UWF’s first Latina-based initiated sorority holds official induction ceremony

UWF’s first Latina-based initiated sorority holds official induction ceremony

Pensacola, Fla. – April 7, 2017 – The University of West Florida recently welcomed a new Latina-based sorority colony, Kappa Delta Chi Sorority, Inc., during an official induction ceremony at the University Commons.

Nine Kappa Delta Chi sisters traveled to the UWF campus on March 25 to initiate seven founding members: Miranda Anaya; Deni Avelar; Skylar Braswell; Josie Chonoles; Leonie Dupuis; Jenifer Prine; and Brittney Sosa.

Veronica Lucena, Kappa Delta Chi Sorority Inc. vice president of expansion, said the UWF colony will report directly to the Kappa Delta Chi National Colony Development Officer, and under her supervision, “they will be guided in fulfilling all colony to chapter requirements and setting a strong foundation in becoming a future chapter of KDChi.”

The UWF colony is seeking to become the 19th active Fraternity and Sorority Life chapter on campus and is the third multicultural fraternal organization, putting the total number of active members on campus at almost 800. Aubrey Frazier, assistant director for leadership, service and fraternity/sorority life, said a third multicultural fraternal organization will allow UWF to form a Multicultural Greek Council.

“While the three multicultural fraternal organizations are smaller in nature, we are hopeful they will allow students an opportunity for a more cultural fraternal experience,” she said.

Frazier credited the students for actively participating in events while forming a colony.

“I am really excited for them to join our community,” Frazier said. “Their women have been go-getters. For having seven women, their presence has been pretty incredible.”

Lucena credited Avelar for initiating contact with Kappa Delta Chi. She said Avelar first spoke to Claudia Salinas, Kappa Delta Chi external recruitment officer, in April of 2016 about her interest in bringing the sorority to UWF. Avelar and Anaya then recruited their fellow founding members.

“Deni and the other women recruited other students who they felt were a good fit for KDChi and exemplified our values,” Lucena said.

Avelar researched other Latina sororities before deciding on Kappa Delta Chi. She said she appreciated that the sorority values unity, honesty, integrity and leadership. Avelar shed tears of joy at the official ceremony.

“It was a long process,” she said. “We started recruiting a year ago exactly. We had the persistence to overcome all of the obstacles. It taught us a lot about ourselves and about sisterhood. We are super excited to start something new at UWF and leave our legacy.”

Nationally, Kappa Delta Chi celebrated its 30th year as a sorority Thursday. Four Latina students founded the sorority on April 6, 1987 at Texas Tech University.