Today, beer drinking is glorified and racist bus chants are condemned, making Greek life both the most stereotypical and controversial component of American college culture.
In response to the negative press American fraternities have received in recent months, The Chimes sought to learn more about the only faith-based fraternity on campus: Sigma Alpha Beta (SAB).
What initially started as a bible study group, SAB was founded in 2007 on the basis of Christian ideals. Founding members Colleen Slusarz, Shane Sonnenberg, and Dustin Dunlavy sought to create a community where brothers and sisters could work toward achieving a greater good.
While many of its members still respect and practice Christianity, SAB now considers itself a faith-based fraternity, open and inclusive to all faiths and belief systems, said SAB President Megan Creasap.
The fraternity’s New Member Handbook defines faith “as a confidence or trust that is not based on proof.”
Creasap makes an imperative distinction between faith and religion.
“Faith to us can mean faith in many different things—each other, ourselves, etc.—so….I would say that every member of our fraternity has a sense of faith; that is why they were recruited. However, that is not to say that everyone in SAB is ‘religious,’” said Creasap.
The variety of faith represented in the fraternity includes Atheism, Agnostism, Paganism, and Catholicism; yet, Christian undertones are still present.
The group originally wanted to be named Rho Omega Delta (ROD), as a quasi-reference to God, and the Icthus, a common Christian fish symbol, serves as the fraternity’s symbol.
The fraternity further incorporates faith by having a prayer begin and end every chapter meeting, with a devotional led by a different member each week.
“During New Member Education, we attend a variety of religious services together to teach our new members about our value of faith,” said Creasap.
Two months ago, SAB added a faith chair to its constitution, naming junior Angie Renner as its first faith chair holder.
Renner is responsible for planning weekly worship sessions and carving out time for faith-based events outside of regular chapter time.
“We plan on visiting synagogues in Bexley, mosques in the Greater Columbus Area, and local Pagan druids,” said Renner.
While SAB as an entire organization does not collaborate often with Pastor Gary Sandburg, the organization is looking to collaborate with him more in the future.
“Many of our members attend chapel on campus and collaborate with Pastor Gary individually or in small group settings,” said Creasap. “…As far as how people who are atheist or agnostic feel about our chapter having faith and religion as part of our chapter, I would say that we are all very supportive of one another’s beliefs. I have personally learned a lot about other religions and faith systems that I didn’t know about before joining SAB, and it has been a journey of mutual respect.”
In addition to faith, the fraternity’s other six values include Leadership, Compassion, Scholarship, Service, Fraternal Love, and Character.
“When I say that I consider everyone my brothers and sisters, I mean that,” said Renner.
Renner added that the fraternity is singular to Capital and unique in the way that it is the only co-ed fraternity with the Inter Fraternity Council (IFC).
SAB welcomes everyone to attend Wednesday morning chapel service at 10 a.m. in Kerns Chapel.
