Kappa Phi Lambda Gamma Chapter

Happy 14th Kappaversary!

-Courtesy of Victoria *Elicit* Chan

Values Academy Keynote Speaker: Victoria ‘Elicit’ Chan

Gamma Chapter’s Victoria ‘Elicit’ Chan was invited last semester to speak on behalf of Syracuse University’s Asian Pacific American Heritage Month’s “Paving the Way” series. She talked about her experience as an SU student, as a member of the Greek community and as Jackie Chan’s executive assistant.

However this time is an even bigger deal— she is returning to Syracuse University as the keynote speaker for Values Academy.

Values Academy is a program that is sponsored by the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs at Syracuse University. The purpose of Values Academy is to reach out and support members of culturally diverse fraternities and sororities on the Syracuse University campus. The Values Academy helps promote awareness of current issues that are considered to be significant matters that pertain to, or are occurring within the organizations and advocates strategies that are necessary to address and mediate those specific issues. The Values Academy further exists to assist the growth and development of culturally based fraternities and sororities on college campuses throughout the Northeast.

 Here is Victoria’s short interview so that you can get to know her a little bit better before tomorrow’s big day

1.) What was your major when you were in school?

Political Science & African American Studies, class of 2009.

2.) What are you currently doing?

What are your future plans? I am currently learning how to speak Swahili because I recently got invited to work on a project in Tanzania! I do freelance photography and public relations for different non-profit organizations. In the future, I’d like to continue to travel and use photography to carry out the vision of different causes. You can check out my page at www.facebook.com/elicit4tography.

3.) What is one thing you want to young women to know about Kappa Phi Lambda that they would not necessarily know about and why?

When I was a freshman, I was invited to go to a rush event. Without doing my research or even giving it a consideration, I quickly declined. Why? Because I thought sorority girls were all about partying and drinking with boys. Little did I know that the social events that the Gamma chapter sisters were hosting were used to raise awareness on the issue of domestic violence and fundraise for their local philanthropy, Vera House. Don’t judge a book by its cover and do your research.

4.) Why did you decide to join Kappa Phi Lambda?

A change was needed on the SU campus. When I was a freshman, I believe SU was ranked #8 or #9 as the most segregated school in America. My goal was to unite students of all cultures and diversify the campus. I wanted to learn more about other cultures, and I wanted other cultures to learn about mine. I decided that pledging Kappa Phi Lambda Sorority, Incorporated would allow me to have a platform to carry out my vision as a student at SU. I never did it for the sisterhood because I already had my own sisterhood. But through the education process in the Fall of 2006, I developed a very close bond with my line sisters and the sisters in the chapter.

5.) What was one of your fondest memories as a sister of Kappa Phi Lambda?

I was invited by Newhouse School of Public Communications and Office of Multicultural Affairs in 2011 to be the concluding speaker for SU’s Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. A lot of my sisters from NYC drove up to support me. On the last day, even though I had a 45 minute flight to get on to get back to NYC, I opted out of that to squeeze into the car with my sisters for a 5 hour drive - just because I wanted to spend more time with them. I can tell you stories for days - like roadtripping from Syracuse to Ohio in ten straight hours, attending performances and step shows Binghamton, Albany, Cornell, to calling emergency meetings amongst the chapter and ordering Chinese food when a sister gets a new job or breaks up with her boyfriend. I really have stories for days.

6.) What advice would you give to the young women of Syracuse University that you wish you knew?

1. Get involved. Yes, you’ll want to spend your Wednesday night in your dorm room hanging out with your friends and staying out of the cold, but chances are - there is a speaker in town or a fundraising event is being held in Schine to benefit children who can’t afford pencils. Go out of your comfort zone and don’t just hang out with someone you know from your hometown. There is something to do for everyone at SU.
2. The photos of you intoxicated and acting ridiculously silly on a Saturday night are fun memories to keep for yourself. Think about what kind of image you want to portray to others, to future employers. If you’re applying for a job at my company, I don’t want to see those photos on Facebook. Neither would your parents.
3. Get to know and keep in touch with staff, administration, students, professors and local businesses. You never know you can do to help them one day, and you never know if they’re watching you to potentially hire you, recommend you for an internship or boost your grade for being such a hard worker.
4. Leave a legacy. When you come back in five or ten years, who is going to welcome you? How will future generations even know that you were a student at SU?
5. Have fun. Go to football and basketball games. Wear orange. Paint your face orange and blue. Take a lunch tray and slide down the big hill on Winding Ridge when it snows. Take pictures! You’re going to miss Syracuse University once you’ve graduated. Trust me.

7.) How has Kappa Phi Lambda changed your life?

It taught me the importance of team work, sisterhood and friendship. We must continue to search deep into our roots - culturally, personally and professionally. Gamma chapter has support me in all of my endeavors as an artist and given me more strength to develop myself as an Asian American woman.

Are you still curious about Victoria? Be sure to attend Values Academy tomorrow to see her speak on behalf of many faculty and students. Be sure to check our tumblr again as there will be a follow up post on what happened at Values Academy.

