Kappa Delta Phi (KDP) is a fraternity part of Greek life at SNHU. The fraternity started in 1900 at Bridgewater State University. The SNHU chapter was founded in 1968. There are 11 active members currently part of KDP (Kappa Delta Phi). While there’s not a definitive number of currently active members, the numbers range from 12 to 14.
KDP President, Rence O’Rourke (’26) emphasis the importance of volunteer work. The members of Greek life are required 10 hours of community service, while KDP require 11 hours of volunteer hours.
O’Rourke strives to make sure that all members feel welcome. Greek life at SNHU is against hazing of new and current members that are a part of Greek life.
“Southern New Hampshire is different than a lot of other schools. At all my time here in Kappa, I’ve had no hazing; it’s been quite enjoyable, and it’s all very respectable,” says O’Rourke.
KDP volunteers within the local community, doing tasks like shoveling snow as well as helping at animal shelters.
“Our favorite place we volunteer as a fraternity this year is Darbster Rescue, where we provide dogs and animals who don’t have homes a chance to develop their personality and be out in the real world for a day. Brothers also like to shovel snow for people in the community, especially because in the winter, there’s a lot of snow to shovel. Greek life also has a Greek day of service helping the community where all the organizations on campus participate,” says O’Rourke.
Many members of KDP have jobs lined up after graduation, as well as academic achievements. O’Rourke wants to break the stereotype that members of Greek life are here just to party.
“The stereotype I’d like to break the most is that there’s a lack of intelligence within Greek organizations. We have multiple brothers that are on the honor roll. Both me and another brother are financial advisor interns. We have a lot of brothers with their future lined up. I know a brother who is going to be a pilot after graduation,” says O’Rourke.
O’Rourke already has a sense of brotherhood, coming from an amazing household with two older brothers. Coming to SNHU and joining Kappa, he has a great understanding of what it’s like to have a community in which people can rely on each other.
“When you have a group of men that can hold each other accountable and trust with their actions in front of you or when you’re not there, that is something that you can’t easily replicate. The things that we have done together has helped us bond, and I trust all of them just as I trust my brothers at home,” says O’Rourke.
When searching for a potential brother, KDP seeks out members who want to serve the community and represent the organizations values of honesty and respect.
“We want somebody who we can trust and who’s honest with themselves, someone who doesn’t mind saying what’s on their mind and can communicate their emotions effectively. It’s important that you can rely on other people,” says O’Rourke.
The fraternity’s recruitment cycle is in the fall and spring semesters. For fall semesters, the cycle goes from a week after the first day of school to the end of September. For the spring semester, the cycle goes from January 6 to the end of the month.
To follow current events or to learn more about Greek life on campus, students can follow the Instagram @snhuigc and Kappa Delta Phi’s Instagram @kappadeltaphi_chi.
