Delta Phi Epsilon
President
Sarah Dickey
"On behalf of the sisters of the Eta chapter of Delta Phi Epsilon at the University of Pittsburgh welcome!
My name is Sarah Dickey, and I am the president of the Eta Chapter of Delta Phi Epsilon. DPhiE was founded at the University of Pittsburgh in 1925 and nationally we were founded on March 17th, 1917 at the New York University School of Law. Our motto is “esse quam videri”, which means “to be rather than to seem to be” and this is the main pillar to the way sisters of Delta Phi Epsilon strive to live their lives.
Delta Phi Epsilon has three philanthropies: The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, The National Association for Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders, and the Delta Phi Epsilon Education Foundation. These philanthropies are a way for our members to come together and work for something that is greater than us. Every fall, our chapter hosts the event “Deepher Dude” a male talent competition where we raise thousands of dollars for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Every spring, we host “ANAD Week” to raise awareness for eating disorders across campus. My sisters take pride in the work that they do to raise money and spread awareness for these amazing causes.
Outside of DPhiE, our sisters are involved throughout campus. We have sisters involved in Pitt Pathfinders, Pitt Tonight, the Blue and Gold Society, and the University of Pittsburgh National PanHellenic Conference. It is amazing what DPhiE women do throughout the Pitt Campus. Regardless of how busy each one of us gets, it is always comforting to know that if any of us ever need anything we have a home on campus in DPhiE.
I joined Delta Phi Epsilon as a freshman in the spring of 2016. The house has grown from approximately 70 sisters to 100 within these past few years. I am incredibly excited for what is next for the house!"
Vice President of Operations
"As the vice president of operations, I oversee all monetary operations, risk management, and suite life. The monetary operations of the sorority range from collecting dues to budgeting for all events for the year. In terms of risk management, we have a set number of overseers depending on the event (i.e. date party, hayride, formal) to ensure the safety and well-being of all of our sisters and make sure that everyone is accounted for before we leave to or from any location. Lastly, suite life includes a couple different things. For one, I stay in contact with the house manager to make sure that everything is running smoothly within the suite and help in minor conflict management whenever necessary. I also oversee any renovations to the suite such as painting or new furniture.
Coming into my freshman year at Pitt I wasn't really sure what to expect from my future here and I can honestly say that Delta Phi Epsilon has molded me into the person I am today. It has offered me leadership positions that I never knew I would go for as well as the confidence to go after them. It has also connected me to a multitude of people that I never would have met otherwise and these people have now become some of my best friends. I know that Delta Phi Epsilon has given me life long memories and friendships and I couldn't imagine who I'd be without this house."
Haley Petitjean
Vice President of Programming
Ayesha Godiwala
"Holding the position of Vice President of Programming has been one of the most exhilarating experiences in my college career! I coordinate and oversee all philanthropic events that the sisters of Delta Phi Epsilon hold and attend. One such event is Deepher Dude, a male pageant in which a contestant from every fraternity (and other organizations on campus) competes in various rounds to win the highly coveted title of Pitt’s Deepher Dude! It is the largest sorority sponsored event on Pitt’s campus, and this year, the event succeeded in raising almost $18,000 for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation! I also work with similar position holders of other organizations on campus to help raise funds and awareness for their incredible causes. Another one of our internationally recognized philanthropic beneficiaries is ANAD — the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorder. It is a cause that especially we, as college aged women, hold very close to our hearts. I work with the Programming Team to plan a week of events on Pitt’s campus to promote ANAD awareness and access to resources for such disorders.
I have met the most amazing individuals - both inside and outside Delta Phi Epsilon - through the position of Vice President of Programming. I have gotten the chance to work with Miss Pennsylvania 2018 and Colton Underwood (the current star of The Bachelor) to raise money and awareness for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, and I have found awe inspiring strength in the stories of women & men who have been affected by ANAD. Delta Phi Epsilon has given me so much, and I truly cannot imagine my life without my sisters or the opportunities that the house has granted me! I never thought I could be the type of woman who could lead an entire university in coming together to raise thousands of dollars for a disease that affects over 30,000 Americans. I could never have imagined that I would find so much inspiration in the diversity that comes with every sister in the sorority. Delta Phi Epsilon has honestly given me everything that I never knew I needed, and for that, I will be eternally grateful!"
Vice President of Recruitment
"As the Vice President of Recruitment, I oversee social media, apparel, public relations, and all things recruitment. I love this position because I have such an impact on cultivating potential new members into the house. Through my position, I am able to have an influence on the future of the house even after I graduate. I loved the recruitment process when I went through and I just wanted to be involved in helping potential new members find their home.
