Jeannine Woolley didn't know LDS fraternities and sororities existed until three weeks before the beginning of her freshman year of college.
Now a senior, and president of the of Sigma chapter of Lambda Delta Sigma at the University of Utah, Sister Woolley can't imagine her university experience without the sorority.After all, during the past four years she made life-long friendships, participated in countless social activities, had the opportunity to give service and developed valuable leadership skills.
"I just wish more people knew about it," she said. "A lot of people think that the only thing on college campuses are Greek sororities. I would encourage every college student to check out the LDS chapters."
This year is the 30th anniversary of Sigma Gamma Chi, the Church's fraternity, and Lambda Delta Sigma, the Church's sorority, both associated with institutes near college campuses across the United States.
During this year, the national officers hope to educate Church members about Sigma Gamma Chi and Lambda Delta Sigma. They don't want even one college-age young adult to miss out on the opportunities provided by the more than 80 chapters of Sigma Gamma Chi and the 153 chapters of Lambda Delta Sigma.
"This organization helps protect young people," said Jeannene Barham, Lambda Delta Sigma national president. "It puts young people in an environment that helps them to continue to grow spiritually."
Dan Jones, national president of Sigma Gamma Chi, notes there are numerous similarities between the Church-sponsored sorority and fraternity system and the traditional Greek fraternities and sororities on college campuses.
Both groups draw their name from Greek letters and members feel and a brotherhood and sisterhood with others in their chapter. Both groups also give college students a solid social foundation and help them meet people with similar interests.
However, Brother Jones and Sister Barham are quick to add that the things that make the LDS system wonderful are its difference from the traditional system.
In the LDS fraternity and sorority chapters there are no rejections and no hazings. "The Greek system is designed to be an exclusive experience," explained Brother Jones. "In LDS rush there is an absolute open door policy. We invite everyone to be involved."
And even more important, the Church fraternity and sorority focus on values that strengthen young people emotionally and spiritually as well as socially.
To be active in Lambda Delta Sigma and Sigma Gamma Chi students must attend an institute class and live the standards of the Church. Members of other churches that are willing to abide by LDS standards are also invited to participate.
LDS fraternity and sorority members gather at their local institute buildings weekly and participate in exchanges with each other. Sigma Gamma Chi meetings are structured around six ideals - spirituality, brotherhood, service, leadership, scholarship and patriotism. Lambda Delta Sigma focuses on spirituality, sisterhood, scholarship, support and service.
This year, both the fraternity and sorority are celebrating their 30-year anniversary through one of their shared ideals: service. (Please see related story on this page.)
Elvin Serrano, a university of Utah student has only one regret about joining Sigma Gamma Chi - that he didn't join it sooner.
Chris Jenkins, a student at the Salt Lake Community College, also wishes he had known about Sigma Gamma Chi sooner so he could have been involved in all the "great things" the group has to offer.
"We are are always involved in good activities - serving the community or just being involved in people's lives."
He recalls getting together with his fraternity brothers to play sports, cook a meal, or help an elderly Church members clean their yard. He also noted it was a great way to make friends after returning from the Philadelphia Pennsylvania Mission.
Merlene Johnson, adviser for the Tau chapter of Lambda Delta Sigma in Logan, Utah, talked of the life-long friendships - and bonds of sisterhood and brotherhood - formed through the Church sorority and fraternity.
She spoke of a girl in the sorority who had traveled across the country to attend college in Utah. The young women was the only Church member in her family and received little support from them. "When she joined the Tau chapter, she found many sisters and some became her best friends," Sister Johnson recalled. "She was very active and contributed to our chapter in many positive ways."
But this young woman had no financial support from home and soon quit college to work full time. She did, however, continue to participate in the sorority and soon became engaged. She recently married in the Logan Temple. "Her chapter sisters supported her in many ways - the girls tied a quilt for her and helped with the decorating for her reception," Sister Johnson said. "Since she had no money to spend on decorations the girls rounded up plants; table cloths, loaned generously by Lambda Delt; and created a beautiful setting for the reception. All of the girls made a special effort to attend the reception so she would feel our support and love.
"They were her only family in attendance - truly sisters."
For more information about Sigma Gamma Chi and Lambda Delta Sigma, college-age young adults can contact their local institute director.