The Quadrangle

Issue date: 10/8/08 Section: Features

Photo courtesy of Bianca Lajara

Phi Theta Chi, a sorority founded in 1992 in Binghamton University, has engaged in one of the most extensive community services that MC could ever see. Founded by three Latina's who wished to become a part of an organization that emphasizes the bettering of the Latino culture while promoting community service, Phi Theta Chi has successfully worn its black and teal colors in three different campuses state wide. With the Gamma chapter recently recognized on the MC campus in the summer of 2007, Phi Theta Chi has already won the Best Greek Organization during the spring 2008 semester.

Phi Theta Chi has an extensive resume in community service. PTC participates in the remodeling and gardening of Riverside Park every year. They also have partnership with NY CARES which cleans parks, paints local public schools and conducts food drives. However, PTC's main priority is creating events that raises' awareness for Lupus and Rett Syndrome, their philanthropy. Every year, PTC hosts the National Lupus walk in October in honor of the National Lupus Awareness month. PTC will also host Awareness Week November 11 through the 16 in which they will pick a theme topic and create workshops and activities to spread the word and knowledge.

Phi Theta Chi's most memorable event however, was the Latino Forum which they hosted last semester. PTC collaborated with the MC Latino Alumni Club in order to create an event that would connect current Latino undergraduate students with Latino Alumni's that have had successful careers. Guest speakers included Senator Serrano of N.Y., Yonesey Nunez whom works for PAL Communications which has worked directly for the FBI and the Secret Services, Raquel Batista who is a lawyer and President of the Lower Manhattan Collision, and finally, Maria Khury who is an accountant and owns a travel agency of which MC usually books trips through. Rodney Rodriguez, who was then the Chair for the Department of Modern Foreign Language believed in the event and helped sponsor it. "The event was hosted in the Alumni room and we had over 100 guests," says Bianca Lajara, MC senior and President of the Gamma chapter, "We've definitely decided that the Latino Forum will be a part of our yearly events every spring semester along side Culture Week."

Despite being a sorority that was founded by Latinas, Lajara can not stress enough that it is not exclusively for Latinas, "…we have Hermanas that are Asian, African American, Caucasian, Indian even Hawaiian. You do not have to be Latina to join. You just have to be passionate about bringing out a better you." Phi Theta Chi will host an informational November 10 at 4:30 p.m. in De La Salle room 203, at which point MC senior and chapter Secretary Cristina Minaya interrupts, "just because you attend the informational does not mean that you have to join. You go to the informational to obtain more information, to meet the Hermanas, to ask questions, to learn more about the sorority. We basically give you the 'low down' on PTC."

With only 1 minute left before the Sisters of the Gamma chapter begin their weekly chapter meeting, MC Junior and Gamma chapter Vice President, Marlene Guzman stresses' "Phi Theta Chi is not just a membership to the organization. It means to gain sisterhood, ever lasting friendships, priceless relationships with your family. It emphasizes your academic education, your family, your friends… it's a hope for something new. It brings out the better you." In unison Lajara, Minaya and Guzman scream "LETTERS DON'T MAKE US- WE MAKE OUR LETTERS!"

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