St. John’s Fraternities and Sororities Excel in the Classroom

St. John’s University’s 19 fraternity and sorority chapters have excelled inside and outside the classroom this year. In addition to their community service activities, nine chapters posted Fall 2024 composite grade point averages (GPAs) of 3.5 or better, and another three posted averages of 3.4 or better.

Taken together, St. John’s 19 fraternities and sororities posted a composite GPA of 3.49 compared with a campuswide composite GPA of 3.43 among all students. The high mark reflects the chapters’ commitment to the values of Greek life, according to Natalie Storelli, Director of Career and Leadership Development, University Career Services, and Interim Director of Fraternity and Sorority Life.

“There are four pillars to fraternity and sorority life—scholarship, leadership, service, and friendship,” Ms. Storelli said. “And scholarship is so important to our fraternities and sororities. In the end, you want to be able to balance academics and leadership abilities to become a holistically rounded student leader.”

Fraternity and sorority life has been a part of the St. John’s experience for more than 60 years. The 19 fraternal organizations are governed by three student-run councils—the Multicultural Greek Alliance (MGA), Panhellenic Council (PanHel), and Inter-Fraternity Council (IFC).

The MGA is comprised of fraternities and sororities that are historically Asian, Black, Latin, and South Asian. PanHel aims to create and sustain women leaders, while the IFC cultivates brotherhood and scholarship among men.

Each council has a president and an executive board. Students interested in joining a fraternity or sorority attend recruiting events like the University’s Fall and Spring Student Activities Fairs. To be eligible to join a fraternity or sorority, potential members must be full-time undergraduate students, have completed at least 12 credits at a college or university, and have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5.

Sororities in the Panhellenic Council also require candidates to participate in a formal recruitment process, during which time potential members spend several nights with existing members. An invitation to join can be offered after formal recruitment.

Nearly 600 St. John’s students participate in Greek life. The sorority Phi Sigma Sigma recorded the highest Fall 2024 cumulative GPA at 3.67. Fellow Panhellenic Council member Delta Phi Epsilon and MGA member Lambda Pi Chi were next at 3.66. Among IFC members, Phi Delta Theta posted the highest Fall 2024 GPA at 3.54. 

“We take pride in being in Greek life,” PanHel President Anna Tsoumpariotis said. “And having good grades across the board makes us stand out more. We push ourselves to our limit because scholarship is so important to us.”

Ms. Storelli said that fraternities and sororities offer more than just social advantages. Connections among fellow members within the St. John’s community and beyond, can lead to career or graduate school opportunities. Individual chapters at St. John’s also push their members to be better scholars and citizens.

“We always say, St. John’s gives you your diploma, not your organization,” MGA President Giselle Suarez said. “That said, you still want to represent your culture well with high academic performance.”

“It is hard to be a part of something if you are not taking school first,” added IFC President Michael Aruta. “We all want to excel at the values of fraternity life, but you must put your grades forward.”