Chapter updates - Ohio Theta

Dave Wenzel sent this update on Ohio Theta

Attached is the chapter's newsletter that highlights their $8,000 infundraising and 2,000 hours of community service the undergrads didthis spring. Also, here are a few links of press coverage the chapterhas gotten over the past spring quarter.

-Greek week
-SigEp and greek week president profile
-three Vlogs about SigEp @ UC
-Step show
-Senior gets UC recognition as top student

Fraternally,
Dave Wenzel
Ohio Theta '06

Stomp Meets Drumline: MI Theta Steps It Up for Song & Skit

Greek Week at Lawrence Technological University was April 13th through 19th. Catch the Song & Skit highlight from the men of Michigan Theta.

E. Illinois Leads Campus

Thanks to Chuck Eberly for this release:

4/18/2008
At the recent Greek Awards Banquet the Illinois Nu Chapter at Eastern Illinois University won numerous individual and chapter awards. The 100 man chapter, in its 16th year since chartering in 1992, has initiated more than 600 men.

SigEp received the Centennial Scholarship Trophy for top fraternity grades for the tenth time in twelve years. The chapter also received a Five Star Award for excellence in all areas of chapter operation (Chapter Operations, Recruitment, Membership Development, Social Programming, and Community Service).

Since all areas of chapter operation exceeded the 80 percent level of proficiency for the Five Star Award, the chapter also received the EIU President's Award for Fraternal Excellence from Dr. William Perry, EIU President. The chapter has received the President's Award two out of the last three years.

Jimmy Friesema, '08, past chapter president, was honored as the 2008 Outstanding Greek Man for his service to the chapter, community, and campus. He was particularly recognized for his educational programming on what it means to be a man, Man, Who are you? Friesema presented an all-campus educational for fraternity chapters on March 27, 2008.

T. J. Tebbe, '08, received the EIU Dr. Charles and Mrs. Sharon Eberly Essence of Greek Values Award for his military service in Iraq. He was also recognized as the Greek Week King, and one of the Top ten Greek Men. There are fourteen IFC and three NPHC men's chapters sheltered at Eastern Illinois.

Levi Bulgar, '09, was also recognized among the Top Ten Greek Men for his service to the campus and community in student government. Later the same evening it was announced that Bulgar was designated President-elect of the Student Body for the 2008-2009 year. Bulgar, an immigrant from Romania, was the subject of an article in the spring 2008 Sigma Phi Epsilon Journal (p. 45) for his efforts to register students to vote in the upcoming U. S. presidential elections.

Adam Gartner, '10, received two Charles "Tight" Carter Awards, one for scholarship with a 3.72 accumulative GPA, and one for Athletics. Gartner was named to the All-Midwest Regional Team by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America in December 2007.

Mike Nowak, '08, was honored for his continuing service to the fraternity / sorority community as a Greek Peer Advisor for the 2007-2008 year. Nowak, a two-year president of IFC, has presented on Values Congruence to NIC Academies in Chicago, Illinois and Charlotte, North Carolina.

Order of the Golden Heart recipient Dr. Charles G. Eberly, Bowling Green State '63, received the Dr. James Price Award for the Outstanding Fraternity Chapter Advisor of the year.

For the third consecutive year, the Illinois Nu Chapter won Greek Sing. The chapter has won Greek Sing 13 of the last 16 years. Including Greek Sing, the chapter won first place in four of seven Greek Week competitions: Big Men's Tugs, Pyramids, and Collegiate Bowl. This was the first time that a Sig Ep Tugs Team has reached the finals of the tugs competition let alone winning the event. As a result, the chapter repeated as winners of the Greek Week competition. The chapter's participation in Greek Week was dedicated to Brother Jesse Mounce, who died unexpectedly on February 8, 2008.

Sororities tackle 'idiots'

Part of "Greek Week" at George Washington University was a presentation by TJ Sullivan of CampusSpeak, an organization that represents college speakers.

