Zeta Tau Alpha sorority returns to ASU, secures house location on sorority row
JONESBORO —Zeta Tau Alpha sorority is returning to Arkansas State University following the extension of the chapter by the national ZTA office. In addition, Zeta Tau Alpha will join four other Greek organizations in the planning and construction of an additional chapter house on the ASU campus.
“Re-colonization of the Zeta Omicron Chapter of ZTA will provide an exciting opportunity for the collegiate women of ASU who are looking to participate in Greek life as well as demonstrate their proven leadership skills that will help re-establish the chapter,” said Dr. Lynita Cooksey, interim vice chancellor for Academic Affairs and provost at ASU.
“Zeta Tau Alpha is a strong sorority in Arkansas and throughout the nation. Alumni are looking forward to assisting with the growth and support of the ZO chapter. As a member of the ZO chapter, I, along with other ASU faculty and staff ZTA alumni are looking forward to seeing the ZTA letters being worn proudly by the new members who pledge this fall.”
The ZTA Foundation supports programs that are educational, philanthropic and responsive to the needs of a changing society. This year, the Foundation celebrates 20 years of support breast cancer awareness and education in philanthropic efforts. The Think Pink® programs are a point of pride and participation for collegiate and alumnae members alike.
Additionally, the Foundation annually gives more than $620,000 in scholarships to undergraduate and graduate students.
“We are pleased to welcome Zeta Tau Alpha back to the Greek community at ASU,” said Dr. Rick Stripling, vice chancellor for Student Affairs. The women of the Zeta Omicron Chapter of Zeta Tau Alpha will occupy a new chapter house to be constructed along with the four chapter houses already planned. We welcome them to the table as we continue work on the construction of these new projects.”
The planned facility at Arkansas State will sleep 20 members with space for dining and meeting together. The ZTA Fraternity Housing Corporation was chartered in 1977. It currently has a net worth of $30 million and owns or manages 103 facilities nationwide.
Construction of the Greek housing will mark the first time in university history that sorority chapters have had individual housing. In announcing plans to construct the housing, university officials pointed to growth potential in Greek membership on the Jonesboro campus similar to significant growth in Greek membership at campuses in Arkansas and across the nation.
Groundbreaking for the Greek housing was held in April at the Aggie Road site.
The university will construct and own the facilities for those sororities that have signed lease agreements guaranteeing occupancy and additional support from the national chapters for common spaces. Revenues generated by the lease agreements will repay the bonds issued to construct the sorority houses.
All active Panhellenic and National Pan-Hellenic chapters were given the opportunity to construct a home. Following interactions with local and national organizations, four chapters elected to proceed with the project. Zeta Tau Alpha is the fifth chapter participating in the project.
“Zeta Tau Alpha is enthusiastic to reactivate our Zeta Omicron Chapter at Arkansas State University and become a part of its thriving Greek community,” said Extension Director Marlene Conrad. “We are confident ZTA will provide a rewarding and impactful experience to women at Arkansas State.”
“ZTA is excited to partner with the university to secure a home where members of the chapter will be able to live, meet and build a strong future for ZTA at Arkansas State,” said Julia Hill, president of the Zeta Tau Alpha Fraternity Housing Corporation. “This will be a place where members create friendship, gather for programs and events, and chart the course for the chapter’s success.”
Zeta Tau Alpha was founded in 1898 at the State Female Normal School (now Longwood University) in Farmville, Va., and has more than 218,000 members worldwide. With 159 active chapters, ZTA is one of the nation’s largest Greek women’s groups. ZTA aims to develop members’ leadership, academic and service skills, and supports breast cancer education and awareness.
