The Beta Psi chapter of Delta Gamma has officially colonized here at the University of Alabama, welcoming 224 new members to the sorority, said Nicole Porter, director of communications for the sorority.

More than 30 Delta Gamma volunteers from across the nation came together to organize colonization efforts, according to a press release. During formal recruitment week in late August, all potential new members were introduced to Delta Gamma in Bryant-Denny Stadium and those interested signed up for interviews with official representatives from the sorority. Nearly 500 women were interviewed.

“After preparing for two years, we are very proud to introduce our colony to the Alabama community, with appreciation for all the campus has done to contribute to our success,” said Beth Bell Searcy, national Delta Gamma president, in the release. “A strong, well-rounded group of student leaders and scholars comprise this colony, and we have every confidence the outstanding women who accepted our membership invitation will contribute significantly to the greek system at Alabama and will shine as Delta Gamma’s 147th chapter in North America.”

Megan Berry, a freshman majoring in nursing from Charlotte, N.C., said although she did go through formal recruitment, she knew within the first days of formal recruitment she wanted to interview to join the Alabama chapter.

“Everyone was so inviting and so classy,” Berry said. “I was very impressed at how organized everything was and how nice everyone was.”

Berry said on Saturday the sorority held a preference ceremony, similar to those during formal recruitment week. About 100 members from the Ole Miss chapter of Delta Gamma assisted with the ceremony. As potential new members walked into the party, which was also held in the scholarship room of Bryant-Denny Stadium, they were given flower leis they placed on an anchor, the official symbol of the sorority, as they left.

On Sunday, the potential new members met at the Ferguson Center where they received handwritten envelopes with their names on them which included a letter notifying them whether or not they would be founding members of the Beta Psi chapter, Berry said.

“I hope for DG for years and years to come to be one of the best sororities at Alabama with the best reputations,” she said.

Holly Jordan, a freshman majoring in accounting from Frederick, Md., said she like how dedicated the sorority is to their philanthropy, Service for Sights, which aids children with vision loss.

“I thought it would be a great experience to start a chapter here at Alabama,” she said.

Jordan said some of her goals for the sorority are to build a strong bond between the sisters and work hard for the philanthropy.

Katie Blazic, a freshman majoring in chemical engineering from Cincinnati, Ohio, said she considered joining Delta Gamma from the beginning of formal recruitment.

“I’m really excited,” she said. “It’s a lot of responsibility, but I look forward to helping shape the chapter and making it our own hope.”