Theta Pi's Local History

In the fall of 1987, Sigma Kappa was looking to expand its sisterhood to another campus. Tracy Bryzozowski, a student interested in starting a sorority with some of her friends, after speaking to Margie Hall from Nation Headquarters, held meetings that October at her house on 41 North Street. Women came and went until November when membership was closed. Our first meeting was November 15, 1987, our local Founders Day.

On Thursday, November 3, 2005 Maureen Palumbo (President of Sigma Kappa), Danielle Dornbier (President of Delta Phi Epsilon), and Amy Howells (President of Sigma Delta Tau), informed the members of the Greek community that the three National sororities would be disaffiliating from the Inter-Greek- Council in order to become members of a college Panhellenic Council: a national sorority council dedicated to promoting scholarship, leadership, development, and dissemination of information important to women in general. On Thursday, November 17, 2005. National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) was unanimously voted in as a 3rd division of IGC. Under the first NPC executive board (which included sisters Jillian Levine- President, Emily Ostrov- Rush Counselor, and Christine Moran- Secretary) the three sororities established by-laws coinciding our common national standards. In the spring of 2006, Sigma Kappa, Delta Phi Epsilon, and Sigma Delta Tau participated in their first Panhellenic recruitment.

2006 Sigma Kappa Convention

Theta Pi, its members, and the Rochester Alumnae Group received several honors at this year's national convention:

The Ida Mabel Fuller Pierce Award: Presented to the Most Improved Alumnae Chapter in a College Community: The Rochester Area Alumnae Chapter received an Honorable Mention in this category.

The Louise Helen Coburn Award: Presented to the Collegiate and Alumnae Chapters who have worked together for Sigma Kappa in the most effective manner for the award period: Theta Pi and The Rochester Area Alumnae Chapter received and Honorable Mention in this category.

Standards of Excellence Awards: Presented to those Collegiate Chapters who have exceeded the Sigma Kappa minimum standards. These standards include high performance in areas such as: membership, financial management, philanthropy, scholarship, public relations, ritual, leadership, new member education, alumnae relations, and campus involvement. Theta Pi received a ONE STAR Standards of Excellence Award.

Founder's Scholarship: Recipients should be: active, initiated, continuing sisters in good standing, maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0, demonstrate leadership on campus (student government, chapter officer, panhellenic officer, etc.): Jillian Levine- Class of 2007-Theta Pi

The Sigma Kappa Foundation

The Sigma Kappa Foundation was established in 1962. It is funded entirely through contribution. Its sponsored programs include the Alumnae Heart Fund (which assists Sigma Kappa sisters in need), annual scholarships (which are awarded to assist with both undergraduate and graduate educational expenses), and our four adopted philanthropies.

Alzheimer's Disease Research Since 1988 the Sigma Kappa Foundation has awarded over a half million dollards in research and psychosocial grants to researchers and practicioners on this debilitating disease which affects one's memory. Each Fall, collegiate chapters take part in a gourmet lollipop sale to raise money for such grants. For only $1, you can buy a lollipop and help to save a lifetime of memories. We also take part in the local Alzheimer's Disease Memory Walk in order to raise money for this worthy cause.

Gerontology/Service to the Elderly Since the time of our founders, Sigma Kappa has always emphasized that our Sorority is a lifetime commitment and we have enjoyed the active involvement of our alumnae regardless of age. In 1954, this emphasis led Sigma Kappa to be the first sorority to adopt Gerontology as a national philanthropy, and throughout the country, our members now have numerous projects in motion to assist senior citizens. Theta Pi's current gerontology project involves sending teams of 3 sisters each week to Morgan Estates, a local assisted-living establishment, to paint nails, play cards, and other games with the residents. Thisis a rewarding experience for both the residents and the sisters.

Inherit the Earth Adopted in 1992, this program combines our interest in gerontology with a project to benefit the environment. We often take part in campus clean-ups to help the local environment.

Maine Sea Coast Mission In honor of Sigma Kappa's five founders from Maine, the 1918 convention chose the Maine Sea Coast Mission as the Sorority's first national philanthropy. In November, collegiate and alumnae chapters provide financial contributions and other gifts for the Mission to use in the Christmas program (which provides gifts to the needy families), the emergency relief program (which provides assistance with food, clothing, shelter, and medical needs) and for scholarships (which benefit young men and women from the islands who might not otherwise have the opportunity to pursue educational advancement beyond high school).