One of the most popular traditions in Greek Life is the Sweetheart tradition. What is this tradition, you may ask? Let’s find out!
History of the Sweetheart
The term “sweetheart” is a tradition used by fraternities all over the United States and is believed to date back many decades in college fraternity culture.
Sigma Chi is believed to be the first fraternity to adopt the tradition around the 1920s. Byron Stokes wrote the song “Sweetheart of Sigma Chi” and was popularized by many of the brothers in the early 20th century.
Role of the Sweetheart
There are multiple roles that sweethearts can have within a fraternity. It starts out with the members of the fraternity voting on a female student to represent the chapter. They are often considered an “honorary member” and usually are close friends to many of the brothers in the fraternity.
Some of the responsibilities of being a sweetheart include helping coordinate social events and formal functions, participating in philanthropy events, as well as promoting positive relations around campus. Sweethearts may receive an item that is of significance to the brotherhood in some instances.
Modern Day Sweethearts
Today, there are many different fraternity sweethearts across colleges in the United States, which depends on the amount of houses on campus. However, while most abide by the sweetheart tradition, not all fraternities follow this practice.
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