could never forget.
LG Wilson, Chi Omega: My favorite aspect of Greek Life is the friendships. Not only do I get to become close with 50 women who share the same values that I do, but I also get to network and become close to women in other chapters. By having swaps and joint tailgates, we all get to come together and make friends outside of the four walls we call our home. We also make connections with the fraternities in the same ways, joining all of our organizations together as one unit.
Steele Segrest, Phi Mu: My favorite aspect of Greek life is all the amazing people you meet along the way! Greek life is a great way to network across campus but also in the community. Another one of my favorite aspects of Greek life is that it will help you find friends that will last a lifetime!
Q. How do Huntingdon sororities work together for the betterment of Huntingdon?
Ariel Dixon, Alpha Kappa Alpha: They work together to ensure all missions and philanthropic efforts are met. Sororities build sisterhood within our Huntingdon community that last a lifetime.
Nevaeh McIntyre, Alpha Omicron Pi: Huntingdon sororities work together to encourage girls to get involved in organizations on campus, to be diligent with time spent serving our community, and to inspire ambition in girls – giving them the encouragement that they can be a leader. All of these qualities serve for the betterment of Huntingdon College as each girl finds their home.
LG Wilson, Chi Omega: We all step up and help each other inside and outside of Greek Life. We attend each other’s philanthropy events, but we also attend each other’s SGA events and sporting events, rooting for our girls and theirs. Greek Life can have a stigma that the letters you wear on your chest separate you from others. In my eyes, we are all joined together by our different insignia. It makes us different from each other but connected at the same time. Students in Greek life as a whole are the most supportive individuals on campus, and we are always willing to help each other in every way we can.
Steele Segrest, Phi Mu: Sororities promote growth and participation across Huntingdon’s campus by modeling leadership and strong interpersonal relationships. Sororities provide tools for girls to grow and support each other, not only in their sororities but across the Huntingdon campus.
Q. Have you had an opportunity to participate in any national sorority meetings / conferences / conventions?
Ariel Dixon, Alpha Kappa Alpha: The ladies of Rho Chi had the opportunity to attend the leadership seminar conference in Chicago this past summer. Members had the opportunity to earn certifications and attend seminars that will better their chapter on their campus. We have also attended the annual regional conference that was held in Huntsville. The chapter members were able to work alongside officials within our sorority and learn new skills to better our sorority.
Nevaeh McIntyre, Alpha Omicron Pi: I was able to attend the AOII national convention over the summer and it offered me so much insight into how to further our success as a chapter. I was able to make connections with other AOII presidents and gain insight into better ways to lead, how to keep business meetings, etc. entertaining, while also enjoying time with other sisters all across the world.
LG Wilson, Chi Omega: I attended Firesides Leadership Training in Atlanta in February, which gave me the opportunity to meet and connect with all of the Chi Omega presidents from the southern states. This is one of my most fond memories of Chi O, as I learned so much and felt more ready to lead my chapter to excellence afterward.
Steele Segrest, Phi Mu: Yes! Every year Phi Mu holds its Phi Mu Officer Academy in Orlando and every year we have 4-5 members attend. I had the privilege of attending this year and will be able to attend next year along with Madison Daughtery, Hannah Kross Emfinger, and Preslie Knox. Phi Mu also holds a national convention every two years. In the summer of 2024, I along with two other members will be attending Phi Mu’s national convention!
Q. If you have an opportunity to speak to an incoming student about why they should join a sorority, what would you tell them?
Ariel Dixon, Alpha Kappa Alpha: I would tell an incoming student that joining a sorority and being a part of a sisterhood is something that you will forever cherish. The women in Huntingdon’s campus work together in our sororities to better our experience at Huntingdon for each other and our students.
Nevaeh McIntyre, Alpha Omicron Pi: If I had an opportunity to speak to an incoming student about joining a sorority I would tell them that the sisterhood you gain is worth all of the uncertainty and doubt they may face throughout their college journey and the stereotypes behind sororities. Joining Greek life opens up so many opportunities and connections to people on our campus as well as our community. It allows you to grow in your leadership skills, discover things about yourself, and offers guidance – which is helpful to all career fields. Lastly, I would tell them that joining a sorority gives you a home away from home. It brings you an entire sisterhood of girls who become family!
LG Wilson, Chi Omega: Just do it!! Greek life can be intimidating, but Huntingdon College is the perfect place to go Greek. The process is less intimidating than it seems and the reward for allowing yourself to be vulnerable for a few days is well worth it. Greek life gives you opportunities to network with people off-campus and allows you to share an inseparable bond with the people in your chapter. Even if being in a sorority “isn’t your thing”, it can be your thing if you let it be. Truthfully, I went to bid day with no intentions of enjoying my time in a sorority and I was shocked at how much I fell in love with it. By allowing myself to be vulnerable, I allowed myself to grow in ways I never thought possible. I grew as a leader, as a friend, as a daughter, and as a person. I do not know where or who I would be if I let my fears stop me from joining Chi Omega, and I thank God every day that he gave me the safe place that is my sisterhood. The four years I have had in this chapter have been the best four years of my life, and I will miss it dearly when I’m gone. So, my advice to anyone thinking about Greek life, is to tuck your fears away and go for it!
Steele Segrest, Phi Mu: I would tell any incoming student that they should go through recruitment at Huntingdon because it is something special! It is a great way for incoming students to meet new people in all of the sororities. It also allows you to learn more about yourself during the process. I am so glad that I was encouraged to go through recruitment as I can see how much it has helped me grow in all aspects of my life! My sorority sisters are my support system; there is always someone to turn to in a time of need. My sorority gave me a ‘home away from home’ with many new sisters and friends that I will be blessed with for years to come!
###
Huntingdon College, in accordance with Title IX and Section 106.8 of the 2020 Final Rule under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, other applicable federal and state law, and stated College policy, prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex. Similarly, it prohibits discrimination on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, religion, age and/or national origin in its education program
