With excitement and anticipation, members of Delta Delta Delta sorority, 302 Ash Ave., welcomed presidential candidate and Tri-Delta alumna Elizabeth Dole to their house Friday morning for an hour-long reception and brunch.

Rachel Scherle, junior in political science and journalism and mass communication and member of Gamma Phi Beta sorority, helped coordinate the event.

She said the reception was held to show support for Dole in her bid for the presidency.

“We’re hoping that through this reception we’re showing Elizabeth Dole a positive image of the greek system here at Iowa State,” Scherle said. “This is just an opportunity for us to say, ‘Thanks for stopping, we appreciate it, and we’ll try to get as much support for you as we can.'”

Monty Shaw, Iowa campaign manager for the Elizabeth Dole Exploratory Committee, said the visit was scheduled partly because of support the ISU community has shown for Dole’s campaign.

“They’re doing all this work for Mrs. Dole — there’s always a lot of excitement here,” he said.

During the reception, Dole mingled with various members and alumnae of Tri-Delta sorority and also talked to the group about last Tuesday’s shootings in Littleton, Colo. She asked for their opinions on what should be done to decrease violence in schools and communities.

Dole also thanked the sorority members for their support of her presidential campaign.

“What a wonderful team to be helpful as we go through this process,” she said. “What we’ll be doing is making history together, so let’s make history.”

Alicia Rollison, junior in history and Tri-Delta member, said the house members are excited to help Dole in her historical endeavor.

“If she’s here [in the future] to make a speech, we would make sure as a chapter that we would go and support her and make sure we told the other greek houses and invite them along also,” Rollison said.

Before heading to Des Moines to announce the members of her Iowa Leadership Team, Dole joined Tri-Delta members outside their house for a group photo and kick line.

Dole will be visiting the sorority again on Aug. 14 after formal Rush has been completed, Shaw said.