Hi everyone! My name is Porter Johnson and I am a junior majoring in Sociology from Memphis, Tennessee. This past year I was able to serve our chapter as Internal Philanthropy Chair, and I am beyond honored to move into this next year as President. I want to take this opportunity to share with you all what Clemson Tri Delta has meant to me over these past three years.

My journey began at the beginning of my freshman year at Clemson where I pretty much knew no one. Coming from an all-girls school where I had spent the last fifteen years, I knew I wanted to join a sorority which I assumed would be of a similar welcoming and home-like environment. Therefore, I began sorority recruitment, and I can honestly say that I was impressed by every single chapter. Each of them embody incredible values and are made up of talented and driven women, but I ultimately found my perfect home in Tri Delta. What made my decision wasn’t necessarily the people I talked to, the videos that were played, or what the girls talked about, but it was the love and respect each of the members had for one another. It was a place that I felt I was not only going to be accepted despite my flaws, but loved for them. A place where I could be appreciated on my good days, and inspired at my low points. A place where I feel completely supported, allowing me to challenge myself.

Yes, I found this to be true during recruitment, but I have also felt this support and acceptance every single day since joining Tri Delta. Every single member of our chapter has made me feel loved and at-home on my best and worst days, and I have found friends that have truly become my family. However, the aspect of this chapter that I am most surprised by on a daily basis is how much it inspires and pushes me. Being surrounded by around 250 involved, passionate, intelligent, and driven women encourages you daily to do something outside of your comfort zone. Never before joining Tri Delta did I foresee myself becoming a Philanthropy Chair, much less President, but that is what being a part of this community does to you. It accepts you for who you are while also challenging you to be the leader you know you can become.

These past three years have marked some of the happiest times and largest accomplishments of my life thanks to Tri Delta. I met my person, Avery Erickson. I was able to spend a spring break with my entire pledge class, and someone named “Bobo.” I got the most amazing little sister, Leah Tompkins, who was later followed by the best grand littles (Ellis Turner and Dottie Rickenbaker). I was able to help our chapter raise over $140,000 for the children of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital this past year with Taylor Petrucci. I danced the night away at every single function. I stood alongside my best friends as Clemson won the National Championship. I was able to live with thirty of my sisters on the Tri Delta hall. I got to witness one fine marriage in the lovely Gatlinburg, Tennessee with my pledge class. I got to watch two of my closest friends (soon to be three) see the world. But, all of these memories are just scratching the surface, and I cannot wait to see what 2020 holds for us all. With that said, thank you Clemson Tri Delta and all of its members for a lifetime of memories and love.

Delta Love and Mine,

Porter, your new sister pres :)