Dear readers,
Our spotlight series continues! Next up is Laura Olinger, the president of Delta Gamma. Laura is from Cypress, Texas and is a rising senior in MC '23 at UT, double majoring in Sustainability Studies and Corporate Communication with a minor in Global Leadership and Sustainability. She leads her chapter of around 310 members and works with a nine-person Chapter Management Team (CMT). Outside of DG, Laura was a founding member of the UPC Sustainability Committee, serving as education chair. Keep reading to get to know Laura!
Blog Editors: What inspired you to serve as president in your chapter?
Laura: As I became a junior and was entering my third year, I had already had leadership positions in the sorority for two years. I started off as Director of Sustainability, and then I was Director of Recruitment Records, and I really wanted to be more involved with alumni, advisors, Panhellenic, and make sure I was having the biggest impact on my chapter as a whole. I think the biggest inspiration for me was the previous president, Faith Frieling. She was one of my biggest role models ever since I became a DG my freshman year, and seeing her be such an amazing leader when she was president made me want to follow in her footsteps and make sure our members were having the best experience for what they were putting into it.
Blog Editors: What goals do you have for your presidency, and what legacy do you want to leave on your chapter?
Laura: My biggest goal is to make everything a more relaxed environment where people feel like they can come and speak to me, but also to our CMT, and make sure they feel like they have a voice in a space where they can express themselves and get the most out of their college experience in the sorority. I also want to make sure we have diversity among our members, so people are really able to be friends with girls they might not have met in their majors or in their dorms, with plenty of cross collaboration between girls with different backgrounds, interests, and paths for the future.
Blog Editors: What’s the most rewarding thing that’s come out of your term?
Laura: It's been really rewarding just getting to know more and more of our members. Our chapter at UT, being in the SEC, is so big that it's really hard to get to know everyone, let alone your own MC. The most rewarding thing has been being able to talk to a lot of girls in different classes, get to know them, and be able to help guide them whenever they need it.
Blog Editors: How would you describe a DG in 3 words?
Laura: Genuine, Passionate, Hardworking.
Blog Editors: What is your favorite tradition?
Laura: One of our philanthropy events, Anchor Splash. It's a synchronized swimming competition we do every year with male orgs, and they create their own choreography, and then we have a big competition. This past year it was at Gregory Pool, and we get to pick people to be judges. It's always really fun to watch because everyone gets so into it.
Blog Editors: What’s your “must-see” when you have visitors in Austin?
Laura: I really love El Raval, and I always take anyone who comes to visit. The food scene in Austin in general is really awesome, and I always bring people to my favorite spots when they're in town.
Blog Editors: What is the best thing DG has given you?
Laura: My friend group! I would not have met these girls if it wasn't for this organization. Panhellenic does values-based recruitment, and I feel like this is something DG really strives for during selection, making sure everyone is genuine, kind, and authentically themselves. I've met the most amazing girls who lift me up and support me no matter what, and I'm just really grateful for that.
Blog Editors: What is your favorite activity to do with your sorority sisters?
Laura: I love doing yoga with my sorority sisters. This past Saturday, some friends and I went to the Austin Yoga Festival, right on the town lake trail at Auditorium Shores, and it was so fun. It's not just about doing yoga, but going and trying new things in Austin. I feel like Austin is such a great city for that, whether it's going to Barton Springs or supporting something like a marathon.
Blog Editors: What’s one thing you wish you knew about UT?
Laura: Going into it, because it's such a big school, I thought I wouldn't find my people, that there were too many people for me to find my place here. I wish I had known that no matter what you do, you will find a place, because there are so many organizations here. Greek life is such a special community too, and it really makes the school feel so much smaller, so you really can find your people.
Blog Editors: What’s one thing you wish you knew about recruitment as a PNM?
Laura: I wish I knew that it's okay to put your walls down and just be yourself. That's the only thing that matters going into recruitment: you don't need to try and put on a different persona to impress someone. Be yourself, and you're fine. You'll find where you're meant to be, and that's the most important thing.
Blog Editors: Any general advice you have for girls on the fence about going Greek?
Laura: I would say just do it, just try it, go through recruitment. It might be intimidating and scary, but you might meet some of your best friends, even just going through the process, like whenever you're sitting at the UTC waiting for your rounds. It's always good to put yourself out there, and no matter what, you will find your place at UT. I encourage you to try something new and go for it.
We loved getting to know Laura! See you next week for another spotlight.
All my love,
Madi