Fraternity & Sorority Life (Patterson Court Council)
Greek life at Davidson consists of a unique structure of fraternities, sororities, and eating houses known as Patterson Court Council.
Patterson Court Council organizations at Davidson College aim to provide students with an opportunity to learn and interact in small-group situations and facilitate personal growth in the areas of scholarship, social and leadership development, campus and community service involvement, and values clarification.
In pursuit of these aims, the Student Activities office supports Patterson Court Council’s vision to be a community of support that recognizes the value of unique individuals and organizations and promotes their engagement in the larger community through relationship building, collaborative learning and the process of self-discovery.
If you are interested in joining a Patterson Court Council Organization you must have completed at least one full semester at Davidson College, meet the academic and organization’s requirements, and be able to uphold the responsibility of any financial costs for membership of the organization.
Fraternities
To join a fraternity, you must receive a bid for membership and must meet the national GPA requirement for the organization you hope to join. Houses with facilities offer meal plans for upperclassmen. To join an NPHC or Latinx fraternity, you must complete the membership intake process.
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. was founded on a cold Tuesday, December 4, 1906, at Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, by a group of black men who were desirous of maintaining more intimate contact with one another than their classroom studies permitted. The Tau Omicron chapter was charted here at Davidson College on November 1, 2003. We are known for our impactful service, educational projects, popular social programs, and consistent involvement with student organizational leadership positions. The fraternity’s mission is to develop leaders and promote brotherhood and academic excellence while providing service and advocacy for our communities.
Established at Davidson in 2008, the Pi Mu chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. commits themselves to various service projects, hosting educational programs and personal development of their members. The fraternity's goal is achievement in every field of human endeavor.
Established at Davidson in 1890, the Delta chapter of the fraternity supports programs for mentoring, military heroes support, and muscular dystrophy research, among others. Brothers value scholarship, leadership, community service and fellowship.
Established at Davidson in 2019, the Davidson College Associate Chapter of Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity, Inc. aims to create an inclusive environment that helps Latinx students at Davidson feel welcomed. The fraternity’s ideals of academic excellence, brotherhood, leadership, Latino unity, and service function as pillars that are the foundation of our programming. The brothers are currently working on receiving chapter letters and uplifting the standards of Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity, Inc. at Davidson’s campus.
Established at Davidson in 1929, the North Carolina Gamma chapter of Phi Delta Theta works with Raleigh based Support US Armed Forces: a non-profit that provides morale, welfare, and encouragement to our men and women in uniform. Members also value brotherhood, community service, and academic success, and the chapter has three times received the Kansas City Award which recognizes the best small-school chapter of Phi Delta Theta internationally.
Established at Davidson in 1923, the Delta Kappa chapter of the fraternity supports organizations such as the Red Cross and Continuing the Mission (CTM). Brothers aim to create lifelong friendships within the fraternity while promoting a commitment to learning and excellence.
Established at Davidson in 1883, the Theta chapter of the fraternity supports the National Alliance on Mental Illness through various philanthropic events. Brothers pride themselves on being true gentlemen of good scholarship and promote service and involvement both within and outside of the Davidson College community.
Established at Davidson in 1930, the Epsilon chapter of the fraternity supports the Ada Jenkins Center in Davidson, as well as the YouthAIDS organization, the American Cancer Society and the Red Cross. The house recently received its third Buchanan Outstanding Chapter award, its second Academic Excellence award, and an award for excellence in recruitment. Brothers work to recruit men from diverse backgrounds and with diverse interests.
Eating Houses
To join an eating house, you may choose to participate in the placement process in January, either as an individual or as one of a four-person cluster (clustering ensures all four students get into the same house). Houses with facilities offer meal plans for upperclassmen.
Founded in 1992, Connor House supports breast cancer awareness and early detection through its partnership with Friends for an Earlier Breast Cancer Test. In addition to planning social activities, members promote sisterhood through collaborative service and philanthropy in the greater community.
Founded in 1977 as the College's first eating house, Rusk House is a diverse group of energetic individuals who value sincerity, trust, community, and acceptance. Through service and philanthropy, the house is committed to fighting hunger and food insecurity in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg area.
Founded in 1998, Turner House is the college's youngest eating house and is proudly located “upon a hill” behind Patterson Court. With Community Care as our mission, Turner House is able to adapt to an ever-changing sociopolitical landscape by reevaluating where it focuses its efforts every year based on which issues seem most prevalent. Turner’s focus is Reproductive Rights, the Davidson Community Garden and Mental Health Advocacy.
Founded in 1982, Warner Hall House supports HIV/AIDS prevention and awareness initiatives through partnerships with the Mwandi Christian Mission Hospital in Zambia and the Regional AIDS Interfaith Network (RAIN) in Charlotte. Members are dedicated to promoting leadership, friendship and fellowship.
Sororities
To join a sorority, you must attend an information session hosted by the sorority to learn more about membership. To join an NPHC or Latinx sorority, you must complete the membership intake process.
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated ® was founded on a mission of five basic tenets that have remained unchanged since the sorority’s inception. The sorority values high scholastic and ethical standards, unity, community service, education, and interest in women's issues. Established as the first sorority at Davidson in 2008, the award-winning Sigma Psi Chapter has continued to serve the Davidson and greater Charlotte community, through programming, fundraising, and direct service.
Established at Davidson in 2011, the Upsilon Mu Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. aims to enlighten and enhance the community with the sorority’s core values being Sisterhood, Scholarship, and Service. Sisters have received several awards for academic and civic achievements, including Patterson Court Women's Organization of the Year and Center for Civic Engagement Outstanding Organization, among others. The sorority's guiding motto is: "Intelligence is the torch of wisdom."
The Alpha Gamma chapter of Latinas Promoviendo Comunidad/Lambda Pi Chi Sorority, Inc. was founded at Davidson College on December 1, 2018. The Sorority is Latinx-based but not Latinx-exclusive. Las Hermanas are committed to the three ideals upon which the Sorority’s foundation stands: La Comunidad, La Cultura Latina, and La Hermandad. Las Hermanas strive to empower womxn by providing a supportive network dedicated to personal and professional advancement. La Hermandad is further advanced by a shared dedication and promotion of public service and cultural awareness, with an emphasis on Latino history, contributions, and experiences.
Student photographer Sydney Schertz '24 captures a semester in one of Davidson's eating houses, Warner Hall. From philanthropy events to placement day, explore Davidson's unique take on Greek life.
