New Member Spolight

Year: Freshman

Major: Biology

“Alpha Xi Delta to me means being my home away from home. Having my family being back home in Texas & soon to be moving to South Korea in December, the love and support I have from my sisters is something I am ever so thankful and grateful for. It means lasting friendships that will help me grow as a woman and be gracious through my endeavors. Alpha Xi Delta is home and knowing that I can grow in courage, graciousness, and peace.”

Year: Freshman

Major: Nursing

“Joining Alpha Xi has changed my life in such a positive way. The best part about being an Alpha Xi is the strong support system that I have from my sisters.They are there for me when I need them the most and that is why I love Alpha Xi Delta!"

Year: Freshman

Major: Health Care Management - Occupational Therapy

“My favorite part of the new member period is all of the new friends that I have made!  I have had a blast making memories with all of my new XIsters!”

Year: Freshman

Major: Nursing

“I am proud to be in Alpha Xi Delta because everyone loves to support our philanthropy. Our philanthropy is really close to me because I have a brother who has autism. Seeing all of the many women in this sorority that support something that is really close to my heart makes me feel loved. I am so honored to be in a sorority that inspires me everyday and will continue to inspire me in the future.”

Year: Freshman

Major: Health Care Management: Pre-OT

“My favorite part of the new member period was meeting a ton of girls that are just like me! Making a ton of new friends and always having someone to eat with or just talk too!!"

Year: Freshman

Major: Biology and Pre-Optometry

“I love being an Alpha Xi because I belong to a wonderful sisterhood and we're always there to love and support each other.”

PAN L♥VE

Last Tuesday night, a few of our sisters became a Big Sister for Kappa Delta's new members! Our ladies have taken on the role of a mentor and are so excited the help these amazing women grow! Here are some of the Big/Little pairs and a statement from each of them: 

“It’s been so great already watching KD grow as a chapter and I can’t wait to help that process in any way possible!” – Courtney Ryals

“I first met Emily during recruitment because she was in my Pi Chi group. She is beautiful inside and out and is the perfect Kappa Delta woman. I am so honored to be able to call her my little.” – Rena Lim

“I am so excited to have Hallie as my Panhellenic little. She is one of my best friends and now a part of my family! Seeing her excitement for Kappa Delta and the love she has for her chapter reminds me of when I was a new member of Alpha Xi. It is such an exciting time and there’s nothing else like it. Hallie’s love for Kappa Delta spurs me on to love Alpha Xi even more. I hope that I can be a great role model and even better friend to my little. I’m so excited to help her navigate her way through Greek life!” – Sarah Fowler

“I couldn't be happier to have Katie as a little! I'm also so overjoyed that KD allowed AXID into their new chapter to be a big to their new members.” – Katilyn Lankford Panhellenic support in the Greek Community is so important to us. We are extremely happy and excited to embark on this journey to help the ladies of Kappa Delta grow!

It's almost time for TΑCO TUΞSDΔY

What is Autism Speaks? Autism Speaks is dedicated to promoting solutions, across the spectrum and throughout the lifespan, for the needs of individuals with autism and their families through advocacy and support; increasing understanding and acceptance of people with autism spectrum disorder; and advancing research into causes and better interventions for autism spectrum disorder and related conditions.

"Chacos and Tacos is an important event for our chapter because it not only helps us raise money for Autism Speaks, but unites the UAB community to learn more about Autism Awareness. It's also a fun way to eat great food made by out sisters, hangout with friends, and introduce more students to our philanthropy." - Gabby Christian, former Philanthropy VP

"Our philanthropy in many ways is an extension of our sisterhood. It's an helping hand to those who need it most. Events like these are really what makes Alpha Xi delta and Autism Speaks wonderful organizations to be a part of. Seeing all of my friends and family supports a philanthropy that literally means the most to me is heart warming. It shows how dedicated our sisters are sharing the love." - Taylor Stewart, current Philanthropy VP

Can’t make it, but really want some tacos? Contact a sister to buy a ticket and we will deliver!

