Many students outside of Greek life see joining fraternities and sororities as ways to make lifelong friends and participate in philanthropic causes—but Haley Osborn, a second-year history major hailing from Fort Collins, Colorado is adding a whole new dimension to DU’s sorority life.
Osborn started making waves during the spring quarter of her first year when she decided to search for a group of girls to start a sorority. Granted, not just any sorority. Osborn was looking for girls who would help start a sisterhood that is grounded by their Christian faith, and the chapter they chose was Alpha Delta Chi (ADX).
During the fall of her first year, Osborn was inclined to rush for a sorority, but was later persuaded not to—she didn’t feel comfortable. She felt as though she didn’t fit in, and a lot of her individual values differed from the other girls. So, she decided to start her own.
“The hardest challenge was finding girls who wanted to do it,” said Osborn. “That, and not having an adult advisor dedicated solely to ADX.”
Knowing that they would first have to prove their commitment towards creating their own chapter here at DU, Haley and seven other girls met all of winter and spring quarter as a Bible study, and at the end of the term they submitted their letter of intent to to establish the chapter of Alpha Delta Chi and received their charter from the national board.
Osborn has helped create a safe environment for women where all events are dry. In this sisterhood, women are encouraged to make lifelong friends while challenging each other academically and helping other women through their philanthropy which aims to provide alternative therapy for unplanned pregnancies.
“Alpha Delta Chi has doubled in size and is reaching young women who would never have joined a sorority otherwise,” said Osborn.
Osborn said everything is going better than she imagined, and that she’s excited to see where ADX goes at DU.
“We have eight potential new members right now, and it is so rewarding to see this after a year of starting this process,” she said.
Through the efforts of Osborn and the other founding members, a sorority based on faith has established itself at DU that is challenging what it means to be a sisterhood.
