Meghan Quinn was one of two student selected to speak at the 2024 FSPAC Dinner. Below is her speech.
Good evening. Thank you all for coming to the Fraternity and Sorority Political Action Committee Congressional Dinner tonight.
My name is Meghan Quinn, and I am a fourth-year student at the Pennsylvania State University. I am incredibly excited to stand in front of you this evening as a proud member of Kappa Alpha Theta.
When I first arrived at Penn State, I knew I wanted to join a Panhellenic chapter and go through the recruitment process as soon as possible. When I joined the Beta Phi chapter of Kappa Alpha Theta, I knew I would have opportunities, leadership experiences, and friendships that would positively impact me for the rest of my life. Over the past four years at Penn State, I have served two terms on the Panhellenic Executive Council as the Vice President for Philanthropy and Vice President for Recruitment and on multiple chair and committee member positions.
Greek membership and leadership inspire me to grow, empower, and strengthen individuals with whom I can connect and form relationships. I am equally motivated by my sisters and peers, who promote dedication, discipline, and compassion when they lead and uplift others. These positive influences give me the confidence to amplify my voice and those whose voices aim to advocate and stand for change. Every person needs to be encouraged and inspired to use their voice and act for causes and changes close to their hearts like we are all doing today.
At Penn State, I am a scholar in The Schreyer Honors College, and I am currently combining their mission and my interests to complete an Honors Thesis. My Theta sisters within my chapter, the sisters I met around the United States and Canada, and my Panhellenic involvement inspired me to write my thesis on the positives and benefits of joining a Greek-lettered organization. These positive membership and developmental experiences, such as community engagement, social interactions, and peer relationships, are often neglected and ignored. I aim to highlight positive and under-researched areas of Greek-lettered organizations and communities.
At many campuses, administration and community officials overlook and diminish Greek life chapters, especially single-sex organizations. To be an effective leader in my chapter, Panhellenic, Fraternity and Sorority Life, and Penn State communities, I must advocate for and protect the voices of those I serve. Every member deserves to be seen, heard, understood, and valued in their campus and membership experiences, especially when a change is needed.
In February, I had the opportunity to travel to Chicago, Illinois, for the First Amendment
Institute on behalf of Kappa Alpha Theta. Over the weekend, attendees met with fraternity and sorority leaders and professionals, industry experts, and legal and advocacy experts to learn and collaborate on advocating for freedom of association within our communities and respective campuses in dynamic ways.
Specifically, deepening my understanding of freedom of association proves incredibly valuable in ensuring these rights are protected and not jeopardized. I know the immense value Greek membership gave me, and I want to advance and preserve positive and evolving Greek membership, experiences, and opportunities for all. I am incredibly excited and honored to serve on the Fraternity and Sorority Political Action Committee’s student advisory board and raise money for candidates who advocate for and support freedom of association.
By leveraging our impact not only as individuals or local chapters but on national and international levels through positive legislative changes, we will continue to develop and evolve together. We will strengthen our sisterhood and brotherhood, offer more developmental opportunities and experiences, and preserve Greek life membership for future generations.
Thank you to the members of Kappa Alpha Theta who generously donated to the Fraternity and Sorority Political Action Committee. This gives me the opportunity to stand before you today and discuss why we need to collectively fight for our freedom of association at the local, state, and federal levels.
Meghan Quinn is a member of Kappa Alpha Theta and a senior at Pennsylvania State University.
