The Alpha Iota Chapter in Big Rapids, Michigan is focused on engaging with their campus and fostering connection. Through their various campus-wide social events, community service events, and professional development talks, the Alpha Iota Chapter works hard to involve students from many different backgrounds and spread the Lambda Kappa Sigma name to Ferris State University’s campus. 

The Alpha Iota sisters especially love to host events that can engage other student organizations at the College of Pharmacy. Their annual Chili Cook-Off event has become a fall staple, as faculty, individuals, and student organization groups enter their best chili recipe for a chance at the top prize (most notably, the Gamma Chi chapter of Kappa Psi always submits the spiciest chili of the night). The event also serves as a fundraiser for Lambda Kappa Sigma’s philanthropy, Project HOPE. All students at Ferris State University, including those not pursuing a degree in pharmacy, are welcome to submit a chili or come sample the options and vote for the winner. By collaborating with other student organizations to host this successful event, Alpha Iota creates a fun environment that allows for camaraderie during the difficult fall semester midterm times, all while helping spread the word about LKS’s philanthropic endeavors. 

Outside of the successful chili cook-off event, Alpha Iota sisters also participate in events hosted by other Registered Student Organizations (RSOs) at Ferris State University. Each spring the Ferris Student Government hosts the Big Event where RSOs sign up to send groups to homes in the Big Rapids community. Students help to complete yard work, paint fences, and complete other at-home projects for members of the community who may be unable to complete these jobs otherwise. This serves as a great way for the Alpha Iota sisters to give back to the community, as well as collaborate with the other student organizations on campus. Alpha Iota Chapter also serves as an associate chapter of the Panhellenic Council at Ferris, which gives them a unique opportunity to collaborate with the social sororities on campus. The sisters enjoy attending professional development meetings hosted by the Panhellenic Council each semester and participating in campus-wide events such as the Greek Carnival and Greek Week. 

Alpha Iota is also broadening their horizons by collaborating with other organizations on campus to host educational events. Most recently, they worked with their campus’s Anti-Violence Alliance to co-host a presentation on domestic violence awareness and how a pharmacist can help to recognize signs of violence or provide support to patients in need. This collaboration allowed the sisters to learn more about their potential impact on pharmacy practice and sparked discussion amongst their pharmacy peers about a very important topic. 

Overall, the Alpha Iota sisters have worked hard to foster connection among their members, their campus and their community. Here are some tips to help your chapter do the same: 

• Host events that invite participation from other student organizations 
• Participate in campus-wide service and social events 
• Send a delegate to campus-wide governing body meetings (such as professional fraternity council or student government) 
• Co-host professional development events to increase your reach

Written by: Macy Ilmberger