PULLMAN, Wash. — The newest fraternity recognized by the Washington State University Panhellenic Association is for women who appreciate agriculture.
The newly chartered WSU Chapter of Ceres International is one of 16 women’s fraternal groups on campus. The fraternity takes its name from the Roman goddess of agriculture, Ceres. Therefore it has no Greek letters.
The international organization was founded in 1984 as an extension of Farmhouse Fraternity. The WSU charter is the ninth granted by Ceres. Ceres is a sisterhood created for women with an appreciation for agriculture, although members don’t have to be enrolled in agricultural courses.
The WSU chapter began a year and a half ago with five members. It now has 26 active members. Members strive for high academic standards. Last year, Ceres women had the fifth highest GPA of all sororities on the WSU Campus, said President Jenn Deking, a senior from Sprague. The organization was formally an interest group until its charter was recognized by WSU on Sept. 16.
A high school grade point average of 3.00 is required of incoming freshmen and a 2.50 GPA is required for current or transfer college students for membership.
Last year Ceres’ functions included a Valentines Day dance, Combine Derby, participation in the Batten Disease Awareness Run, Adopt-A-Highway and Adopt-A-Family programs.
This year the chapter plans to participate in the American Cancer Society Relay for Life, which is a national Ceres philanthropy, and to continue support of Adopt-A-Highway and Adopt-A-Family.
Officers are: Jennifer Deking, president; Michelle Ney, vice president; Sara Bruhy, secretary; Sarah Barlow, reporter; Catlynn Swan, treasurer; Tracy Anderson, junior treasurer, and Alicia Mace, panhellenic representative.
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