Austin College Greek organizations are local in nature, meaning they are unique to Austin College and have no national affiliations. Currently, there are 17 recognized organizations in the Austin College Community — 8 sororities and 9 fraternities:
Sororities:
- Alpha Delta Chi
- Iota Eta
- Kappa Gamma Chi
- Omega Zeta
- Theta Sigma Chi
- Sigma Phi Chi
- Xi Epsilon
- Zeta Chi Omega
Fraternities:
- Chi Delta Eta
- Chi Tau Chi
- Drake
- Gamma Gamma Gamma
- Lambda Chi
- Phi Kappa Omega
- Phi Sigma Alpha
- Rho Lambda Theta
- Zeta Chi Beta
Sororities
Alpha Delta Chi
Alpha Delta Chi was founded in 1933 as the first social sorority on campus. The women of Alpha Delta Chi commit to sisterhood, service, and acceptance of others. For the past 20 years, we have volunteered at the college’s prairie restoration site, Sneed. Along with this, our sisters have annually hosted philanthropy events such as cupcake eating contests, Ski Lodge, Texas-ville, and Skate for a Cure. Growing as one close-knit family over the years, our alumnae family goes above and beyond in supporting the active Alphas on campus. Through networking and funding the Alpha Delta Chi scholarship, the alumnae continue to positively impact the lives of Alpha sisters. Our colors are Navy and Silver, and our symbol is the white rose. Our motto is “Truth through Grace.”
Iota Eta
Iota Eta was founded in 2016. Members of the sorority promote the pillars of self-love, community, respect, academic integrity, and poise within the sorority and in every aspect of their lives. We believe in accepting and supporting each other’s differences and creating a strong sisterhood that values individuality and strong women. IH believes the best way to support strength and independence is through an appreciation of the arts. Our volunteer and philanthropy work focuses on promoting the arts and helping in the Texoma community. We have volunteered at the Dia de los Muertos festival with the AC art bus, have raised money for the homeless shelter, and turkeys for Grand Central Station’s Thanksgiving dinner. In the future IH plans to extend our service to the Sherman animal shelter, crisis center, and other organizations. Our motto is: “Here’s to strong women: May we know them, may we raise them, may we be them.”
Κappa Gamma Chi
Kappa Gamma Chi was founded in 1919 as a literary society and was the first women’s organization at Austin College. Kappa Gamma Chi became a social sorority in 1940. Both the literary society and social sorority have fostered strong, innovative, professional women who have a voice. Kappa Gamma Chi hosts annual events like Kappa Sweete Shoppe, 5K ‘Roo Run benefiting Grayson Grand Central Station Dining Car, and the Homecoming Mother-Daughter Cake and Tea. We are the only Greek organization that has an established alumnae network that fosters networking, and donations to the Kappa Gamma Chi scholarship for JanTerm study abroad experience. Our colors are purple and white, and our symbols are grapes and the iris. Our motto is: “Let the Good Times Roll”.
Omega Ζeta
The Omega Zeta sorority was founded in 2000 by strong and independent women who felt it should be possible to be a part of Greek Life while maintaining academics and community service as high priorities. We established five pillars that we feel all members of Omega Zeta should exemplify: service, academics, identity, leadership, and sisterhood. As a sorority, we feel that these aspects, when equally emphasized, not only mirror the spirit of the Austin College liberal arts experience but allow each member to grow into a more confident, more empowered woman. Every year, we hold a bake sale in remembrance of Ella Barker, and donate all the proceeds to upkeep her memorial which is located just outside of the Dean residence hall. We are also very proud supporters of the nonprofit organization, Court Appointed Special Advocates (C.A.S.A) of Grayson County, who send representatives to advocate for abused and neglected children. Our sorority has a dynamic and active role on campus, as many of our sisters hold or have held executive positions in various organizations on campus. We wear light blue and sunshine yellow with pride, and we hold our symbols (the butterfly and daisy) close to our hearts. We believe in always putting our best foot forward because we truly do have “So much to do, so much to be.”
Theta Sigma Chi
Theta Sigma Chi was founded in 1985 as a diverse group of individuals. As a sorority, we strive to uphold our pillars of sisterhood, leadership, scholarship, philanthropy and socializing by being a strong and positive presence on campus. Theta Sigma Chi prides itself on individuality, thus we encourage each and every one of our members to express themselves in their own unique way. Our annual all-campus event is Mr. AC, a male beauty pageant. All of the proceeds from this show are donated to a local breast cancer organization, Women Rock, in order to fund breast cancer research. Our colors are baby pink and royal blue, and our symbols are a five-pointed star and Alstroemeria flower. Our motto is “Unity through Individuality”.
Sigma Phi Chi
Sigma Phi Chi was founded in 2001 and are known for being dedicated to leadership, service, academics, and diversity. With forest green and silver as their colors, and the white lily as their flower, the members are active in various Austin College organizations including Alpha Phi Omega, Black Expressions, CHAMPS, AC Observer, STAT, Cheer & Stunt, Model UN, and Pre-Law Society. They hold a standard for many hours of service and serve the Sherman community together. This group of students are the reason for the annual Shine event. They are also extremely inclusive and LGBTQ+ friendly – so please come as you are.
Xi Εpsilon
The Xi Eps are known for their unique flamingo lifestyle and the unbreakable bond and respect for their sisters. They are a group of women brought together to have fun and assist the Sherman community since 1985. Beyond supporting each other academically and socially, the girls come together to celebrate each other’s achievements in their widely varied individual pursuits. This year, these classy ladies held several events including Floozapalooza, an on-campus event to bring awareness about victim-blaming, and volunteering at the Denison Unitarian Church which accepts members of all peaceful faiths and ideologies. The sisters believe that each day should be celebrated and members can be heard shouting, “so happy it’s Tuesday!” to friends around campus. Our colors are pink and black. Our symbol is a pink rose with a black ribbon. Our sorority mascot is the flamingo.
