Meet the Roehl Family, Quadruple Legacies with Alpha Sigma Tau

By Alumna and Guest Writer Callie France Sterling, Upsilon (University of Central Arkansas)

The bonds between the Roehl sisters of the Upsilon Chapter are noteworthy and unique. Olivia, Sophie, and Amelia Roehl are no longer solely biological sisters; they are now all Sisters in Alpha Sigma Tau as well.

“Choosing Alpha Sigma Tau was easy for me because I saw how much Olivia loved it,” says Sophie, member of the fall 2013 Upsilon new member class.

However, these three sisters are not the only Alpha Sigma Tau women in the Roehl family. The passion for the Sorority runs deep within their roots. Their mother, Nancy Hess Roehl, is an Alpha Sigma Tau from the Beta Chapter at Central Michigan University.

“I became a member of Alpha Sigma Tau in the fall of 1983,” recalls Nancy. “I am excited that my girls are getting the opportunity to experience Greek life. I am also excited that they share the Sisterhood of Alpha Sigma Tau with me.”

Her daughters’ experience at the University of Central Arkansas reminds Nancy of her own collegiate experience in Michigan. “I still keep up with my Sisters from 32 years ago,” says Nancy, talking about the lifelong bonds she has personally made through the Sorority.

One key way that Alpha Sigma Tau that intrigued the Roehl sisters was that the Sorority was centered around their own personal values, including that of faith and family.

“University of Central Arkansas’ campus reminds me of my own college experience at Central Michigan,” says Nancy. The campus is inviting and not too far from home. The girls’ bond extends to their two brothers, one older and one younger. Their proximity allows them to visit their brothers often.”

“I chose the Upsilon Chapter of Alpha Sigma Tau because I saw that those women were classy and had good morals,” recalls Olivia, part of the spring 2013 Upsilon new member class. “Another major factor in my decision was that I noticed that Alpha Sigma Tau at UCA was centered around the same values that I practice through my faith. For us Roehl girls, faith is extremely important. We came from a family that has strong faith.”

Although Amelia Roehl was influenced by her older sisters to choose Alpha Sigma Tau, her final decision was based off of something more.

“I was initially interested in Alpha  Sigma Tau because I am a quadruple legacy,” says Amelia, member of the fall 2015 Upsilon new member class. “Once I got to know more about the women of Alpha Sigma Tau, I knew that this was the Sorority for me, regardless of being a legacy. I found my home away from home in Alpha Sigma Tau.”

The Alpha Sigma Tau experience is slightly different for each of the Roehl sisters.

“It is beyond rewarding having Olivia to look up to you in the room, but equally as rewarding getting to watch Amelia grow as a young woman in the Sorority,” says Sophie. “It is such a neat experience never having to be an active member without either Amelia or Olivia in the Sorority with me. I am so blessed to always have my sisters to experience life with.”

Although similar in many ways, the Roehl sisters are unique and want to be known for individual strengths and characteristics.

“Amelia and Sophie are my very best friends,” says Olivia. “They are both so different though, we are all very different in many ways. I like to think that our personalities exemplify the diversity of Alpha Sigma Tau. I am incredibly grateful that we as sisters get to experience the unique Sisterhood of Alpha Sigma Tau together.”

Photo credit: Callie France Sterling, Sterling Imageworks (North Little Rock, Arkansas)