The founding sisters of Delta Delta Delta have experienced what few can say they have taken part in: developing traditions and making a lasting impact on campus.

“It’s exciting, you get to start your own traditions,” said Business senior Claire Leuck, president of Tri-Delta. “It’s not easy, but it’s all worth it when we see our hard work pays off.”

Established last spring, Creighton’s chapter of Tri-Delta has 95 founding members and just extended eight bids to new women in informal recruitment.

“It is so cool just to be able to call yourself a founding member,” said Business junior Karisa Almgren, vice president of public relations for Tri-Delta.

“It’s something that you can tell your grandkids.”

The Greek community has been very welcoming and helpful, Leuck said. According to her, officers in other sororities have been more than willing to answer questions the Tri-Delta executives may have.

Eric Immel, assistant director of Greek Life, agreed and said Tri-Delta has had to learn all of this in a structure that is largely based in tradition. Creighton’s other Greek chapters have helped teach the traditions to Tri-Delta, which also allows these chapters to refocus.

“Chapters have taken more ownership of their own programs because they know that there is an enthusiastic new group on campus,” Immel said. “Across the board Tri-Delta has been an over-whelmingly positive addition to our community.”

Immel said the group has provided more opportunities to women to get involved on campus. With Tri-Delta, 100 more girls have been able to get involved in Greek life.

Almgren said although Tri-Delta is new, people on campus shouldn’t count them out.

“We’re here and we are striving to be classy women,” Almgren said. “We are trying to be active in the Creighton community as a whole, not just Tri-Delta.”

Leuck and Almgren both said being a part of Tri-Delta has been a life-changing experience.

“I don’t think any of us expected it to be the way it is at all,” Leuck said. “I think we were all pleasantly surprised with how it has turned out.”

Leuck said she foresees the bonds that have formed lasting far beyond college, and when Almgren had surgery last year, she said her sisters were there for her.

“Two of my sisters stayed overnight in the hospital,” she said. “And these were girls I did not know six months before. It is incredible.”

Immel said one of the great things about having Tri-Delta on campus is the great programs they are bringing to campus. Tri-Delta’s philanthropy is St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. The national sorority has a goal to raise $15 million in the next five years and Creighton’s chapter is excited to be a part of that.

“We are very passionate about our philanthropy partner, St. Jude,” Leuck said. “We want to make a difference, and we know that there is strength in numbers with each other.”

Almgren was one of the members that went to St. Jude’s this summer. She said it was the most momentous experience she has had.

“It’s only been a year, and I’ve already had so many incredible experiences,” Almgren said. “I wouldn’t trade it for the world.”

Leuck said it has been incredible to see the potential that the sorority has.

“It’s really cool to know that we’re preparing other Tri-Deltas to come in and fill our shoes and see where they can take our initial ideas and see how that can grow in several years,” Leuck said.

Leuck also said that the people make the experience.

“When you know that you have 103 people, no matter who you are, supporting you, it makes it all worth it,” she said.

“When you see everyone laughing and hanging out and all these girls didn’t know each other six months ago, it’s really cool to see.”