history
The initial idea to bring an Asian American-interest sorority to the University of Virginia sprang from the minds and hearts of Sophia Ni and Ting Ting Zhu during their first year in the Spring semester of 2000. Other interested women quickly shared their ambition to make the desire a reality. Under the name S.o.Y.A. (Sisterhood of Young Asians), the interest group became a C.I.O. (contracted independent organization) at UVA in the Fall semester of 2000.
S.o.Y.A. members spent the following three semesters fulfilling first, the requirements set by the University in order to establish a new Greek Organization on grounds, and then those of Sigma Psi Zeta Sorority, Inc., while simultaneously contributing to the community within and beyond the University. During that time, S.o.Y.A. members became involved with activities which included a presentation at the Piedmont Community College multicultural heritage awareness day, attending the Virginia Commonwealth University multicultural Greek expansion weekend, volunteering at the Kids Lift Foundation holiday toy drive, volunteer hosting at the minority career fair, volunteering at a Thanksgiving dinner for migrant workers, hosting a S.o.Y.A. semi-formal co-sponsored by V.S.A. and C.S.A., throwing the party “ICE”, fundraising through campusfundraiser.com and a California roll sale on the lawn, supporting and collaborating with other Greek and non-Greek organizations, etc.
The group dynamic of S.o.Y.A. evolved over time under the leadership of President Sophia Ni, and in December of 2001 in New York City, five strong third years crossed as sisters of Sigma Psi Zeta Sorority, Inc. Michelle Chen, SungHee Kim, Sophia Ni, Susan Tiedemann, and Ting Ting Zhu founded the Lambda Charter of Sigma Psi Zeta at the University of Virginia. Participation in the Multicultural Greek Council began immediately, and the sisters launched into Greek life at the University of Virginia. In the Spring semester of 2002, the Lambda Charter ladies crossed their first Alpha Class, welcoming first years Grace Lee a.k.a. Io and Cindy Yu a.k.a. Rhea.
S.o.Y.A. members spent the following three semesters fulfilling first, the requirements set by the University in order to establish a new Greek Organization on grounds, and then those of Sigma Psi Zeta Sorority, Inc., while simultaneously contributing to the community within and beyond the University. During that time, S.o.Y.A. members became involved with activities which included a presentation at the Piedmont Community College multicultural heritage awareness day, attending the Virginia Commonwealth University multicultural Greek expansion weekend, volunteering at the Kids Lift Foundation holiday toy drive, volunteer hosting at the minority career fair, volunteering at a Thanksgiving dinner for migrant workers, hosting a S.o.Y.A. semi-formal co-sponsored by V.S.A. and C.S.A., throwing the party “ICE”, fundraising through campusfundraiser.com and a California roll sale on the lawn, supporting and collaborating with other Greek and non-Greek organizations, etc.
The group dynamic of S.o.Y.A. evolved over time under the leadership of President Sophia Ni, and in December of 2001 in New York City, five strong third years crossed as sisters of Sigma Psi Zeta Sorority, Inc. Michelle Chen, SungHee Kim, Sophia Ni, Susan Tiedemann, and Ting Ting Zhu founded the Lambda Charter of Sigma Psi Zeta at the University of Virginia. Participation in the Multicultural Greek Council began immediately, and the sisters launched into Greek life at the University of Virginia. In the Spring semester of 2002, the Lambda Charter ladies crossed their first Alpha Class, welcoming first years Grace Lee a.k.a. Io and Cindy Yu a.k.a. Rhea.
awards & recognition
Over the years since its founding, the Lambda Chapter of Sigma Psi Zeta has worked hard to gain local and national recognition for its achievements and accomplishments. The sisters of the Lambda Chapter have put in countless hours to Sigma Psi Zeta’s philanthropy as well as the betterment of Asian/Asian-American cultures and heritages. The Lambda Chapter has enjoyed various awards from the Greek community at the University of Virginia as a chapter and on an individual basis. Each year the sisters aim to elevate Lambda Chapter even further and bring it to new heights.