Zeta Chi Omega
Zeta Chi Omega was originally founded in 1980 and rechartered in 2016. Zeta Chi Omega encourages scholastic achievement and participation in various school and community activities to develop self-esteem, character, and leadership skills. The sisters are known for their membership in a wide span of clubs across campus in addition to their love of service and helping others. Zeta Chi Omega promotes diversity, acceptance, sisterhood, peace, and perfection within the sorority. The Zeta Chi Omega symbols are the rose and dove. Doves are the only birds who fly with each other as well as other birds, so we try to be accepting of everybody and be friendly to all. Doves also represent peace, and roses are a symbol of perfection. The colors of Zeta Chi Omega are Ivory and Wine.
Fraternities
Chi Delta Eta
Chi Delta Eta was founded in 1957. The men of Chi Delta Eta have strived to uphold their motto through high ideals of service, loyalty, scholarship, leadership, and fellowship. An on-campus event that we co-host is the Chili Cook-off, along with an all-campus FIFA tournament. Our colors are Black and Cold. Our motto is: “Character Through Brotherhood.”
Chi Tau Chi
Chi Tau Chi was founded in 1998. Chi Tau Chi serves as a fraternity formed to enable an ecumenical brotherhood of all men to love, serve, and bear one another in spirit and fellowship. We affirm that by being ourselves we may gain something greater than ourselves. We host several all-campus events, Shine in the Fall, and Iguana and Paradise Lost in the Spring. Our colors are medium blue and gray. Our motto is To seek justice, love, kindness, and walk humbly with God. And Micah 6:8.
DRAKE
Since our founding in 1946, our members have always highly valued the many things that make us different from our brothers. We have a fancy name for that — diversity. Because of this, new members to the Drake Fraternity are not expected to fit some predetermined image or pursue the same activities as Actives. New members are not under pressure to give up anything — whether their defining personal views or existing loyal friends — in order to become a member. But they must wholeheartedly dedicate themselves at all times to the high ideals to which we all strive as Drakes! Our colors are Kelly Green and Gold. Our mission statement is “The DRAKE Fraternity promotes social brotherhood, academic excellence, athletic achievement, and the pursuit of gentlemanly ideals.”
Gamma Gamma Gamma
Gamma Gamma Gamma was founded in 1963. “Tri-gams” pride ourselves on three principles of perseverance, scholarship, and unity. We have a long history of traditions and morals which we bestow on all of our new members. We devote time to community service and helping out the Sherman community through the adopt-a-highway program. Our all-campus events are The Fall Chili Cook-Off and the “Break in the Storm” benefit concert in the spring. Our colors are Burgundy and Silver with our symbol being the Gamma Gamma Gamma Crest. Our Motto is: “Perseverance Scholarship and Unity.”
Lambda Chi
Lambda Chi was founded in 1982 as a way to add diversity to the Austin College campus that was not present at that time. As a group, we strive to this day to uphold the diversity that our founders originally intended. We are a group that combines fellowship and friendship with respect for the individual. We allow each member to be who they are and who they want to be, as long as they do it for the better of the group. Our all-campus events are the Lambda Chi Dragshow for G.E.A.R and Weinerpalooza which raises money for the Steve Rae Memorial Scholarship fund. Our colors are Black and Red. Our colors are black and red. Our motto is: “Unity Without Uniformity.”
Phi Kappa Omega
Phi Kappa Omega was founded in 1989 and was built on the pillars of Individuality, Friendship, Loyalty, Values, Scholarship, Unity and Brotherhood. The fraternity has a rich history of diversity and encourages students of different backgrounds to come together for the betterment of the school as well as the local community. The gentlemen of Phi Kappa Omega believe that as students our primary job is getting our work done in the classroom, however, we believe an enjoyable social life can also be achieved as well. Our colors are red, white and blue.
Phi Sigma Alpha
Membership in Phi Sigma Alpha is not a complicated matter; it is simply a matter of honor. These days when a Greek organization sprouts and thrives on nearly every campus in the United States, it is no distinction merely to be a fraternity man. The honor lies in belonging to a good fraternity and being a good fraternity man. When one comes into the membership of Phi Sigma Alpha, the fraternity bestows upon him its name and insignia and thereby indicates to him and to the world that he has the loyalty, devotion, and honor to become a good and vital member of the brotherhood.
Rho Lambda Theta
Rho Lambda Theta is a social fraternity that was founded in 1981. We were founded on the principles of high academic achievement, campus involvement, leadership, societal contributions, and emulating our creed: “True Gentlemen.” We host an annual all-campus event that is called “Heaven and Hell.” Our colors are Royal Purple and Old Gold. Our symbol is the Fleur de lis. Our motto is: “The True Gentlemen”
Ζeta Chi Βeta
Zeta Chi Beta was founded in 2008. The Mission and Values of the Zeta Chi Beta Fraternity represent the physical manifestation of each member’s moral views and intellectual beliefs, both individually and collectively. The mission is: “To continually develop our lives through dedication to service, leadership, and accountability.” We are dedicated to the development and refinement of each individual member’s abilities and talents in order to better prepare them to succeed throughout their life, and to achieve a level of excellence through the support of brotherhood. We host two annual on-campus events Loves Fools and Skate for the Cure. Our colors are blue and orange with our symbol being the bison.