The Cougar's Byte

Issue date: 3/9/10 Section: Features

As a lady of the rose, Nu Theta Chi President, Brittany Turco, has blossomed into a fundamental, benevolent leader of her sisterhood. Turco, a junior elementary education major concentrating in history, ascended to her leadership role after being both confidently nominated and elected without any prior executive board experience. "My sisters saw something in me; I have been told I have a way with words," says Turco. And yet, if accomplishments are signs of action, Turco may be more than just a patron of effecting speaking ability.
In this 09'/10' academic year alone, Turco and the sisters of Nu Theta Chi sorority have orchestrated and volunteered in many community service events. The sorority is often involved in awareness-themed walk/run marathons, some of which have been concentrated on various cancers including the urgent battle against breast cancer. More recently Turco and sisters took time to tie the breast cancer awareness symbol, pink ribbons, around Kean University's trees in an endeavor to draw more awareness among the student body. Additional specific cancer-walks that Nu Theta Chi volunteered for recently includes a "Light the Night" walk - an effort to draw awareness to leukemia & lymphoma.

When originally faced with the proposal to consider presidency of the 1940 established sorority, Turco looked not to the accustomed aid of her mother, whom Turco equates to a "best friend", but rather sought advice from the leadership-experienced dad. "My family is very supportive of everything I do, but my dad is a coach for a sports team, so leadership is something he is accustomed to. He had great advice for me in this [presidential] role."

Perhaps Turco can attribute her appreciation of family bonds to some of the humanitarian endeavors she shares with Nu Theta Chi. In fact, an upcoming community service truly hits home for Turco. In June, Turco will join other Nu Theta Chi sisters in orchestrating a school prom for the Academic Learning Academy, located in Monroe Township, NJ. This institution specifically provides specialized classroom instruction for individuals 3 to 21 years of age whom have been classified with autism or autism-like behavior. After a long term of fundraising for the event, Nu Theta Chi will not only be donating money for decorations and catering, but is also collaborating with other Greek organizations to supply photography and music for a heightened and authentic prom experience. "We are really excited about this!" says Turco, smiling. "Many of our sisters will be present for event and serve as dance partners to the students. We really want them to enjoy this important experience." Turco, harkening back on her own role as prom-date to an autistic cousin two years ago, recalls just how much it meant to him for her to be there for that moment. "He still talks about it to this day." Turco, like many of her fellow sisters in Nu Theta Chi, has a compassionate spirit and will continue to shed a proud light on what Greek life at Kean University has to offer.

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