Describe your program and how it enhanced student life at OSU.
On February 2, 2009, Theta Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated held its charter day program entitled “Narratives of Sisterhood: 88 years of Theta Chapter History”. The program began with a power point presentation presented by members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. The presentation briefly explained what was going in the year 1908, the year that Alpha Kappa Alpha was founded and also went on to explain the happenings in 1921, the year that Theta Chapter was chartered on Ohio State’s campus. The presentation highlighted how innovative the founders and charter members were at a time where oppression was very obvious.
Following the presentation, an open discussion was held between past Theta members and the audience. The discussion was lead by current members of Theta Chapter, but the audience was encouraged to ask questions. The five panelists were seated in order by the year of their initiation spanning from 1958 to 2001. These women were very open about their experiences in Alpha Kappa Alpha, specifically in Theta chapter. Some of the questions asked by the audience included “Why did you choose to become a part of your organization?”, “How has your organization shaped your life?” and “What constitutes an Alpha Kappa Alpha woman?” The panelists answered the questions freely and gave examples where appropriate. The audience expressed how appreciative they were that the women were so open about their experiences.
After the discussion concluded, current members of Theta Chapter presented the panelists and audience members who were previous members of Theta Chapter with gifts. The guests then mingled while they were served cake and punch. The program was a success, and the audience members could attest to that.
“Narratives of Sisterhood: 88 years of Theta Chapter History” was an outstanding program because of the openness of the event. Often times, chapter history is kept very quiet, with only the current and past members of the chapter knowing the history. However, Theta Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated realizes that the chapter’s history does not just affect the members that come through the chapter. The women of Theta Chapter have always been leaders and have participated in many first throughout campus and in the sorority. The history of Theta Chapter has affected the campus of Ohio State University, the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) and Greek life in general.
Why is this program the most outstanding at OSU? How does it actively involve students, embrace the university initiatives of diversity and/or collaborate with other organizations or university departments?
“Narratives of Sisterhood: 88 years of Theta Chapter History” is a program that has enhanced both social interaction and learning on our campus. The open discussion of the program helped to enhance social interaction for the audience and all members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. The panelists were presented questions from the audience and panelists had to formulate questions to these answers on the spot, thus enhancing their social interaction. Also, social interaction was enhanced once there was a chance for mingling amongst the guest and the panelist. Many of the guests spoke to the panelist, enhancing their social interaction with a stranger and having a natural conversation.
This program also enhanced learning on our campus. In addition to learning about the hardships which Alpha Kappa Alpha Founders and Theta Chapter charter members endured to create and continue such an illustrious organization, the audience was informed about how Theta chapter made an impact on Ohio State’s campus. Theta chapter was the second historically black sorority to be chartered on campus. Members of the chapter participated in a protest in 1968 to ask for many things including more black history courses. Also, Alpha Kappa Alpha has been the only organization from the National Pan-Hellenic Council to have a sorority house located on University Row from 1966-1969. All of these things and many more have shaped Ohio State’s campus, the NPHC and Greek life. The 48 students that attended the program learned just how much members of Theta Chapter have helped shape history and were encouraged to leave a positive mark on Ohio State’s campus.
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