Onward State Story - Meet Theta Chi ‘Sweetheart’ Samantha Fisher
Theta Chi ‘Sweetheart’ Samantha Fisher with brothers - Aug. 2016
Whether they’re called White Roses or Sweethearts, some girls at colleges around the nation volunteer to be the feminine face of fraternities. What was once a tradition now seems rare, but Samantha Fisher is trying to keep the ritual alive.
Fisher, a senior engineering sciences major, describes her position as the “girl brother of the house.” She has all the benefits of being a brother, but doesn’t have to pay any dues. She parties with them, has a big role in recruitment, and is even in the composite. “Instead of cleaning, I bring baked goods,” Fisher said.
She doesn’t live in the Theta Chi house, but she does go to the parties early to clean up a little before everyone arrives. Fisher says she’s the mother figure of the house but feels like more of a friend. “A lot of the guys have questions on how to do the things that their moms or girlfriends did for them in high school, whether it’s laundry or cooking, and I’m here to help them out with that,” Fisher said. “But I’m also a quality wingman.”
Her other responsibilities include bringing a card and a baked good on birthdays and helping the brothers pick out a tie on a date. “They need a girl’s perspective,” Fisher said. Other times, they play video games, watch movies, or just hang out and have end-of-the-week relaxation time.
This position is traditionally held by a sorority sister, but being a member of Greek life isn’t mandatory.
Fisher claims being an independent makes her better at her ‘job.’ “Not being in a sorority makes me more available to them whenever they need me.”
So, what’s in it for her?
Theta Chi ‘Sweetheart’ Samantha Fisher - Aug. 2016
“Having people depend on me and want me to be around feels awesome,” Fisher said. “Changing someone else’s life by helping them gives me a sense of purpose. They get different things out of it, but I think I get a lot more out of it than they do. This year is going to be stressful for me but every time I walk in the door, I’m flooded with hugs. It’s honestly a fun job, and when I go out, I know I’m going to be safe because I have them with me. They protect me. Them being my support group is my favorite part of being the Theta Chi Sweetheart.”
Fisher found out about the position while she was at a Theta Chi party. One of the brothers mentioned it to her, so she applied off the cuff. “I wrote a cover letter,” Fisher said. “They printed it out and sent it around the house. I way over did it and I was so embarrassed. I felt like the teacher’s pet on the first day of school.”
Fisher tries to make it to the house at least once a week and on average spends about three to four days hanging out with the brothers. “These are my friends and I enjoy spending time with them,” Fisher said. “They’re not here to hit on me. It’s just like having biological brothers.”
Fisher is single for the meantime, but she thinks that if she had a boyfriend, he would be comfortable with her job. “They know there isn’t any competition,” Fisher said. “I have all male roommates, and they all think it’s really cool. I grew up with all guys, so it’s perfect for me.”
Fisher’s main objective is to perpetuate the sweetheart tradition in fraternities and to hopefully expand the position throughout Penn State. “If there’s one thing that I want to happen out of my position, it’s for this type of relationship with a sweetheart to continue, preferably more than in just my own frat,” Fisher said. “If another person can feel what I feel when I walk through those doors, everything I’ve done will be worth it.”