Welcome
For more than 150 years, Greek organizations have been a staple at Transylvania University. The Fraternity and Sorority community strives to improve the lives of its members and the community through academic excellence, leadership development, and a focus on service and philanthropy. Fraternity and Sorority members are committed to living their values.
For many current students, Fraternity and Sorority Life plays an important role in their development and experience at Transylvania University. There are five inter/national fraternities and five inter/national sororities represented on campus. All of the fraternities belong to a governing council called the Interfraternity Council. Four sororities similarly belong to a governing council called the College Panhellenic Association and our two newest chartered groups make up our National Pan-Hellenic Council.
Today, over 42 percent of the student body is a member of a fraternity or sorority. Though there are different national chapters on campus, all chapters share common founding principles and enhance the educational experience by emphasizing intellectual and social development. Being a part of the Fraternity & Sorority community means learning in and out of the classroom, seeking opportunities for engagement such as leadership positions and service events. Membership in a chapter is a lifelong commitment, not just while in college. Relationship building and network opportunities will extend beyond Transy.
Pillars of Fraternity & Sorority Life
Friendship
One of the greatest aspects of Fraternity & Sorority Life are the friendships that are made through membership. These friendships stand the test of time as alumni/ae can confirm. Involvement in a sorority or fraternity gives members an opportunity to widen their circle of friends beyond their majors, interests, and teams. As you learn more about your brothers and sisters, you will see growth and development in yourself.
Leadership
Leadership development is ingrained in Fraternity & Sorority Life. Early on, members are presented with leadership roles and opportunities. They are given skills and training to fine tune their leadership styles. Campus leaders often are members of the Fraternity & Sorority community. Regularly, Fraternity & Sorority members overlap with other roles such as resident advisors, athletic team captains, Student Government Association, Student Activities Board, Admissions Ambassadors, and Orientation Leaders.
Academics
Transylvania students and Fraternity & Sorority organizations are committed to community and civic engagement. This commitment is visible on campus through the various fundraisers, volunteer opportunities, and support shown for several non-profit organizations. Students can be seen collaborating on a blood drive, putting together peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, selling baked goods, or practicing for annual philanthropic events.
Service
Transylvania students and Fraternity & Sorority organizations are committed to community and civic engagement. This commitment is visible on campus through the various fundraisers, volunteer opportunities, and support shown for several non-profit organizations. Students can be seen collaborating on a blood drive, putting together peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, selling baked goods, or practicing for annual philanthropic events.
Interfraternity Council
The Transylvania University Interfraternity Council (IFC) is the governing body for four of our recognized fraternities on campus. The council consists of a delegate from each chapter, six officers from various chapters, and the Fraternity & Sorority Advisor. The council works to implement educational, social, and service activities throughout the year. Formal recruitment for IFC organizations occurs during the start of the Fall Term.
Delta Sigma Phi
Motto: Better Men. Better Lives.
Fraternity Founded: 1899, City College of New York
Chapter Chartered: 1941
Kappa Alpha Order
Motto: A moral compass for the modern gentleman.
Fraternity Founded: 1865, Washington College
Chapter Chartered: 1891
Phi Kappa Tau
Motto: Learning. Leading. Serving.
Fraternity Founded: 1906, Miami University
Chapter Chartered: 1919
Pi Kappa Alpha
Motto: To set the standard of integrity, intellect, and achievement for our members, host institutions, and the communities in which we live.
Fraternity Founded: 1868, University of Virginia
Chapter Chartered: 1888
Panhellenic Association
The College Panhellenic Association is the council that represents the four National Panhellenic Conference sororities on campus. The council is made up of one delegate from each chapter, eight executive officers from various chapters, and the Fraternity & Sorority Advisor. Panhellenic Association is responsible for organizing programs for the betterment of all sororities on campus. Recruitment for Panhellenic occurs during the start of the Fall Term.
Alpha Omicron Pi
Motto: Inspire Ambition.
Sorority Founded: 1897, Barnard College
Chapter Chartered on Campus: 1987
Chi Omega
Motto: To work earnestly, to speak kindly, to act sincerely.