Media Credit: Viktors Dindzans

About 350 Greek-letter members attended a presentation on "Confronting the Idiot in Your Chapter," by TJ Sullivan Saturday night. The event, sponsored by Alpha Delta Pi, was part of an annual Greek Week.

"By a round of applause, how many of you have an idiot in their chapter?" motivational speaker TJ Sullivan asked Saturday night to a crowd of about 350 GW fraternity and sorority members at Marvin Center Grand Ballroom.

The response was loud.

Sullivan's presentation, "Confronting the Idiot in Your Chapter," sponsored by Alpha Delta Pi as part of Greek Week, dealt with recognizing and responding to problematic or "idiot" behavior within Greek-letter chapters.

"I've been in Greek life for 20 years. I love being a Greek," said Sullivan, a founding father of the Indiana University chapter of Pi Kappa Phi. "But there's two things I don't like - that we put up with behavior from our members that we wouldn't put up with from other people and that we don't have a problem with a brother's or sister's behavior until it affects the reputation of our chapter."

Sororities tackle 'idiots' - News

Greek Week's positive influence

Greek Week at Drexel has just finished up. Lots of fun and some good philanthropy were had by all...

...For two weeks, 10 organizations in the Interfraternal Council, eight in Bi-Cultural, and five in Panhellenic rise up from the central core of Drexel University to compete in Greek Week, arguably the most anticipated event of the year. More importantly, they have the opportunity to become the supreme rulers in their respective communities. In some aspects, it seemed as if Drexel's campus was filled with several Olympians during Greek Week.
[...]
I thought this year's stroll was without question the best I have seen since I've been at Drexel. Delta Zeta's first-place basketball-themed performance was quite clever, as their stroll was reminiscent of some of the earlier Nike commercials. Sigma Psi Zeta's stroll was well coordinated and fascinating.

However, Sigma Phi Epsilon had the best presentation of the night. With their stylish moves and flips, they made N-Sync look like little amateur boys.

Greek Week, however, isn't solely about competition. As a matter of fact, Greeks put just as much of an emphasis on team work and community service, if not more. Every year, there is a blood drive, a charity pasta dinner, the Pipino Run, a can and clothing drive.
[...]
As a member of Greek Life, I may be a bit biased when it comes to fraternities and sororities; but that's why I am writing this as a commentary as opposed to a news story. Regardless, I don't think people always see the positive things that Greeks do for Drexel. You commonly hear about the negative stereotypes fraternities have, but on our campus, I think that our Greek Life takes the words "community" and "leadership" to a higher level.

We don't have philanthropic and charity events because it is our obligation as fraternities and sororities - we do it because we want to help better the community and set a good example for the rest of campus. I think that that Greek Life certainly made a positive impact at our University over these past two weeks.

Greek Week's positive influence - Ed-Op

San Diego Sig Eps Clean Up at Greek Awards Ceremony

Chapters receive recognition during Unity Night on Monday

Greek Weeks 2007 came to a close on Monday after Unity Night was held in Montezuma Hall.Sororities, fraternities and some individual Greek members received academic awards and this year's outstanding Greeks were recognized as well.

The Greek Man of the Year awards went to Tim Velasquez and David Judge; and Greek Woman of the Year went to Amanda Venegas, Anna Nguyen and Brittany Abrams.

Greek New Member of the Year awards went to Spencer Neft, Kimberly Guzman and Alicia Gomez, the latter of whom is a psychology major who also won an award for most improved grade-point average.

Awards for Chapter President of the Year went to Justin Motika, Kimi Marshall, Denishia Clark and Beckie Cecil.

Sigma Phi Epsilon nearly cleaned up all of the Inter-Fraternity Council awards. Sigma Phi Epsilon received the highest chapter GPA, highest initiate GPA and the highest new member GPA awards. Sigma Alpha Mu received the most improved chapter GPA award.

Individual IFC awards went to Jonathan Tucker from Sigma Phi Epsilon for the highest SDSU GPA and Sean Olah from Zeta Beta Tau for the most improved GPA.

