At first, I was hesitant when I first attended recruitment events for Alpha Sigma Kappa – Women in Technical Studies. It sounded ominous — like it would be hard to achieve the academic expectations and more work than play. As I spent time with the sisters, I found that not only did they know how to succeed academically, but they knew how to kick back and make a girl feel welcome.

Although the sisters of Alpha Sigma Kappa don’t live in a house, we still have the same motivations for joining a sorority.

We aim to serve our community through volunteering and leadership opportunities. Alpha Sigma Kappa participates in philanthropy events that better the community, such as fund-raising for Youth & Shelter Services and furthering interest in technical fields. This fall, our sorority organized “Scout It Out,” an all-day event that introduces Girl Scouts to science and engineering activities. Similarly, ASK judges at the Ames Science Olympiad.

In addition, ASK offers many leadership opportunities. Whether it is as an officer in our cabinet, a representative to Collegiate Panhellenic Council or any of our other positions, every sister can find a way to expand her abilities in organizing and leading others. In this light, ASK is beneficial not only for the community, but for its members as well.

We create strong friendships between sisters, and like to show our social side too. Like other sororities, ASK participates in Greek Week, Homecoming, Veishea, as well as all the fun events that accompany each week, such as Yell Like Hell, Lip Sync and Greek Olympics. Recruitment events are times to bond over a box of Pokey Sticks, a cup of coffee or a game of Pictionary. Even though we don’t live in a house, we still are actively bonding to keep our sisterhood strong.

We, as sisters of Alpha Sigma Kappa, have similar goals to better ourselves and our community through friendship, academic achievement, sisterhood, and philanthropy. We enjoy and take pride in learning, volunteering and becoming not just friends, but sisters — establishing bonds that will last a lifetime.

Tamara Bartlett

Freshman

Electrical engineering