Sorority Founded: 1895. University of Arkansas
Chapter Chartered on Campus: 1903
Phi Mu
Motto: The Faithful Sisters.
Sorority Founded: 1852, Wesleyan College
Chapter Chartered on Campus: 1939
Delta Delta Delta
Motto: Let us steadfastly love one another.
Sorority Founded: 1888, Boston University
Chapter Chartered on Campus: 1908
National Pan-Hellenic Council
In Fall 2022, Transylvania University welcomed its first historically black greek letter organization, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Incorporated. By Spring 2023 they added Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Incorporated. These new additions to the Fraternity & Sorority community expand FSL’s student outreach and create opportunities for more students to see themselves within the fraternity sorority experience.
Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc.
Motto: Achievement in Every Field of Human Endeavor
Fraternity Founded: 1911, Indiana University
Chapter Chartered on Campus: 2022
Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc.
Motto: Greater Service, Greater Progress
Sorority Founded: 1922. Butler University
Chapter Chartered on Campus: 2023
By the numbers
Pi Kappa Alpha is the first fraternity chartered at Transy in 1888 while under the name Kentucky University. It is also the 10th chapter of PIKE.
Transy’s first sorority is Chi Omega’s Chi Chapter. It is also the 2nd chapter of Chi Omega.
Over 42% of Transy students are affiliated with a Greek-lettered organization.
10 nationally recognized chapters
Spring 2026 Membership
Sorority: 207
Fraternity: 175
Spring 2026 All Greek GPA: 3.522
All University: 3.418
All Non-Greek: 3.363
All Fraternity: 3.440
All Men: 3.356
All Sorority: 3.543
All Women: 3.465
Fall 2025 All Greek GPA: 3.497
All University: 3.408
All Non-Greek: 3.326
All Fraternity: 3.420
All Men: 3.329
All Sorority: 3.555
All Women: 3.474
Frequently Asked Questions
Fraternity & Sorority organizations have a foundation of leadership, service, academics, and brother/sisterhood. Today’s members feel that Fraternity and Sorority Life provides ample opportunities to engage on and off campus, create lasting friendships, and land top notch leadership positions.
To register for Panhellenic sorority recruitment, use this link: FALL 2026 SORORITY RECRUITMENT REGISTRATION
Sorority recruitment will take place September 9–13. Registration opens July 1 and will close at 11:59 PM on September 8.
To register for fraternity recruitment, use this link: FALL 2026 FRATERNITY RECRUITMENT REGISTRATION
Fraternity recruitment will take place from September 9–20. Registration opens July 1 and will close at 11:59 PM on September 18.
Registration costs $35 and it covers a T-Shirt, Bid Day Breakfast, and technology usage. If this fee would prevent you from signing up for recruitment, the College Panhellenic Association and Interfraternity Council have a process to waive the fee. Please email Maggie Fegenbush (mfegenbush@transy.edu) to request a fee waiver.
Membership Intake for our historically black fraternity and sorority takes place after IFC and Panhellenic recruitment. First year students are unable to join in their first semester as our NPHC organizations require a semester GPA from Transy and time to acclimate to campus. For additional information, please reach out to Stephen Mason at stephenmason1@gmail.com for questions about Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc., or LaDonna Walker at upsilonlambdaadvisor2023@gmail.com for questions about Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc.
People wishing to participate in recruitment must register for recruitment and release their GPA to the chapters. Potential New Members wishing to participate in IFC recruitment must have at least a 2.75 high school GPA or a 2.5 college GPA. Sororities have internal GPA thresholds for membership that vary from chapter to chapter.
If you participate in Panhellenic Recruitment, you will have a recruitment counselor called a Rho Gamma. A Rho Gamma is a member of a Panhellenic organization who is disaffiliated from their chapter during recruitment. Rho Gammas are impartial, unbiased recruitment resources. They are trained on how to best support you as you progress through recruitment. You will be connected to your Rho Gamma as you officially register for recruitment.
For all fraternities and sororities, membership dues support the chapter’s operational expenses, social functions, and national fees. New members can expect to pay higher dues during their first year due to new member and initiation fees, insurance fees, and badge costs. Some chapters offer payment plans, and some even offer scholarship opportunities to help make membership affordable. A detailed membership breakdown for Panhellenic sororities is given to each potential new member during recruitment.
