Skip to main content
  • Home
  • About
  • Faculty Experts
  • For The Media
  • ’Cuse Conversations Podcast
  • Topics
    • Alumni
    • Events
    • Faculty
    • Students
    • All Topics
  • Contact
  • Submit
Campus & Community
  • All News
  • Arts & Culture
  • Business & Economy
  • Campus & Community
  • Health & Society
  • Media, Law & Policy
  • STEM
  • Veterans
  • University Statements
  • Syracuse University Impact
  • |
  • The Peel
  • Athletics
Sections
  • All News
  • Arts & Culture
  • Business & Economy
  • Campus & Community
  • Health & Society
  • Media, Law & Policy
  • STEM
  • Veterans
  • University Statements
  • Syracuse University Impact
  • |
  • The Peel
  • Athletics
  • Home
  • About
  • Faculty Experts
  • For The Media
  • ’Cuse Conversations Podcast
  • Topics
    • Alumni
    • Events
    • Faculty
    • Students
    • All Topics
  • Contact
  • Submit
Campus & Community

Greek Orgs Help Syracuse Students Start the School Year

Monday, September 12, 2016, By Shannon Andre
Share
People standing behind table of backpacks

Current and alumni members of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, who helped organize a school supply drive

While just settling into the start of classes themselves, three Syracuse University Greek organizations took time on Sept. 7 to welcome Syracuse City School District students to the start of their school year.

Nearly 20 current and alumni members from the Iota Upsilon chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated; Delta Zeta chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated; and Kappa chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated, joined members of the Syracuse community at Van Duyn Elementary School to greet the students and get them excited for the year ahead.

“Greeting the students was so heartwarming,” says Monique Witter, a senior in the School of Education and president of Alpha Kappa Alpha. “Being able to see the smiles on their faces and how excited they were to be back in school shows how much of a difference we can make.”

When the organizations learned of the opportunity to get involved, they were eager to join in the effort.

“As an organization we’re very invested in the promotion of education for our youth,” says Javaughn Loftman, a senior in the Martin J. Whitman School of Management and member of Alpha Phi Alpha. “We find it very important to get into the community, especially into the Syracuse City School District, to help in any ways that we possibly can. When we were notified of an opportunity to help, we jumped on it immediately.”

In addition to the high fives and cheers, the members of Omega Psi Phi brought along book bags and school supplies for the students. Omega Psi Phi launched the book bag drive two years ago, inspired to help ensure students were equipped with the supplies they needed to succeed in school. After purchasing the book bags, the Omega Psi Phi chapter works with partners and organizations across campus to collect the school supplies to fill the book bags.

“It was a warming feeling to be able to give back to students and help those who aren’t afforded the opportunities that everyone should have,” says Justin Alvarez, a senior in the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications and Omega Psi Phi’s Keeper of Finance.  “It was nice to see children be happy over the small things we take for granted.”

Organizations interested in getting involved in the book bag drive can contact Omega Psi Phi President Eddie Nwaba at eonwabaj@syr.edu.  To learn more about Greek organizations on campus, visit the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs website.

  • Author

Shannon Andre

  • Recent
  • Ian ’90 and Noah Eagle ’19 Share a Love of Sportscasting and Storytelling (Podcast)
    Thursday, June 5, 2025, By John Boccacino
  • Rock Record Illuminates Oxygen History
    Thursday, June 5, 2025, By Dan Bernardi
  • What Can Ancient Climate Tell Us About Modern Droughts?
    Thursday, June 5, 2025, By News Staff
  • Blackstone LaunchPad Founders Circle Welcomes New Members
    Thursday, June 5, 2025, By Cristina Hatem
  • Syracuse Stage Concludes 2024-25 Season With ‘The National Pastime’
    Wednesday, June 4, 2025, By Joanna Penalva

More In Campus & Community

Blackstone LaunchPad Founders Circle Welcomes New Members

Syracuse University Libraries’ Blackstone LaunchPad welcomed 34 graduates of the Class of 2025 as new members of the Founders Circle. They were selected in recognition of launching or leading ventures at the University while students, as well as contributing to…

Neal Powless Inducted Into American Indian Athletic Hall of Fame

You could say that lacrosse is in Neal Powless’s blood. Powless G’08, the University ombuds, is a member of the Onondaga Nation Eel Clan. He is the son, grandson and brother of legendary lacrosse players. Powless picked up a lacrosse…

The Milton Legacy: Romance, Success and Giving Back

Growing up, Stacey Milton Leal ’75 and Chris Milton heard countless stories about how Syracuse University brought their parents together in what would turn out to be a fairy tale romance with a happy forever ending. So it was no…

Syracuse University Libraries’ Information Literacy Scholars Produce Information Literacy Collab Journal

Earlier this month, Syracuse University Libraries’ Information Literacy Scholars published their first open access information literacy journal, Information Literacy Collab (ILC). It is available on SURFACE, the University’s open access institutional repository. ILC is a diamond open-access publication by and…

Trip to Atlanta Gives Falk Students ‘Real-World’ Opportunities and Connections

The city of Atlanta is home to professional sports franchises in major leagues: Atlanta United FC (Major League Soccer), the Braves (Major League Baseball), Dream (WNBA), Falcons (NFL), and Hawks (NBA). Atlanta also features professional teams in lacrosse, rugby, and…

Subscribe to SU Today

If you need help with your subscription, contact sunews@syr.edu.

Connect With Us

  • X
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • LinkedIn
Social Media Directory

For the Media

Find an Expert Follow @SyracuseUNews
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • LinkedIn
  • @SyracuseU
  • @SyracuseUNews
  • Social Media Directory
  • Accessibility
  • Privacy
  • Campus Status
  • Syracuse.edu
© 2025 Syracuse University News. All Rights Reserved.