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DPhiE has taught me so many things and has given me so many experiences that have helped me grow as a leader and as an individual. My sisters are the most supportive people I have ever met and this organization has truly taught me what it means to support each other.
Delta Phi Epsilon has made me become the best version of myself and has introduced me to the most amazing people, and the best friends I will ever have. I know when I graduate the people I have been introduced to through greek life as well as the work the greek community does is what I will miss the most about Pitt.
Jackie Chertock
Vice President of Membership Development
Steph Fox
"My name is Stephanie Fox and I am the Vice President of Membership Development.
Outside of DPhiE, I work part-time as a busser and I am a proud member of Student Supportive Services. I will be graduating this year with a degree in Communications and minor in Economics and Italian and I can talk all day, any day about anything Italian.
My responsibility in DPhiE is to ensure the connections to the house for Alumnae, Parents, and New Members. In our house, Delta Phi Epsilon doesn't end at graduation, and to encourage connection post grad, I work with the Parent Alumni Coordinator to create fun events such as Alumnae Tailgate party during homecoming to constantly invite the Alumnae back home. In the spring I am planning a huge family weekend to celebrate the end of a successful year with anyone a sister considers family. However, my favorite aspect of my job is to oversee the New Member curriculum. I love meeting our newest sisters, and help guide their way into where they fit in the house. Before I was VPMD I was Assistant New Member Educator and it was the best position I held. My girls reminded me why I joined DPhiE and I loved watching them grow together as sisters and the future leaders of this house. They truly embodied our motto "Esse Quam Videri" which to us means to always apologetically be yourself. I am so excited to see what the next chapter of Deephers will bring!”
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Vice President of Academic Affairs
"As the Vice President of Academic Affairs, I oversee and help cultivate Delta Phi Epsilon's balance between academic affairs and social programming. Our chapter holds five core values, one of which being scholarship. We demonstrate this value through our house GPA, weekly study hours, and academic focused programming. These programs include academic seminars based on house needs and an "Academic Success Program", which groups sisters together based on majors, interests and academic goals. We also acknowledge sisters' academic achievements with the "Smartypants" award given each week to a sister who demonstrates academic success. Delta Phi Epsilon also hosts an end of the year brunch for sisters who show high scholastic achievement. We are very proud of our academic abilities and create opportunities for our sisters to reach their full, academic potential.
Delta Phi Epsilon values a well-rounded sister, which is why we value our social abilities just as much as our academics. Every year, Delta Phi Epsilon hosts date parties at various venues throughout Pittsburgh, as well as an annual haunted hayride and a highly-anticipated formal event. We value forming new Greek relations with other organizations on Pitt's campus and I love getting to be the Leadership Team member who helps facilitate these new friendships.
Delta Phi Epsilon has given me so much more than I ever thought a sorority would. I have never been such a confident and outgoing person, and I know that I have all of my sisters to thank for that. Every woman in the house truly wants what is best for each other, and they have brought out the best qualities in myself. I have learned something new from every woman in this organization, and I am thankful to be a part of a house that is full of talented, beautiful, and empowering women."
Taylor Ayers
Member at Large
Sandra Wittig
At the core of any successful sorority is a strong sisterhood. As Member at Large, I strive to constantly improve Delta Phi Epsilon’s sisterhood to provide a happy and flourishing environment for all Sisters. Our strong sisterhood is maintained by holding sisterhood events and upholding our values through Standards Board and Ritual. We host multiple sisterhood events throughout the year, ranging from cozy movie nights to ice skating in the park! Not only do these events provide a fun activity, but they allow even the oldest sisters and newest members to come together and form friendships they might not have otherwise! We also have “Koala Dates,” named after our local mascot, where sisters have the opportunity to get paired and hang out with other sisters that they don’t know well – with 100+ sisters, these events make forming a relationship with everyone a little easier! Standards Board is our governing system within the sorority, used to ensure every sister is embodying our values and also to acknowledge those who go above and beyond. We also hold Ritual during important milestones, such as Initiation of New Members and the transitioning of Seniors to Alum, to remind ourselves of and celebrate our values!
These are just a few things that my position as Member at Large entails, but beyond that, this position has provided me the opportunity to utilize leadership skills that I didn’t even know I had! I am incredibly proud to be a member of an organization filled with such amazing women, and I can’t thank Delta Phi Epsilon enough for all of the opportunities for personal growth that it has given me.