"Everyone here tonight should be proud of the accomplishments that these students are being recognized for," said Kim Stokely, the assistant coordinator for fraternity and sorority life, to the audience. "Because it is the combination of intelligent and dedicated students, thoughtful faculty and staff and encouraging friends and families that make those accomplishments possible."At the end of the evening, Mama's Kitchen, the philanthropy for Greek Week, received a check for
$20,000.

Stollman Challenges Greeks to Know Their Values

Speaker inspires Greek future on campus
Meghan Foley

A cell phone ring began speaker David Stollman's challenge to Keene State College Greek Life organizations to remember their values and standards, and break the stereotypes.

"You earn your letters when you're allowed to wear them … by living up to what they mean," said Stollman to at least 84 Greek Life members gathered in the Mountain View Room of the Young Student Center Monday night.

As Stollman presented his interactive lecture, "Buy In or Get Out," excitement and energy became as bright as the colored T-shirts identifying each organization in attendance for the Greek Week event.

"He talked to a lot of people's hearts and made a lot of people cry," said senior Caitlin Ball, a member of Phi Sigma Sigma.

Stollman, who is with Campus Speak, stated the importance of organizations staying true to leading and serving.

One part of leading meant leading in the classroom, while another meant serving, he said.

"This is our true tradition. This is what our organizations are about. This is what all Greeks are about," he said. "We all swear ourselves to the same basic values."

He challenged those who didn't want to adhere to an organization's true traditions to leave it.

"For those of you who don't want to, I hope you leave," he said.

According to Stollman, an alumnus of Sigma Phi Epsilon, Greeks understood the difference between brotherhood and friendship, and sisterhood and friendship.

"Friends say what we want to hear. Sisters, brothers say things you need to here," he said.

Stollman also addressed the stereotypes associated with Greek Life.

"The rest of the world sees your letters and they don't know they are different, and they don't care," he said regarding organizations that promote the stereotype. He added the world thought the stereotype was fine because Greek organizations tolerated it.

"Are we perpetuating or breaking the stereotypes?" he asked repeatedly throughout his speech.

Besides looking at how Greeks were viewed by others, Stollman said members needed "to start thinking about the things [they] were doing."

"The more we perpetuate [the stereotype] the more problems we have," he said.

Hazing is one of those stereotype supports.Anyone who believed in hazing never understood that concept to begin with, said Stollman.

"Chapters that haze the most don't understand it doesn't work," he said. Stollman, advisor to the Alpha Sigma Tau sorority at New York University, also relied on his experiences to enforce what he was saying.

"Him having a personal experience made his speech that more eye opening," said Greek Life Assistant Cory Anderson.

According to Anderson, a member of the Sigma Lambda Chi fraternity, several KSC Greek leaders went to Pittsburg, Penn. for the Northeast Greek Leadership Association conference, and heard Stollman speak along with many others. They then asked him to attend Greek Week and give his speech, said Anderson.

"His speech is a good reminder of why we originally joined our respective organizations and to awaken members of the organization that have not realized their responsibilities," he said in an e-mail following the event.

"It was just as good the second time around," said senior Teddy Byrne, vice president of the Interfraternity Council and a member of Delta Nu Psi.

"He makes your want to improve your organization internally and turn it around."

Stollman ended his presentation with five things he wanted Greek organizations to do as a way to reach their potential.

Those objectives included
• watching out for other members interests,
• showing an organization's true values when recruiting,
• holding members accountable for their actions,
• seeking opportunities to break stereotypes,
• and challenging members not meeting the organization's standards and values.

"The entire organizations future rests in your hands," he said.

Michigan Theta Takes Greek Day Honors

We got this note and picture from Sam Moschelli (DG - District 14):

"Just wanted to share a point of pride from over the weekend. My boys were victorious in Greek Day this year for the first time since 1997."