 If you can’t make it to the event, it will be tweeted live so be sure to follow at twitter.com/ValuesAcademy

We are so proud of you big sister! <3

Meet Our Charter: Neriza Hufnagel *Velocity*

In the spirit of Rush, which is coming up in just two days, we thought it would be great idea for everyone to get to know the sisters better. The first person you all get to meet is a very special lady because if it was not for her and four other incredible women (Lisa Chan, Betty (Zena) Chen, Lisa Fan, Jenny Wong) Kappa Phi Lambda Sorority would not have been established at Syracuse University. As an alumn, she remains very active and she visits Syracuse a few times each year. So without further ado we present to you an interview with Neriza Hufnagel *Velocity*.

1.) What was your major when you were in school? Former nursing student, then pursued finance.

2.) What are you currently doing? What are your future plans? Working for an elevator consulting company as Operations Coordinator/Asst. Project Manager

3.) What is one thing you want to young women to know about Kappa Phi Lambda that they would not necessarily know about and why? There are many stereotypes about sororities and fraternities. Fortunately, not all of them are true. Do your research and see which group fits you best. Greek life definitely gives you the social connections that you wouldn’t have (this includes post-grad).

4.) Why did you decide to join Kappa Phi Lambda?  After spending time with the sisters, it was an easy choice.  I felt the charters and I had a connection with them and we wanted to bring that sisterhood to Syracuse.

5.) What did you gain from starting Kappa Phi Lambda? I gained confidence in myself and respected those who want to change the world for good no matter what. When the charters pledged, it was hard to get support from friends. And I think most of our parents didn’t know what we were up to at the time. I know my mom thought I started a cult or something. She thought sorority life was about partying and drinking. When you believe in something, you just have to go do it no matter what everyone else thinks.

6.) What was one of your fondest memories as a sister of Kappa Phi Lambda? Pledging. Staying up late nights, working on projects and bonding with your pledge class, eating, laughing.  Those things you can’t relive.

7.) How has Kappa Phi Lambda changed your life? I definitely have taken on a leadership role because that’s what Kappa Phi Lambda teaches you. To be a leader not follower. I’m more confident of who I am and what I represent. The sorority gave me a piece of everlasting sisterhood that I didn’t know existed. My views of Greek life changed for the better and know what being a member can be a positive experience.  My sorority sisters help me realized that I have a support system and a feeling of family when I need it.

8.) I know you are a motivational individual from chartering Gamma Chapter to competing in marathons. What inspires you to do all these things? I don’t consider myself one of those inspirational speakers but I do feel in some way that I can change some things for the better. Whether it be something big or small, I want to make an impact on life. I started running in HS and as a sophomore I became captain and all through senior year. I felt like my team depended on me to  lead them and I wanted to be a good role model. Throughout my HS running days, I’ve won a couple races on my own and many events where my team mates and I ran together.  Although I didn’t pursue running after HS, the leadership role and experience I gained as captain affected my strong decision to start KPL in Syracuse, knowing that having leadership and being a role model was something needed in order to make a positive impact on campus and the community. Although it may seemed so minor back then, I knew our chapter was going to matter and affect people’s views about Asians in the Greek community.  As for running I decided one stay to start it up again. Believe me when I say that once you get older, your body changes and you have stay active to maintain the weight you want. At first, I started to just get back into shape. But later on, I signed up for races to see how I was improving. But I never thought I would consider running a marathon at all!

9.)How did you get started in marathons? So far, I haven’t ran a marathon but I’ve ran at least about 6 half-marathons so far. My first marathon will be this November. My running days started back in HS.

10.) What advice would you give to the young women of Syracuse University that you wish you knew?  Have fun while you are at school. College life is easier than the real world.  Take advantage of the social activities/network and meet as many people as you can.

If you have not been up-to-date with our tumblr, Neriza was featured in our older post titled: Our Chapter’s Charter Helps Raise Cancer Awareness Through Running. It is about how she is part of Team Continuum a non-profit organization that is dedicated to taking care of individuals battling cancer, during her 2011 ING NYC Marathon. Please visit her Team Continuum Page to learn more about Neriza’s involvement and to donate to this great cause.

Isn’t she amazing? Keep visiting our tumblr as there will be more sister interviews to come!

New Year, New Look

The new look for the official Syracuse Kappa Phi Lambda website is finally here!! Take a look! :)

Our Chapter’s Charter Helps Raise Cancer Awareness Through Running

Even after graduating from Syracuse University, it is clear that sisters continue to contribute to our community in some way and therefore continue to uphold one of Kappa Phi Lambda’s three pillars, service.

One Kappa Phi Lambda alumna, our amazing charter, Neriza Hufnagel *Velocity* have decided to raise money for Team Continuum, a non-profit organization that is dedicated to taking care of individuals battling cancer, during her 2011 ING NYC Marathon.

Please visit her Team Continuum Page to learn more about Neriza’s involvement and to donate to this great cause. Also follow her on her tumblr to learn more about our Charter and updates on her pursuits in achieving her goal. 

Asian Racial Slurs caught on video at Syracuse University

http://storify.com/caitlindewey/asian-slur-video-surfaces-at-syracuse-university

http://jerkmag.wordpress.com/2011/06/24/racism-at-syracuse-university/

Comstock Kidfest