Springfield, Ohio – Alpha Xi Delta Women’s Fraternity recently accepted an invitation to recolonize at Wittenberg University in the spring of 2016 after a 24-year absence.
Demonstrating a strong presence on campus until it went dormant in 1992, Alpha Xi Delta first installed its Zeta chapter at Wittenberg University in 1904 and was the first national Greek organization on campus.
The growth of the Wittenberg sorority and fraternity community has been steady and after much consideration, the university’s Panhellenic Council voted to open an extension to continue that growth. This is the first sorority extension that Wittenberg has participated in since 1962.
“The extension committee was impressed with all sororities that were considered and in the end recommended Alpha Xi Delta for their relevant leadership and educational programs that are aligned with institutional priorities, ample resources for the well-being of members, and strong sorority staff and local alumnae volunteers committed to the success of the sorority while enhancing the Panhellenic and Wittenberg communities,” said Carol Nickoson, director of fraternity and sorority life at Wittenberg University. The Panhellenic Council chapters unanimously approved the extension committee’s recommendation.
“Alpha Xi Delta’s Wittenberg alumnae are very active and engaged, often hosting reunions and gatherings on campus,” Nickoson added.
A national team of Alpha Xi Delta alumnae will visit campus in the coming weeks to meet with campus administrators and key student leaders. A full, fraternity-coordinated colonization effort will occur in the spring of 2016, followed by a five-year period of extra care as this new chapter’s success is fostered and assured. Alpha Xi Delta will be the sixth National Panhellenic Conference sorority at Wittenberg. Others include Alpha Delta Pi, Delta Gamma, Gamma Phi Beta, Kappa Delta and Sigma Kappa.
Alpha Xi Delta will participate in the Panhellenic Council’s Kickoff Day on Jan. 16 prior to spring formal recruitment and begin colonization recruitment following Bid Day. Current students who would like more information about joining Alpha Xi Delta should email Heather Chibuk at hchibuk@alphaxidelta.org. For more information about the sorority recruitment process, visit www.wittenberg.edu/greeklife.
“Alpha Xi Delta is thrilled to be returning home to Wittenberg, and we look forward to joining campus this spring,” said Elysia Gallivan, Alpha Xi Delta national executive director. “We are fully committed to contributing to the tradition of excellence maintained by Wittenberg University and know our Zeta chapter will be a source of pride for the Wittenberg University community and our fellow Zeta chapter alumnae.”
Among its initiates, Zeta chapter claims two Alpha Xi Delta national presidents in Anna Miller Knote (1920-1922) and Maxine Evans Blackburn (1982-1986), as well as three National Fraternity Headquarters (FHQ) executives. Blackburn graduated from Wittenberg in 1940. Knote, class of 1905, was FHQ’s first executive secretary; Betty Robinson Wert, class of 1939, national administrative director (1968-1982); and Diane Curtis Gregory, class of 1964, national executive director (1982-1995). In addition, Jennifer Bauer Henson, class of 1973, is a past Alpha Xi Delta national housing corporation president.
Founded in 1893 at Lombard College, now Knox College, in Galesburg, Ill., Alpha Xi Delta inspires women to realize their potential by providing opportunities for sisterhood, leadership, knowledge and service. The national women’s fraternity has more than 150,000 initiated members and chapters on 125 college campuses. For more information on Alpha Xi Delta Fraternity, visit www.alphaxidelta.org.