We will also be selling T-Shirts for $18.20. 2X and 3X are $20.20 The color is cumin and will look just like the one below.

It's the {little} things that make life {big}

As big/little week is approaching this month, I have talked to some littles from PC '16 and asked them some questions about their bigs and what their favorite memory is! Not only do you meet a lifelong friend, but the best mentor! You celebrate birthdays, go to formals together, and share so many memories together! Big/little week is one of the best weeks of the year!

MEET MARI AND AARTI:

What is your favorite thing about your big? She is incredibly patient with me. I love that I can go to her with anything and get good advice every single time.

What is one word that describes her? Compassionate. Mari is mom! She listens to people very well and always offers a helpful solution. She cares about the people she loves and will do whatever she can to help them.

What is your favorite memory with your big? Mari, Avery (her big and my g-big) and I went to a haunted maze the night after my initiation. It was so much fun and I couldn't stop laughing at how afraid Mari was!! She hid behind Avery and I the entire time, but it was sweets she went just because she knew how much I wanted to.

What is one thing you wanted out of a big? I wanted someone that would mentor me and offer me solid advice when I needed it. Mari has done all of this and so much. She's the first person I want to talk to when I'm struggling with a deeper issue and never fails to make me feel better. I found everything I was looking for!

         MEET ALYSSA AND MOLLY:

What is your favorite thing about your big? Alyssa is the most encouraging person I have ever met. Whenever I feel like life is not working out or classes get intense she is always there to tell me that I can do it. She encourages me daily to realize my potential in every aspect of life and I am so lucky to have her. 

What is one word that describes her? The best word to describe Alyssa is Inspiring. She is going to school to be a teacher and while student teaching and taking classes she still finds the time to teach little kids dance at Ms. Kelly's School of Dance. She has a huge heart and is so focused on helping children find their passions.

What is your favorite memory with your big? I think my favorite memory with my Big was on Alpha Xi's beach trip. We went down a day early and stayed at her condo for the night at orange beach. Instead of going to the beach and playing in the ocean or building a sand castle, we sat on the beach and slept. I know that sounds weird, but if you know Alyssa and I you know how much we love sleep. She legit is the best big I could ever ask for and I am so glad Alpha Xi brought me my beach buddy.

What is one thing you wanted out of a big? Joining a sorority the big/little relationship was something that was really important to me. I wanted someone who was going to look out for me and make sure I was keeping up with my grades and my health and all of that adult stuff that I am very bad at. Alyssa has been that and more. I never feel like I am alone because of her. I know I always have someone to take my crazy questions to and tell me that I need to study for my test so I don't fail. She pushes me to do more in my life that I have every dreamed possible. She talked me through changing my major when I just thought I wasn't smart enough for college. Everyday she helps me realize that I have so much to give the world and she helps me go down the right path to get there.

Alpha Xi Delta is....

This time last year I had just started my freshman year at a new place where I didn't know anyone, just the few people from my high-school.  Now I'm sitting here a year later and I have the absolute best friends. Coming from a place that is two hours away, I needed friends and family and I got both. Thanks to Alpha Xi Delta I have found my home here and I would not change a thing. Going through recruitment, I have amaXIng friends and have learned to realize my potential. I have asked a few sisters what Alpha Xi Delta means to them and what makes Alpha Xi Delta special so here are some of those stories.

Alpha Xi Delta means courage and strength.

"To me Alpha Xi Delta means courage and strength. It means being able to get up everyday knowing you are making a difference in someone's life. Alpha Xi has given me the strength to become the woman I am today. It means realizing the potential you have in life and having sisters that push you to succeed. Alpha Xi Delta is love and encouragement. Alpha Xi Delta is home." - Molly Clay

Alpha Xi Delta is friendship. 

"Alpha Xi has brought some of my very best and most true friends that I have ever had. These are the kinds of friendships that you know you will have forever and I know that, no matter what, my sisters in Alpha Xi will always encourage and be there for me!"- Julia Bullock

Alpha Xi Delta is realizing your potential.

