User:Samantharpop/Rho Epsilon Pi

Rho Epsilon Pi (ΡΕΠ) is a local sorority at Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut. Rho Epsilon Pi was founded on March 21, 2011 by four Wesleyan Women; Samantha Pop, Melody Oliphant, Grace Zimmerman, and Lucille Finn.

Mission Statement
The mission of Rho Epsilon Pi is to cultivate the creativity, knowledge, and spiritual illumination of its members through a perpetual bond of friendship and sisterly affection to develop strong, passionate Women with a commitment to leadership, moral integrity, and community service for the betterment of the individual, the Wesleyan Community, and the world.

Symbols
The “Compass Rose” is the symbol of the sorority and its colors are Cardinal Red and White. The red rose is the flower of the sorority and the cardinal is its mascot.

Crest
The crest of Rho Epsilon Pi is adapted from the shield of Wesleyan University, with a field of red covered by a white cross. The two upper fields of red outlined by the cross each contain the image of a cardinal, the mascot of Wesleyan University, which also serves as the mascot of the sorority. The two lower fields each hold the image of the rose, the flower of the sorority. Together, these two symbols merge to form the “Cardinal Rose” which shows the cardinal directions. The scallop shells that traditionally adorn the Wesleyan shield as a symbol of pilgrimage have been replaced by a central image of “The Compass Rose” which is the symbol of the sorority. The compass acts as a reminder of the moral compass that guides each member as she is the agent of her own journey. Two chevrons, reminiscent of the double-chevroned oars of the Wesleyan crew team, pointed oppositely, adorn the top of the crest and bear the sorority’s Greek letters.

Letters
The letters rho (P), epsilon (E) and pi (π) were chosen as the Greek-letters for the organization for symbolic reasons. According to mystical traditions, the Greek letter rho, translates to “creative female power” and has the symbolic meaning of “fruitfulness, vegetative growth, adaptability, and fluidity.” Epsilon translates to “ether” and means “breath of life.” Pi translates as “spiritual illumination.”