National Convention
UVA Greek Awards
Infinity Award
The Infinity Award is considered the one of the greatest honors that a Lambda Chapter sister can receive, and is given to the sister who represents Scholarship, Dedication, Sisterhood, and Activism.
Scholarship Award
Every year the alumnae of the Lambda Chapter select one active sister to receive an award for exemplary scholarship and academics.
- Integrity Award (2013 - Santa Monica, CA)
- Psi Sister Award (#30 Anita "Kalumix" Lewis; 2017 - Denver, CO)
- Philanthropy Award (2019 - Flushing, NY)
- Chapter of the Year 2nd Runner-up (2019 - Flushing, NY)
UVA Greek Awards
- Outstanding Programming (2005-2006)
- Outstanding Scholastic Achievement (honorable mention, 2006-2007)
- Most Improved Chapter (2006-2007)
- Most Improved Chapter (2007-2008)
- Outstanding Chapter President (#27 Mimi "Raspberry" Wu, 2008)
- Outstanding Chapter President (#29 Juliette "Laneige" Cho, 2009)
- Outstanding Chapter (2009)
- Outstanding Chapter President (#40 Esther "Vioré" Na, 2011)
- Outstanding Scholastic Achievement (highest GPA in MGC; Fall 2012)
- Outstanding Chapter President (#45 Julia “AsIaTicA” Wu; Spring – Fall 2012)
- Outstanding Scholastic Achievement (highest GPA in MGC; Fall 2013)
- Most Improved Chapter in the MGC (Fall 2015)
- Most Improved Chapter in the MGC (Spring 2018)
- Outstanding Chapter President (#74 Angela “LyraDA” Chang; Spring 2018)
- Outstanding Emerging Leader (#96 Selena "Isagimera" Huang; Spring 2018)
- Greek Endowed Scholarship (#94 Thyra "Corsynthéa" Jensen, Spring 2019)
- Ranked 1/60 Fraternities and Sororities for Highest GPA (Fall 2019)
- Outstanding Emerging Leader (#107 Isabelle "Volontéza" Fang, Spring 2021)
- Chapter of the Year in the MGC (Spring 2021)
- Outstanding Chapter Advisor of the Year (#94 Thyra "Corsynthéa" Jensen, Spring 2023)
- Chapter of the Year in the MGC (Spring 2023)
- Outstanding Service to the Community (Spring 2023)
- Most Improved Chapter in the MGC (Spring 2023)
- Outstanding Emerging Leader (#114 Sarah "Emprexéia" Raza, Spring 2023)
- Certificate for Outstanding Commitment to Community Service (Spring 2023)
Infinity Award
The Infinity Award is considered the one of the greatest honors that a Lambda Chapter sister can receive, and is given to the sister who represents Scholarship, Dedication, Sisterhood, and Activism.
- 2013: #47 Stella “AluXV” Mach
- 2014: #51 Michelle “missA” Wu
- 2015: #54 Yujin “Chunsa” Cho
- 2016: #56 Catherine “VibraDA” Fu
- 2017: #74 Angela “LyraDA” Chang
- 2018: #82 Sarah “Séchora” Chu
- 2019: #89 Anne Katherine "LegaDA" Brooks
- 2020: #94 Thyra "Corsynthéa" Jensen
- 2021: #105 Cynthia "Persimeira" Wang
- 2022: #102 Tina "ToccaDA" Comlekoglu
- 2023: #107 Isabelle "Volontéza" Fang
Scholarship Award
Every year the alumnae of the Lambda Chapter select one active sister to receive an award for exemplary scholarship and academics.
- 2013: #51 Michelle “missA” Wu
- 2014: #53 Hajung “Demi” Yoo
- 2015: #56 Catherine “VibraDA” Fu
- 2016: #58 Winnie “Paeolis” Yang
- 2017: #72 Judy “Issoula” Pan
- 2018: #74 Angela “LyraDA” Chang
- 2019: #94 Thyra "Corsynthéa" Jensen
- 2020: #95 Kayla “Iremía” Coverston
- 2021: #107 Isabelle "Volontéza" Fang
- 2022: #106 Cheryl "Yulana" Yue
- 2023: #121 Lio "Tessitorio" Wu