A Girls Night Out

On Friday, February 12, Channelside’s Dolce Vita Lounge will be swarming with young ladies who will be escorting their surprise dates. Who are these ladies and what’s the special occasion? University of Tampa’s (UT) Delta Gamma sorority will be hosting their annual “Date Function” event.

This is a special event that is intended to increase camaraderie between each members “big” and “little” sisters. In most sororities and fraternities, every new member is given a “big sister” or “big brother.” These “big sisters or brothers” choose their “little” based on how close they are with the new initiate and look after them giving them helpful advice and guidance through their college career.

The Delta Gamma “Date Function” will consist of each members “big” choosing a date for their “little” and vice versa. Once every sister has a date, they will make their way to Dolce Vita located in the Channelside area of Tampa, Florida. According to Jenna Fitzsimmons, a new Delta Gamma initiate, “I look forward to this event, I can’t wait to see who my big picks to be my date.”

This is one of many events that Delta Gamma has for their members each year. “I think it’s going to be fun and I can’t wait to see who everyone chooses for each other,” said Helen Sacco, a new Delta Gamma sister. “This is my first time doing this so we shall see,” she added.

Though the general feeling among the Delta Gamma sisters is of excitement, there is a small feeling of trepidation as well. “Sometimes a big picks a terrible date for their little and ruins their night,” said Sabrina Herman, a Delta Gamma sister. “I’m a cool big so my little doesn’t have to worry,” she added.

According to the Delta Gamma web site, Delta Gamma was founded in 1873 in Oxford, Mississippi. The Epsilon-Theta chapter of Delta Gamma was installed at UT in 1980. The sorority currently has over 80 members and continues to grow each year.

Daniella Fusari

Daniella Fusari never pictured leaving her Somerset County home in New Jersey to attend college; she always imagined staying close to her Jersey home by going to a school in New York City. On a last minute visit to the University of Tampa, she was certain where she wanted to go to college. “Once I visited the University of Tampa, I fell in love with everything it had to offer,” said Fusari. Though her decision to attend the University of Tampa was made at the last minute, her decision to get involved on campus and in the Tampa community was immediate. Fusari is currently the President of Alpha Chi Omega, a sorority at the University of Tampa, the Vice President of Public Relations for the Panhellenic Council, the sorority governing board, a marketing intern for the career services, and a writer for the fashion column of The Minaret , the University of Tampa’s newspaper. These aren’t the only things that keep Fusari busy. On her free time, she enjoys going to the school gym and hanging out with her friends. According to Fusari, “Everything happens for a reason.” This is the line that Fusari lives by and basis many of her everyday decisions on. After she graduates, she plans to move back to her Somerset County home in New Jersey and work in New York City. Until then, she will continue her academic adventure at the University of Tampa and stay involved with the community as much as possible.