Packaging senior Salimah Turner always spends her Sunday afternoons studying.
But this past Sunday, she joined members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority in the Wonders Hall Kiva to help raise money for a charity and scholarships during their Study-A-Thon, which is held twice a year.
More than 40 students were expected to participate in the study day, which was from 10 a.m. to midnight. The students earn money by gaining sponsors for their study time.
“This is something I do every Sunday,” Turner said. “I’m up early in the morning, usually at (the MSU-Detroit College of Law Building), so why not come here and support a worthy cause while studying?
“It is something that I do every day anyway.”
Turner, who studied for her packaging class, said the study session encourages students to do well in classes, while supporting charities.
“(The sorority is) always doing something positive,” she said. “It encourages students to go forth with higher education.”
Last time the sorority had a Study-A-Thon, more than $700 was raised for the scholarship fund and the American Cancer Society in April.
This time, sorority members haven’t yet selected a charity, but plan on supporting a local organization.
“We are hoping to piggyback off of last year, and people will be ready for their finals,” said interior design junior Shalene Amankrah, the sorority president. “A lot of people are having issues this semester. They think it is going by too fast, so they need the time to study.
“Midterms just ended so people are getting their notes ready.”
The sorority has been at MSU for 40 years and has 21 active members. It participates in blood drives, voter registration, scholarships and Study-A-Thons.
“Study-A-Thon is geared for a scholarship,” said public relations senior Dinita Mack. “We are trying to encourage MSU students to come out and study and understand that your main goal, while you are here, is focus on your studies.”
The scholarships are available to students who compete in the sorority’s essay writing contest. Two scholarship winners receive $350 to aid in school-related expenses during the spring semester.
“The scholarship essay is to focus on the attacks that happened on Sept. 11,” said nursing junior Dejuana Meekins, who is scholarship chairwoman. “It is to promote our educational development program.”
The scholarship is open to non-greek students as well. Contact Meekins at dstee13@msu.edu for more information or an application for the scholarship.
