Westminster College Students Attend Sigma Kappa Convention, Local Chapter Takes Home the Gold

NEW WILMINGTON, Pa. - Two Westminster College students attended the Sigma Kappa 85th National Convention and accepted awards on the sorority's behalf July 11-15 in The Woodlands, Texas.

Caitlin Fleckenstein and Kelsey Doak represented Sigma Kappa, known as Alpha Sigma at Westminster College. Fleckenstein and Doak joined over 400 collegiate, alumnae and national council members at the biennial convention. This year's theme was "Inspiring Leaders. Building Our Legacy."

The women of Alpha Sigma received two awards in their district: Scholarship and Best Sisterhood, along with two national awards: Gold Circle and Three Stars of Excellence. This is the third consecutive year the chapter has won the Three Stars of Excellence and the first time ever the chapter has raised more than $2,000 for the Gold Circle. Alpha Sigma was also one out of only 16 to receive the award.

According to the Sigma Kappa website the Three Star Standards of Excellence Award is: "Sigma Kappa's most prestigious collegiate award. Presented to those chapters who meet all of the Sigma Kappa minimum standards and above. These standards include high performance in areas such as: membership, financial management, philanthropy, scholarship, public relations, ritual, recruitment, leadership, new member education, alumnae relations and campus involvement."

"Kelsey and I were so honored to represent our chapter and all of our girls," Fleckenstein said. "It was such a wonderful experience."

Caitlin Fleckenstein, chapter president, is a senior early childhood and special education major. She is a daughter of Kim and David Fleckenstein and a graduate of Chartiers Valley High School.

Kelsey Doak, executive vice president, is a senior public relations major. She is a daughter of Randy and Kalinda Doak and a graduate of Indiana Area Senior High School.

Sigma Kappa sorority, founded in 1874, is a national not-for-profit organization of more than 146,500 women dedicated to excellence in academics, personal character, and service to society. The purpose of Sigma Kappa sorority is to "provide women lifelong opportunities and support for social, intellectual, and spiritual development by bringing women together to positively impact our communities."

Contact Fleckenstein at fleckecm@wclive.westminster.edu for more information.

Westminster College students attend Sigma Kappa Convention (l-r) Conner Radgowski, a Sigma Kappa from Thiel; Melissa Wiley, a Westminster College and Sigma Kappa alumna; Caitlin Fleckenstein, Sigma Kappa chapter president; and Kelsey Dawson, Sigma Kappa executive vice president.