President Messages
Welcome from the Panhellenic Council President
Hello & welcome to Transylvania University! I am so excited to welcome you to our campus and the Panhellenic community! Starting your time in college is such a special time and I hope that you take advantage of every opportunity to connect with others and grow into yourself over the next four years! Transy is such a special place filled with incredible people & endless opportunities to be involved on campus. One of the most fulfilling pieces of my experience on campus has been my involvement in Fraternity & Sorority Life (FSL)!
Coming into college, I honestly wasn’t sure if sorority life was something I would pursue. Like many people, I had certain ideas about Greek Life based on stereotypes and what I had seen in movies or on social media. However, once I got to campus and met members of our Panhellenic community, I quickly realized that Transy’s sorority experience is centered around genuine connection, leadership, service, and belonging. The Panhellenic community has opened so many doors for me and introduced me to some wonderful people who have had indescribable impacts on my experience at Transy! FSL presents the perfect opportunity for you to find your home away from home!
Our Panhellenic community is made up of four incredible sororities: Alpha Omicron Pi, Chi Omega, Delta Delta Delta, and Phi Mu. While each chapter has its own unique values, traditions, and philanthropy, they all share a commitment to scholarship, sisterhood, leadership, and service. Recruitment is designed to help you learn more about each chapter while also discovering where you feel most comfortable and supported. Throughout the process, you’ll have the opportunity to meet members from every chapter, ask questions, and experience the welcoming environment that makes our community so special. I know recruitment can feel intimidating or overwhelming at first, but I encourage you to approach it with an open mind and simply be yourself. Panhellenic recruitment at Transy is values-based, meaning we focus on authentic conversations and finding connections rooted in shared values and experiences. No matter your background, interests, or previous perceptions of sorority life, there is a place for you here.
As you begin your journey at Transy, I hope you challenge yourself to step outside your comfort zone, try new things, and embrace every opportunity that comes your way. Whether or not you choose to join a sorority, I know this community will help shape your college experience in unforgettable ways. I cannot wait to meet you and welcome you to campus this fall!
Gracie Carrigan
glcarrigan28@transy.edu
President, Panhellenic Council
Class of 2028
Welcome from the Interfraternity Council President
Welcome to Transylvania University! You are about to embark on one of the most exciting times of your life, and I hope your journey is just as meaningful as the past three years have been for me. I invite you to spend your first few weeks as a Pioneer exploring, growing, and challenging yourself to see just how much you can accomplish in this new chapter of your life.
At Transy, there is so much to do, learn, and explore, but being in a fraternity stands above the rest, being one of the most impactful and beneficial experiences I have had. I was initially hesitant, even opposed to going through recruitment. The idea of joining a fraternity felt intimidating and not made for me, given the stereotypes and negative attention that flood the media. However, something felt different about FSL and Fraternities at Transy, which could not be truer. I have seen firsthand that FSL is dedicated to service of the community, intentionality of building better men and people, and creating a network that is available when you first join.
So, what does fraternity recruitment look like? This fall, fraternity recruitment will take place just a couple of weeks after the semester begins. The Interfraternity Council (IFC), in collaboration with all four chapters, has worked hard to make sure recruitment is welcoming, well-organized, and fun. Recruitment will run from September 8 to September 20, giving you the chance to meet all four of our chapters: Delta Sigma Phi (SIG), Kappa Alpha Order (KA), Phi Kappa Tau (Phi Tau), and Pi Kappa Alpha (PIKE).
Events will range from an Orientation Night, where you can ask questions and meet executive leaders, to casual evenings hanging out in Back Circle, playing yard games, and having conversations with current members. Full details about each event can be found in the recruitment form. During these two short weeks, you’ll meet some truly inspiring people who will become some of your lifelong friends.
I know starting college and considering FSL can feel overwhelming. However, I can confidently say that going through recruitment and joining a chapter has been one of the best decisions I’ve made at Transy. As I look back on the past 3 years, going into my last year, I am so grateful that I pushed myself out of my comfort zone and into something that has truly changed my life for the better. I’ve found a community that is supportive, empowering, and full of opportunity. From taking free trips across the country to spending countless hours with my best friends, the fraternity experience has shaped my college years in ways I couldn’t have imagined.
