The Mulitcultural Greek Council gained a new member this fall, the Latin-American sorority Lamda Theta Alpha, Inc.
The newly chartered sorority joins two other Latino Greek organizations on Grounds, Omega Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. and Lamda Upsilon Lamda Fraternity, Inc., as well as two Asian sororities and one Asian fraternity, in the recently reorganized MGC.
LTA, originally founded at New Jersey's Kean University in 1975, was established at the University last April. After a probationary period, the group successfully petitioned the MGC for admission to the council. MGC membership gives the sorority an official charter and recognition by the University.
The co-founders - fourth-year College student Suhey Nevarez, third-year Nursing student Po Ning Soo-Hoo and third-year College student Daniela de la Piedra - brought LTA to Grounds in order to represent "the voice of the Universal woman," according to the chapter's Web site.
Formerly organized as the CIO Sisters of Diversity, the women of LTA emphasize their slogan, "Latin by tradition, not by definition."
"We don't feel that sisterhood has to be defined as one group of women," Nevarez said. "We can expand our multicultural backgrounds; we want to strengthen that at U.Va."
Soo-Hoo said that as a Chinese-American she feels very comfortable in the sorority.
"For me, being Chinese-American and joining a historically Latin sorority has been very enriching," Soo-Hoo said.
LTA already has recruited a diverse group of potential members for the fall, and the sorority plans to hold interest meetings for the spring semester toward the end of this month.
"We are trying to recruit women from multiple ethnic backgrounds," Nevarez said.
This semester, the members are planning to form a more visible presence on Grounds.
According to Nevarez, LTA's purpose is "to provide social and cultural activities and to carry on charitable and educational programs."
Since August, LTA has been involved in Habitat for Humanity and the Ronald McDonald House. The group will hold several workshops this semester, including an academic seminar, "Reducing Stress But Not Expectations," at 6 p.m. tonight in the Newcomb Hall Boardroom.
Last fall and spring, the interest group that precipitated LTA took part in a variety of community service activities, including AIDS Walk 2000 in Washington, D.C. and the Adopt-a-Grandparent program. The women also co-sponsored the Holiday Food Drive and a self-defense class. Additionally, the group participated in the Minority Career Day Student Organization Fair and the 2001 Race forum, and offered salsa and merengue classes as a fund-raiser.
In the coming years, the six member organizations of the Multicultural Greek Council may see further expansion. According to Aaron Laushway, assistant dean of students and director of the Office of fraternity and sorority life, two Asian-oriented CIOs are hoping to become chartered MGC members in the near future.
Read More
PBS NewsHour correspondent speaks on bringing humanity to international conflict
By Grace Little | 15 hours agoSchifrin's work exploring Putin’s Russia, his coverage of COVID-19 and his reporting in Afghanistan and Ukraine have earned him various accolades.
Spring meal swipe drive aims to tackle food insecurity at the University
By Nicolas Biernacki | 17 hours agoU.Va. Dine facilitated the drive by converting each meal swipe donated by a student into one pound of food that is then donated to the CFP.
Winsome Earle-Sears talks higher education in first U.Va. event of the campaign
By Ford McCracken | 2 days agoA Jamaican immigrant and a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, Earle-Sears is the first female lieutenant governor of Virginia,