"If I only had three words to describe my Alpha Xi Delta experience they would be genuine, selfless, and inspiring. I credit this organization for introducing me to some of my best friends. They are the friends I go on spontaneous road trips with, the friends I study with until 3am in the library, and the friends that support me as I aspire to achieve my goals. These same women have left me speechless at times when they freely offered their support and sacrificed their time to assist me. Sometimes that meant taking me to school so I didn’t miss an exam when my keys were locked in my car; other times it meant just helping support other organizations in which I am involved.  Alpha Xi Deltas are inspiring. They are smart, charismatic, and ambitious, and I have enjoying getting close to such a diverse group of girls. Alpha Xi Delta helped transform me into the person I am today, and I have achieved more than I believed possible because of their support." - Lauren Silverwood

And for me, 

It is the amazing feeling of knowing that your sisters will support you.

A lot of personal things went on in my life during my first semester as a freshman and being in Alpha Xi. I was lost and life was very difficult for me, but I did not have to go through it alone. I knew that I could go to them with anything and they would be there to listen and that is what I needed: support and love. They will have your back no matter what and love you for who you are. - Jakira Gilbert

Philanthropy and the Community

This piece was originally submitted for publication in the Quill, a national Alpha Xi magazine.

Sometimes we get caught up in the all the wonderful aspects of sisterhood, and forget about the other things that go along with being a part of something as wonderful as Alpha Xi Delta. For many sisters in the Theta Phi chapter, our philanthropy Autism Speaks is held close to their hearts. A number of them has siblings or friends with autism, and having that connection has brought our chapter as a whole closer to the cause. Aside from exceeding our philanthropy goal in the past year, the chapter tried to make personal ties with the people we would be supporting. The local philanthropy, Mitchell’s Place, has worked with us to promote a sense of community.

The chapter wanted to give children with autism in the Birmingham area a place to be themselves, where they could stim without the reproachful attitudes of the allistic. Sisters partnered with Mitchell’s Place and the local kid-friendly McWane Science Center to provide a friendly and accommodating evening for the children and their families. The McWane Center was the perfect place to hold the event: picture hands-on games, jungle gyms, and fish (yes, there is an aquatic section where you can pet sharks and rays). Since our event was being held after-hours, we were able to keep the lights dim and the noise to a minimum in order to cater towards the more sensitive autistic children.

This event was one of the most rewarding experiences I have had through Alpha Xi Delta. I was able to talk to parents about their experiences with raising an autistic child and how events like ours were helpful in that they could let their children run free without having to worry about the judgement of others. The environment was welcoming, and I had the chance to interact with the older children and learn about the wide spectrum of autism that, as someone relatively unexposed to it, was eye-opening. The experience of putting faces to the people we were helping through our philanthropy benefitted me in so many ways. But more importantly, instead of just shipping money off to a distant organization, our entire chapter was able to provide a service to people who really wanted it. This event gave me insight to our philanthropy in ways I had not even considered before, and I would recommend it to all other chapters of Alpha Xi Delta.

New Year, Same Us

With a new semester, and a new year, we look towards the future. The next few months will be full of change, with national politics, classes, and the opportunity to grow on a personal level. I know that these new changes are exciting, but I want to take a moment to look at the past. Not in a dramatic way, I promise. Just take a moment to think about your initiation. It happened at different times for all of us. For some, it was years ago, or just a few months, with forty others or a handful of new sisters. No matter how or when it happened, it was special time for all of us.

Specifically, I want to remember the vows we made at the time of our initiation. To protect the secrecy of it all, I’m not going to go into detail of the ideals we promised to uphold, I’ll trust we all remember them. In summation however, we committed to bettering not only ourselves but our fellow sisters as well. If you ask me, that’s a big responsibility. Some days it’s hard to take care of myself much less worry about how others are doing. However, time and time again I see members of our chapter reach out to others even when struggling themselves. The selflessness that our members exhibit reminds me every day of why I joined Alpha Xi Delta.