I can’t wait to welcome you to campus this fall, see you getting involved, and hope you consider exploring Fraternity and Sorority Life at Transy!
Quincy Elliott
qgelliott27@transy.edu
President, Interfraternity Council
Class of 2027
Sorority Recruitment
Sorority recruitment consists of three official rounds, each designed to help potential new members get to know chapters on a deeper level throughout the process. As recruitment continues, each round offers a new opportunity to learn more about chapter values, sisterhood, and involvement so you can discover the community that feels like the best fit for you.
September 8: Orientation
During orientation, you will receive a detailed schedule of recruitment, meet your Rho Gamma, and learn more about the recruitment process.
September 9-10: Round One – Sisterhood
Sisterhood Round takes place over two days and introduces PNMs to each chapter’s community and member experience. PNMs will meet two chapters each day while learning more about each organization’s values, traditions, and sisterhood.
September 11: Round Two – Philanthropy
Philanthropy Round gives PNMs the opportunity to learn more about each chapter’s philanthropic efforts and the causes they support. During this round, PNMs may be invited back to no more than three chapters.
September 12: Round Three – Preference
Preference Round gives PNMs the opportunity to reflect on their recruitment experience and learn more about each chapter’s values and membership experience. During this round, PNMs may be invited back to no more than two chapters.
September 13: Bid Day!
Bid Day is the day that invitations to join a chapter are distributed. After receiving bids, you will join your chapter for sisterhood activities.
Fraternity Recruitment
Fraternity recruitment consists of several events designed to help potential new members get to know each chapter and its members. Throughout the process, PNMs will learn more about chapter values, brotherhood, and involvement while exploring their best fit.
September 8: Orientation & Chapter Room Showcase
Meet the IFC Executives and get a full overview of the recruitment process while hearing from each chapter’s president and learning about their organization’s values, events, philanthropy, and new member education program. During the Chapter Room Showcase, PNMs will have the opportunity to visit each fraternity’s chapter room and see what makes each chapter unique.
September 9: Tent Night
You will have the opportunity to interact with each chapter in Back Circle. Fraternity chapters will host different activities in order to get to know the PNMs.
September 10-13: On/Off Campus Events
You will be free to attend events with fraternities in which you are interested. You will be able to talk with members of each organization and learn more about each fraternity. These events also give the fraternity a chance to learn more about the potential new members.
September 14: Community Service Event
PNMs will support a local cause to ensure the value of philanthropy is known and core to FSL.
September 15-18: Formal Smoker Events (Invite Only)
You will have the opportunity to attend fraternity smokers. Each smoker is planned to give you the most information possible about the fraternities. This will also be a chance to meet chapter leaders and alumni.
September 20: Bid Day!
Bid Day is the day that invitations to join a chapter are distributed. After receiving bids, you will join your chapter for brotherhood activities.
Anti-Hazing Statement
Hazing is strictly prohibited by Transylvania university and all fraternities & sororities.
Hazing is strictly prohibited by Transylvania University and all fraternities and sororities. Hazing is defined as an act that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student, or that destroys or removes public or private property, for the purpose of initiation, admission into, affiliation with, or as a condition for continued membership in an organization/group.
Participation or cooperation by the person(s) being hazed does not excuse the violation. Failing to intervene to prevent and/or failing to discourage and/or failing to report those acts may also violate this policy.
Such activities and situations may include but are not limited to paddling in any form, excessive fatigue, physical or psychological shocks, kidnaps, degrading, humiliating or fear-provoking games or activities, forced alcohol consumption, late work sessions which interfere with scholarship, menial tasks, and any other activity that is not consistent with the ideals and purposes of the student organization, or the regulations and policies of Transylvania University. Sanctioning will be decided in conjunction with the appropriate inter/national office and may include loss of campus recognition.
Transylvania University
Campus & Community Engagement
300 N. Broadway
Lexington, KY 40508
www.transy.edu/campus/organizations