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Sigma Gamma Phi History
In the spring of 1989 there was a small group
of women at the State University of New York at Potsdam
and Clarkson University campuses that wanted to
rush a sorority and pledge together. They rushed and didn't care for what
the houses all had to offer. After rushing they wondered why they couldn't
create their own sorority. Ed Weaver of the fraternity Sigma Pi - SUNY
Potsdam (and friend of the women) was asked if he knew of any way they
could start a sorority, and if he could recommend a sorority. Ed's sister,
Penny Perez, was a sister of Arethusa at the SUNY Geneseo chapter, and he
knew that she loved being a sister there. He suggested they get in touch
with her. The group of women got in touch with Penny and all went well.
Geneseo was interested in helping another chapter start. During this time
period the women found that the Lambda Chapter of Arethusa was present in Potsdam back in the
1930's. With this foundation in place, the friendship and sisterhood with
Geneseo began. The women met with the Greek association at SUNY Potsdam and
stated their story. They were told that a constitution needed to be drawn
up and approved by the association. With a skeleton sample in hand, they
were off to work on the constitution. Hopefully, there would be a pledge
class in the Fall of 1989! The Greek association at SUNY had previously
regulated that at least 25 women would be needed to start the chapter. All
appropriate rules and regulations had to be followed -- all women needed to
rush each and every house on campus before having their own founding bid night.
Before the rush parties began the women had a misfortune, a couple of the
women's grade point averages had fallen below the school's designated
allowance to pledge during the past semester, and one woman did not return
to school. The needed number of 25 was not there--only 22 were available.
The women got together and thought about the predicament. They decided to
hold an informal interest party to see if they could find more women who
might be interested in starting a new house. On a rainy Wednesday night in
September 1989, a group of about seven women found their way to the Barstow
Apartments on Market Street in Potsdam, some alone, some in groups. There
they found 22 women on a mission to start a new sorority on the campus. Six
of them decided to be part of this historical event. Twenty eight potential
Arethusa pledges and founding sisters were ready to go!
Now Arethusa Sorority is a social and service
sorority. There is more than one chapter but our particular chapter is
located in Potsdam, NY. Our Greek letters are Sigma Gamma
Phi with the colors of navy blue, kelly green and white. The chapter was
established on October 14, 1989. Our mascot is the dolphin. The chapter is
made up of both Potsdam
and Clarkson girls, all with very diverse backgrounds and interests and we
presently reside on Pierrepont
Avenue.
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