Tri-Zeta Sorority
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Our Story...
In 1914, The US entered the First World War. many college campuses across the country were vacated By men that left to serve. Women, seeking lifelong bonds and support with their closest friends, that could not be severed over a lifetime, began to form Sororities.
At Grove City College, Secret sororities were strictly prohibited but a group of daring young women took it upon themselves to arrange secret meetings and initiations by candlelight, even with the fear of being discovered. From their courage, Tri-Sigma Sorority at Grove City College was born - the first social sorority officially recognized by the College, though not the first national sorority.
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For seventy-one years, Tri-Sigma thrived on the Grove City College campus, until March 11, 1988, when its charter was revoked. After a brief suspension, the sorority was reinstated on November 27, 1988.
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Shortly thereafter, on June 6, 1989, the national Sigma Sigma Sigma Sorority filed a lawsuit against Grove City College's Tri-Sigma Sorority over the use of the “Tri-Sigma” name. The national organization claimed prior founding and trademark registration and preliminary findings confirmed that the national Sigma Sigma Sigma had been registered before Grove City College’s Tri-Sigma.
When it became clear that the chances of winning the lawsuit were grim, the chapter made the difficult but unifying decision to change its name. Thus, on September 6, 1989, the Tri-Sigmas became the Tri-Zetas. The Grove City Tri-Sigmas were able to keep all of our cherished t-shirts, paddles and paraphernalia -symbols of the memories and traditions already woven into its history.​
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After the sorority was reinstated on November 27, 1988, the Tri-Zeta Sorority thrived For nine years, until November 15, 1997, when its charter was revoked. After a 2-year suspension, the sorority was reinstated in 1999.
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After the sorority was reinstated in 1999, the Tri-Zeta Sorority thrived For 19 years, until March 27, 2018, when its charter was revoked. After a 1-year suspension, the sorority was reinstated on March 26, 2019.
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​For over 100 years, the three-stranded cord of Father, Sister, and Self has been upheld and cherished and it will continue to be for generations to come.
​​The number three is extremely significant in our sisterhood. Our founding sisters based the sorority’s name and traditions on the number three, as derived from the Trinity. Just as the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are the same, yet each perform different functions; likewise each sister of Tri-Zeta is equal to her other sisters yet has her own unique individuality and her own way of sharing. All are different in our sorority but all are equally valued and worthy of knowing, particularly because each one of us is different. We embrace both our commonalities and differences.