Mountain Treasures
25.01.10 / Expansion & Interest / Author: Tiger / Comments: (0)
Tags: diversity, Gamma Delta, Mountain State University, WV
On January 23, 2010, 10 young ladies at Mountain State University (9 of them forensic science majors, 1 social work major 
) became sisters of the Delta Gamma Pi Multicultural Sorority, Inc. Now if Mountain State University is not ringing a bell in your mind, do not feel bad. It has only been “Mountain State University” since 2001 (previously it was The College of West Virginia and Beckley College respectively). It is also located in Beckley, WV; more than 500 miles from our sorority headquarters in New York City.
When it comes to expansion, you sometimes never know how things will turn out. Many times either the sorority or the group of interested women will encounter some things that they did not expect. In this case, it is fair to say that most of these surprises were on our side. Since 2007, there has been a core group of ladies at MSU who were looking to establish a sorority. However this was easier said than done on a campus that had no established Greek Life in place. So this group contacted Delta Gamma Pi with a desire to affiliate with a national sorority. They were driven, organized and positive. But they were also nestled away in the hills of Appalachia and students at a small school. Would a multicultural sorority “work” there?
Three national board members (Rishona, Marilena & Rolanda) made the drive down to Beckley, WV. Within a few minutes of our arrival, all of the colony was there and prepared. We soon learned that there was so much more behind the Facebook profiles, the names on applications and paperwork, and even the phone calls and chats. Some were university cheerleaders, Homecoming queens, or RAs. Some had grown up in rural areas in WV, but several were from out of state (with one from NY and one from NJ). MSU has reached out to international students and while none of the ladies were international themselves, quite a few are either dating or very close friends with international students.
But most importantly, we got the sense that these 10 women were some of the best leaders on campus. They are well liked by the school administration and are full of new ideas. And they did not flinch or hesitate at the idea of being founders 3 times over; #1 – founders of a new chapter of Delta Gamma Pi, #2 – founders of the first sorority at Mountain State University, and #3 – founders of the first multicultural sorority in the state of West Virginia!
As we enter into the year 2010, it is hard to believe that the 
On January 9, 2010, there will be a meeting for all alumna sisters of Delta Gamma Pi. This meeting will address the needs and scope of alumna involvement in the sorority and how alumna can remain connected and involved in the sorority’s future. Also it will give alumna a chance to get together and discuss the recent developments and changes with the sorority. This is an opportunity that you do not want to miss! For more detailed information and to RSVP, please send an email to nationals@deltagammapi.org .