At Bethany, our legacy includes a classical liberal arts education and an enriched campus life experience. It includes the storied traditions of Greek life and the friendships that are forged for life. In 1858, a national fraternity was founded here, putting us in the history books.
Today, Bethany is home to four fraternities and three sororities.
Thousands of Bethanians have walked alongside not only their classmates, but also their brothers and sisters, as they made their way through the Oglebay Gates at graduation. Their relationships, their memories, there for life. Because Greek life at Bethany is really pretty amazing. It inspires the natural-born leaders on our campus and evokes a sense of community that is at the heart of the Bethany experience. You’ll lend a hand to someone in need, fight for a cause, go on an adventure, or two, and get to know a group of your classmates so well you won’t ever want to leave. This is Greek life at Bethany, and this is your opportunity to take part in
Benefits of Membership
SCHOLARSHIP
A classical liberal arts education is at the center of the Bethany experience –Greek life included. Greek organizations promote Bethany’s academic ideals by developing built-in success programs for chapter members. From study hours to tutoring sessions, you will benefit from an emphasis on scholarship and a dedicated support system to guide you through your coursework and exam schedule.
We’ll support you and pick you up when you’re down. We’ll help you succeed and provide motivation. Why? Because there’s never a brother or sister left behind.
Game nights, study sessions, trips to Pittsburgh and everything in between. This is the Bethany experience and these are memories to last a lifetime.
SERVICE
Being involved in a Greek organization at Bethany not only gives you a sense of community among your classmates, but it also allows you to get out there and give back – to form ties with a community even greater than your own. Chapters hold events, clothing drives, awareness initiatives and more, all with a common goal.
PHILANTHROPY
Every national Greek organization has a dedicated philanthropic organization. Throughout the year, every chapter at every institution across the nation works hard to support that philanthropy – Bethany’s included. From spaghetti dinners to fashion shows, you will dedicate your time to raise money and awareness for a cause.
LEADERSHIP
Greek life is powered by students and can bring out leadership traits in anyone. You can take initiative, become an officer or even start an on-campus movement. Meet with school officials, other campus leaders and community members, all while improving your communication skills and preparing yourself to enter the real world.
These aren’t just friends, these are loyal companions. These are your brothers and sisters and relationships that are forged for life.
64% also participate in GREEK LIFE of Athletes
25 AVERAGE CHAPTER SIZE FOR FRATERNITIES
31 AVERAGE CHAPTER SIZE FOR SORORITIES
41% of Bethany students participate in Greek Life
3,108 GREEK HOURS
Year DELTA TAU DELTA was founded at Bethany
Sandy Block, Writer, Kiplinger’s • Faith Daniels, TV Anchor • Justice Kaye G. Hearn, South Carolina Supreme Court • G. William Newton, Executive Vice President, Chief Sales and Business Officer at Fruit of the Loom • Bob Orr, Correspondent, CBS News • Marie De Paris, Vice President, Marketing and Business Development SportsNet NY Dave Sims, Broadcaster, Seattle Mariners spent toward
3 NATIONAL Sororities
4 NATIONAL Fraternities
National Conferences
IFC
The North American Interfraternity Conference (IFC) is a national organization representing 74 male fraternities on more than 800 college campuses in the United States and Canada. The conference serves as the governing body for fraternity life and has a history dating back to the first Greek-letter fraternity in the United States, Phi Beta Kappa, founded at the College of William and Mary in 1776.
Bethany’s Interfraternity Conference meets weekly to promote the unity of male Greek-letter fraternities on campus and works to organize the recruitment process.
PANHELLENIC
The National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) provides support and guidance for 26 female sororities on 655 college campuses across the United States and Canada. The conference was established in Boston in 1902 as a way to unify chapters and encourage female friendships.
The National Panhellenic Conference at Bethany is responsible for creating and fostering interfraternal relations between the sororities on campus. Members organize various female Greek events throughout the school year and streamline the recruitment process.
Alpha Sigma Phi was founded by Louis Manigault and Stephen Ormsby Rhea at Yale University in 1845. The brotherhood is now present on 91 college campuses across the United States.
