Sometimes, women go to college not even considering joining a sorority or even know what they are. These women happen upon sororities and find themselves as dedicated members, not only in college, but in their post-grad lives as well. Debbie Padon, 2025-2026 Recruitment Roundtable Co-Chair, started college not know about sororities but now serves in offer positions and actively participates in alumnae events.
Debbie started attending University of Houston in the Spring of 1980 with a major in Corporate Communications with a minor in Radio/TV/Film. University of Houston (UH) holds their primary recruitment in the Fall semester, meaning that when Debbie started in the Spring, she “did not know about sororities until the next year.” In that next year, Spring 1981, while living in Moody Towers, Debbie was able to meet many women that were members of sororities in her dorm and decided to “give it a try!” That semester, Debbie pledged Alpha Chi Omega with 7 other women.
When talking about why she chose Alpha Chi Omega, she states:
“…Alpha Chi Omega was where I felt at home! I followed my heart, and it led me to AXO and loved it from the start!”
Debbie did not have women in her family that were members of sororities while in college, so finding her home in AChiO was an unfamiliar, but exciting, experience. Not long after pledging, Debbie received her big that helped her with the transition to sorority life, Jacque Brown. Bigs, also known as “big sisters” help aid new members with the transition from PNM to an active sorority member, guiding the new member through processes and history of the organization. When reflecting back on her time as an active member, Debbie points out one particular event:
“My favorite memory was attending the annual Allegro Ball with my boyfriend at a local hotel ballroom for a formal dinner and dancing! So fun!!”
After graduation, Debbie joined the Houston Alumnae Group, Beta Zeta Beta, which is the Alpha Chi Omega Houston Alumnae Association. This group hosts monthly meetings, social events, and connects local sorority alumnae with each other and their beloved organization. Debbie has made “so many new friends” in the local alumnae group and mentions that most of these women “graduated from schools all over the country!” She also is active in HAPA, serving as the delegate for Beta Zeta Beta, Social Chair, and Recruitment Roundtable Co-Vice Chair, and now, in 2025-2026, the Recruitment Roundtable Co-Chair. Due to her work for her alumnae group, Debbie Padon received an award in 2023 from Alpha Chi Omega: the Lee Heinen Award for Outstanding Alumnae Member of the Year.
When looking back to her time as an active member and how it has led her to what she’s doing today, she has the following advice for women considering joining a sorority:
“…have fun going through the process of recruitment but always follow their heart before making the final decision. The best experience of sorority life during your college years should be with the right sorority and don't follow what your friends pledge.”
Finding where you belong is about you and where you see yourself. Every sorority has many opportunities for each new member that joins their sisterhood. Sometimes, women will know where they belong during the first round of recruitment, and some may take until the last round; either way, follow your heart to find your next home away from home, just as Debbie did, and you may be the next outstanding alumnae award recipient.
Written by Robyn Daiss, Publicity Chair (2023-2026) on February 21, 2026 for use by the Houston Alumnae Panhellenic Association and their website.
