“If you want people who love you, that’s us,” said Ms. Sharon McDaniels to the students who attended the Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. (ΣΓΡ) interest meeting at Lakeside. Students who attended the meeting learned about the history of the Greek sorority, and how they can become a part of the organization.
Brittney Burks, an ABAC student, was happy to have Sigma Gamma Rho on campus, “I feel like this is something the students need, to have all students represented. I think it is long overdue.” McDaniels led the discussion and enthusiastically answered all questions. McDaniels has experience managing sororities in Valdosta and will be the advisor for the Sigma Gamma Rho chapter at ABAC.
During the discussion, students were asked for their interest in the sorority. One student introduced herself and cried as she thanked Sigma Gamma Rho for coming to ABAC, expressing that as a senior, she had waited a long time for such a diverse sorority to start a chapter at ABAC.
McDaniels jokingly told students that Sigma Gamma Rho was a sorority where they could find people who, “actually like each other.” The sorority prides itself in being drama free and providing a sisterhood and a family for students of all race and ethnicity. Maria Vasquez, a member of Sigma Gamma Rho for 10 years, told students that it was the place where she fits in best.
McDaniels expressed that Sigma Gamma Rho is a sorority tasked with making students succeed, “We take leadership development very seriously. We push you into leadership roles. We want you to succeed.”
A few famous known members of Sigma Gamma Rho Inc. are Hattie McDaniel from “Gone With the Wind,” Miss USA 2016 Deshauna Barber and singer Kelly Price.
To join Sigma Gamma Rho, students must have a 2.5 GPA, they must be enrolled in at least 12 semester hours during application and must have at least 12 semester hours before application. Students must have an official and unofficial transcript and two letters of recommendation. One of the letters of recommendations must be from a member of Sigma Gamma Rho. After an interview phase, if students are accepted, they must pay $1,500 to become a full member. This fee covers two years, and students are members for life.
McDaniels offered thanks to ABAC for accepting the sorority into the ABAC culture and expressed her excitement to start the chapter at ABAC.