At Bethany, Alpha Sigma Phi was founded in 1929 and is now the fastest growing fraternity on campus. In 2010, current brothers, chapter alumni and fraternity staff members set a path toward this positive growth and since then, Alpha Sigma Phi has had the largest pledge class for four consecutive semesters. Of all of the fraternities on campus, the chapter also has the most varsity athletes. Brothers compete on the football, soccer, track and cross-country teams.
Motto: AT A GLANCE
“To Better the Man”
National Founding: Yale University New Haven, Connecticut December 6, 1845
Bethany Founding: Beta Gamma Chapter 1929
Philanthropy: RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network)
Learn More: alphasigmaphi.org
MEN’S RECRUITMENT
MEN’S RECRUITMENT
When: Primary Recruitment takes place every fall semester. Informal Recruitment can take place during the spring semester, but sometimes, not every chapter will participate in spring recruitment.
Eligibility: A cumulative 2.5 College GPA is required to be eligible for recruitment into a men’s organization. Some organizations may have higher GPA requirements for their chapter.
Events: During each day of recruitment, you can choose which recruitment events to attend for each chapter. Although you are not required to attend an event for each organization on each night, it is strongly recommended that you attend at least one for each chapter over the course of recruitment.
Bids: On the last night of recruitment, you will be invited back to certain organizations. By the end of the night, you will be presented with a bid to join a chapter. The next day, you will attend bid acceptance and confirm your desire to join one organization.
Founded in 1839 at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, the brotherhood of Beta Theta Pi is now present on 131 college campuses across the country. With a mission to develop men of principle for a principled life, Beta Theta Pi supports mutual assistance, intellectual growth, trust, responsible conduct and integrity.
Bethany’s Beta Theta Pi chapter was founded in 1860 and hosts numerous events and fundraisers throughout the year to support Augusta Levy Learning Center. The chapter is made up of men from various academic disciplines and was recently awarded the Woolery Cup for being the fraternity with the highest GPA on campus.
Motto:
“To
Develop Men of Principle for a Principled Life”
National Founding: Miami University Oxford, Ohio
August 8, 1839
Bethany Founding: Psi Chapter 1860
Philanthropy: Augusta Levy Learning Center
Learn More: betathetapi.org
The history of Delta Tau Delta begins at Bethany, where it was founded in 1858. As the first Greek organization on campus, Delta Tau Delta, is based on the principles of truth, faith, courage and power. Delta Tau Delta is now active on nearly 200 campuses nationwide, but remains a Bethany legacy.
Twenty-four Bethany men are members of the Delta Tau Delta brotherhood. As part of national philanthropy efforts, brothers host and participate in annual walks to support the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Since partnering with the Foundation in 1970, Delts across the nation have worked together to raise more than $1.7 billion to support diabetes research.
DELTA TAU DELTA
AT A GLANCE
National Founding: Bethany College
Bethany, West Virginia, 1858
Bethany Founding: Theta – Founding Chapter 1858
Philanthropy: Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation
Learn More: delts.org
“Committed to Lives of Excellence” Motto:
Phi Kappa Tau was founded in 1906 at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. The brotherhood now spans 81 college campuses across the United States. As a supporter of SeriousFun Children’s Network, chapters nationwide collectively raise $100,000 each year to support the cause.
Bethany’s chapter of Phi Kappa Tau was founded in 1923. Today, 26 brothers from various academic backgrounds and varsity athletic teams comprise the Phi Kappa Tau fraternity. In addition to an annual spaghetti dinner to raise funds for the SeriousFun Children’s Network, the brotherhood also sponsors Red Bison Week – a program dedicated to safe-sex education and sexual assault prevention.
When: Primary Recruitment takes place every fall semester. Informal Recruitment can take place during the spring semester, not every chapter will participate in spring recruitment.
Eligibility: There are no specific eligibility requirements for recruitment into a women’s organization, other than you have to be a Bethany student.
Introductions: On each day of recruitment, you will visit each of the three women’s organizations on campus to meet and to get to know members of each organization. You will be guided through the process by Rho Gammas, upperclassmen and Greek women who have temporarily disaffiliated from their houses to provide unbiased information and guidance during the process.
