djoswalt

My name is Darlene Oswalt and I grew up in Suburban Chicago. I went to school at Iowa State University where I joined Zeta Tau Alpha in 1986. I was not a very active Zeta Alumna until my husband took a job in Charlotte, North Carolina and our family moved in 2004. To make friends, I joined the local Alumnae Chapter and got very involved. I have been an Alumnae Chapter President and currently serve as a General Advisor for a collegiate chapter. I work part time at my church, I like to run, and work with my mom on a family genealogy project. My daughter is a Freshmen at Appalachian State University. I also have a daughter who is a high school Sophomore.

college daughter,college life,Greek life,legacy,mother's perspective,Parent's Perspective,sorority life

Though, I’m no longer blogging for SororityParents.com on a regular basis, I just wanted to share with my readers how proud I am as a Panhellenic parent. My daughter Emily was elected Panhellenic President at Appalachian State University!  Here is the article in the paper and a picture we took at her installation. Thanks for letting Read the Rest…

college daughter,college life,Greek life,mother's perspective,Recruitment

Sadly this is my last blog.  I have enjoyed this year and will continue to be an involved parent with my daughter’s sorority experience.  But I felt I wanted to give Emily her privacy as she moves forward in college and her life.  We both have learned so much about each other and our love Read the Rest…

college life,Greek life,mother's perspective,Parent's Perspective,sisterhood,sorority life,technology

As we got ready to take Emily to Asheville for her summer job, she left us a variety of instructions: check my email and if I get any from this person or that person, please print it off and send it to me.  Now these instructions may take some of you by surprise (she lets Read the Rest…

college life,community service,Greek life,mother's perspective,Parent's Perspective,philanthropy,sorority life,volunteering

It’s that time of year again-end of the school year.  Not just for college students but also high school students.  They are making final commitments to where they will attend college in the fall and starting to explore the question, “do I want to join a sorority?”  The answer I hope will be yes! One Read the Rest…

college life,daughter away from home,Greek life,mother's perspective,Parent's Perspective,sorority life,summer job

For the last 6 summers, my daughter played softball.  It took up the majority of her time.  The idea of getting a summer job was always discussed but she just could never find one that fit around her ball schedule.  So now with softball over, we broached the subject of “what are you going to Read the Rest…

college life,community service,Greek life,International Badge Day,mother's perspective,Parent's Perspective,sorority life,volunteering

My daughter is coming home for spring break next week.  And as luck would have it, Monday, March 7th is NPC International Badge Day.  So I started thinking, what we could do together to celebrate this event.  After all, we are our own little Panhellenic-she an AOII and me a ZTA. Here is what we Read the Rest…

child's changes in college,college break,college daughter,college life,Greek life,home visits,mother's perspective,Parent's Perspective,sorority life

Having spent 3 weeks with my daughter home over the break , I am beginning to see the difference between her living here full time, and our current “arrangement.”

college life,Greek life,initiation,mother's perspective,Parent's Perspective,sisters for life,sorority life

AOII New Initiates (Emily is front row left) I drove up to watch Emily perform in her first Jazz Ensemble group performance last night.  She has sung in high school and at church, but this was the first time I was going to watch her sing in college.  In the past, her father, sister and Read the Rest…

college finances,college life,Greek life,mother's perspective,Parent's Perspective,sorority life,sorority membership costs

The first is we will pay all fees and dues required for membership, but anything she bought she would have to pay for … The second rule was that she had to fill in the parent e-mail section so that we got a copy of the bill.

accepting a bid,Greek life,mother's perspective,Parent's Perspective,potential new member,sorority life,sorority recruitment,sorority rush

I love roller coasters. I love the anticipation of going up that first big hill, the free-fall with my stomach up in my throat as we plunge down … This past week when recruitment began at Appalachian State University, I pulled the harness over my head and got ready for an incredible experience.