Gallup, in partnership with the North American Interfraternity Conference (NIC) and the National Panhellenic Conference(NPC), presented new findings from the Gallup-Purdue Index this morning. The Index, in partnership with Purdue University and the Lumina Foundation, is a comprehensive, nationally representative study of nearly 30,000 U.S. college graduates with Internet access, measures the degree to which college graduates have “great jobs” through successful and engaging careers, and if they are leading ”great lives” by thriving in their overall well-being. This event shared new data from the Index, seeking to understand the relationship between membership in sororities and fraternities and those same college experiences.
I was present at the event and delivered the following remarks:
Thank you to Gallup for hosting this event and allowing NPC the opportunity to participate.
As NPC Chairman, I speak for thousands of sorority women today — collegians and alumnae. We are pleased to collaborate with Gallup and our counterpart, the NIC, in the research and the findings associated with the index study.
As the umbrella organization for 26 member organizations, NPC advocates for the sorority experience.
Women nurturing women is nothing new for us. Some of our organizations are 150 years old. We know that we provide supportive social learning environments for our students. This is our heritage.
It is with a great sense of accomplishment that we can point to specific high-level data that supports the notion that sorority membership enhances the college experience and provides lifelong support networks for members.
The results of this study are indeed powerful in that they validate what we advocate on a regular basis and what we know to be true — that sororities contribute to the overall well-being of women.
With the help of this research and its results, we hope to help eliminate any negative barriers about sorority life in today’s world.
When we decided to participate in this research, we knew that the results could tell us things that would be helpful. While the indicators in all five areas point in favor of the fraternity and sorority experience as contributing to well-being, it also tells us that we can strive to better our best. We can and will do more to build on these strengths.
Previous research conducted by the Center for Advanced Social Research at the University of Missouri – Columbia revealed that members of fraternities and sororities accounted for the social capital found in communities. The Gallup research findings disclosed today further reinforces our claim that sororities add value.
Sorority women are finding fulfillment in their postgraduate years because of lessons learned and experiences that helped shape their attitudes while in college. Strong relationships formed with professors and other mentors are encouraged in sorority chapters. Access to resources that people need is found in our sorority settings.
Alumnae chapter advisors and local alumnae volunteers help to guide our young leaders and empower them to make good decisions. They offer emotional support to young women in pursuit of their dreams. We know that the intergenerational aspect associated with the sorority experience is our niche. Our alumnae care deeply about their organizations, and this motivates them to give back by serving as mentors.
Evidence shows that face-to-face interactions matter and make a tremendous difference in lives of our graduates related to future engagement at work and in the communities. Graduates want to take part in a true community.
Our chapters offer authentic communities where people care about one another. The index study findings reinforce the fact that this sense of belonging contributes to the overall well-being of graduates and continues throughout their lifetime.
We know that sorority women have a higher emotional attachment to their alma mater. This translates into alumnae engagement and involvement that benefits the universities in numerous ways, including financial support.
Working in concert with university officials, we are in the business of student development whereby we encourage engagement in campus activities and scholastic achievement. Therefore, it is reaffirming to see that what we are doing is working — and that is to develop future leaders who find fulfillment in their daily work and interactions.
In short, the shared commitment among members in the National Panhellenic Conference allows us to operate as a unified coalition of women. The Gallup index study findings shared today are an extension of our organizations’ mission to encourage sorority affiliation as a lifelong commitment that helps flourish friendship, responsibility, community engagement and confidence.
We will continue to tell our story — now with data to back up our claims — that the sorority experience contributes to the overall well-being of women.
You can watch the entire event, "Fraternities and Sororities: Understanding Life Outcomes," online.
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