Bids: During the last two nights of recruitment, you will be invited back to the houses that are most interested in inviting you to be a member. At the end of the week, you will be extended an offer to join a chapter and will have the choice of accepting.
Alpha Xi Delta is one of the nation’s oldest sororities and was one of the 10 original members of the National Panhellenic Conference. Founded at Lombard College in 1893, Alpha Xi Delta, now has over 150,000 initiated members and maintains chapters at 123 intuitions across the United States. Since partnering with Autism Speaks in 2009, Alpha Xi Delta has collectively raised more than $2 million to support the cause.
Founded in 1903, Bethany’s Chapter of Alpha Xi Delta has championed outstanding academic achievement, most recently receiving the Anna Ruth Bourne award for the highest scholastic standing among Panhellenic groups. Many sisters hold executive leadership positions for various clubs on campus, and others compete on Bethany’s varsity athletic teams.
Motto: AT A GLANCE
National Founding: Lombard College Galesburg, Illinois
April 17, 1893
Bethany Founding: Delta Chapter 1903
Philanthropy: Autism Speaks
Learn More: alphaxidelta.org
“The Pen is Mightier Than the Sword”
Founded in 1852 at Wesleyan College in Macon, Georgia, Phi Mu is the second oldest sorority in the nation. Today, Phi Mu is a vibrant organization working to honor the principles of love, honor and truth with more than 175,000 women on 228 campuses across the nation. As a sponsor of Children’s Miracle Network, Phi Mu chapters have collectively raised more than $8 million to support hospitals in need.
Phi Mu was founded at Bethany in 1939. The chapter strives to support national philanthropy efforts by arranging various events and service initiatives across campus. Through a faculty and staff fashion show, charity volleyball games and trips to the Morgantown hospital, sisters dedicate their time to raise money for Children’s Miracle Network. Bethany’s Phi Mu chapter also recently created a mentor program to help with college and career guidance.
AT A GLANCE
National Founding: Wesleyan College Macon, Georgia January 4, 1852
Bethany Founding: Beta Nu Chapter 1939
Philanthropy: Children’s Miracle Network
Learn More: phimu.org
“The Faithful Sisters” Motto:
Since it’s founding in 1898 at the State Female Normal School (now Longwood University), more than 228,000 women have been initiated into the sisterhood of Zeta Tau Alpha. As part of their national philanthropy efforts, the 163 Zeta chapters across the country have distributed more than 14 million pink ribbons to spread awareness for breast cancer.
The Bethany chapter of Zeta Tau Alpha was founded in 1905, making it one of the oldest chapters in the nation. As Bethany’s largest Greek organization, Zeta Tau Alpha continues to be a driving force in the Greek community on campus and holds many awards including 2013 & 2014 Greek Week Champions and the Darline Nicholson Panhellenic Award. Sisters can also be found holding various leadership roles around campus and within the greater community.
Motto:
“Seek the Noblest”
AT A GLANCE
National Founding: Longwood University Farmville, VA October 15, 1898
Bethany Founding: Theta Chapter 1905
Philanthropy: Breast Cancer Awareness and Education
Learn More: zetataualpha.org
For Parents
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
Students participating in Greek life are required to pay dues to their national organization, but the cost at Bethany is much lower than other schools, ranging from $250-$500 depending on the chapter. This price includes services, events, trips, conferences and house upkeep.
IS THERE HAZING?
Hazing is illegal, and every Greek-letter organization has a strict national policy against the practice. If a situation were to arise, it would be handled with extreme importance by Bethany administration and the National Greek organizations represented on our campus.
IS IT ALL ABOUT PARTYING?
Greeks at Bethany have a rich history of service, academic excellence and friendship that replaces that “partying” aspect that is portrayed in movies and at some larger colleges.
HOW CAN I CONVINCE MY STUDENT TO GO GREEK?
Be open-minded and encourage your student to get out there and meet people, but pressuring your student to go Greek or to join your Greek-letter organization can have a negative impact on their experience. This is your student’s time to decide what they want from their college experience.
WHO CAN I CONTACT WITH ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS?
For more information, call 304.829.7631 or email greeklife@bethanywv.edu.
“Where can I learn more about the pros and cons of joining a fraternity/sorority?
