Sigma Kappa celebrating 50 years at CMU
This week marks the 50th anniversary of Central Michigan University’s Sigma Kappa chapter.
“Sigma Kappa came to campus in 1959,” said Jenny Lopez, Sigma Kappa President, and Charlevoix senior. “It’s a sorority based upon sisterhood, loyalty and philanthropy.”
In the fall of 1996, then-freshman Becky Cooke became a Sigma Kappa member. Thirteen years later, Cooke now serves as chairman of the advisory board and said she still feels welcome in the sorority.
“Coming back after so many years of being gone, I still felt like I belonged there, that that was a part of me,” Cooke said. “I was really happy to be a part of Sigma Kappa when I was in college and I wouldn’t be who I am without them.”
Cooke and Lopez both agree that while the Greek community has changed over the years, the Sigma Kappa members have not.
“Though society was way different from the way it is now, I think the women were still the same — strong leaders on campus and service oriented,” Lopez said.
This weekend, Cooke and other Sigma Kappa alumnae will return to CMU for a weekend full of events Sigma Kappa has been planning since last December.
“Friday, there will be a dinner and presentation for alumnae at Soaring Eagle Casino, Saturday we will be tailgating before the game, and Sunday we will have a farewell brunch at our house,” Lopez said.
This weekend’s celebrations give alumnae the chance to meet the new members and reunite with old ones. Cooke said she is most anxious to catch up with old friends.
“I’m most looking forward to seeing people I haven’t seen in a long time, a lot of us have families now so it’ll be exciting to hear what other people have been up to,” Cooke said.
Vice President of Membership and Commerce senior Amy Kelly said she hopes that when the sorority is celebrating its 60th anniversary as chapter, the members will still be active at CMU.
“I hope to see that the women stay active on campus, remain good leaders, and stay true to who we are as Sigma Kappas,” Kelly said. “I have full confidence that when I leave this university this December, the women in our chapter will continue to help the sorority grow and prosper in the right direction.”