IIT Greeks Celebrate Community through Competition

Greek Week – A Celebration of Siblinghood
by Sarah Stone

The intent of the week of Greek games, known as Greek Week, is to foster a sense of community, togetherness, and competition between the Greek organizations on campus. Each of the nine chapters participating in the games draw together teams of members to compete in events such as skit, bat spin, egg toss, and leg tunnel. The events take place during the afternoon and evening, both on the Quad and other places around campus. Events, such as can castle, help the philanthropic causes of the chapters by collecting can goods for Chicago Food Depository. Overall, Greek Week turned out fantastically for all chapters involved this year. Each chapter had its strong events and added to the overall strengthening of relationships between the chapters.

The week started out with the skits. Many chapters utilized this event to showcase their theme and use their members in creative ways. Kappa Phi Delta innovatively showcased Rocky Horror Picture Show, while Sigma Phi Epsilon reenacted Revenge of the Nerds. Alpha Sigma Alpha used their theme of I love the 90s to act out multiple different television shows from the era. The overall winner of the skit was Triangle fraternity, with a skit about being at a state school. Along with banner judging, Greek Week began on an exciting foot.

Day two brought out bat spin and chug, two events that can sometimes cause nauseating consequences. Phi Kappa Sigma had a great showing in these events, placing first in both. Day three originally involved two different forms of egg toss, but was postponed due to a lack of eggs. Day four brought out the strongest members of the chapters in a competition of tug of war. Sigma Phi Epsilon placed first in this event and Triangle placed second. Kappa Phi Delta sorority also had a strong showing, tying for fifth place with Phi Kappa Sigma. Bringing an end to the weekend on day five, the cart race occurred on Sunday. Sigma Phi Epsilon also placed first in this event, followed closely in second by Alpha Sigma Alpha. Kappa Phi Delta added excitement by competing with a cart found in the HUB and gave the other chapters a run for their money. Egg Toss also took place on this day, where both Phi Kappa Sigma and Sigma Phi Epsilon had strong showings.

Day six brought a new week and new events. Snarf and can castle lead to a burst of whirlwind eating and creativity in the chapters, by showcasing those who could eat the fastest and build an amazing castle out of cans. Day seven caused a lot of painful legs with the events of leg tunnel and 8-man. The top five places were very close in time for the leg tunnel event, with Sigma Phi Epsilon ultimately winning. Unfortunately, due to legal complications 8-man was cancelled, much to the dismay of the participants. This only fueled the competition more coming into the final day…the dance-off.

The dance-off originally began with the 2005 Greek Week as a mystery event. However, it was brought back this year as a dignified Greek Week event due to popular demand. Each chapter showed off its dancing skills in this event, while being judged on creativity, difficulty, and togetherness. After all chapters had danced the first round, it came down to Alpha Sigma Alpha and Sigma Phi Epsilon in the final dance-off. Ultimately, Alpha Sigma Alpha won with an amazing dance to Justin Timberlake’s My Love. Afterwards the Greek Week trophy was presented to the overall winner of Greek Week, Sigma Phi Epsilon.

Greek Week ended with excellent competition and siblinghood between the chapters. It brought the sororities and fraternities closer together and helped promote the values of each organization. If next years festivities are anything like this year, they should be more exciting than ever.

FINAL STANDINGS:
1st: Sigma Phi Epsilon, 118
2nd: Phi Kappa Sigma, 96
3rd: Triangle, 89
4th: Alpha Sigma Alpha, 81
5th: Kappa Phi Delta, 53
6th: Pi Kappa Phi, 33
7th: Zeta Pi Omega, 19
8th: Delta Tau Delta, 11

Greek Week 2007 brings unity, philanthropy - and a SigEp win

Miami (Florida) held Greek Week and SigEp was the overall men's winner.

A week-long series of events within the university's Greek community came to an end Saturday evening at the closing ceremonies of Greek Week 2007.

The events began with opening ceremonies on Feb. 24 and culminated with Olympic Day taking place on Saturday. Other events included the Greek God and Goddess competition, coin wars, a blood drive and the Jail and Bail fundraising event.

During closing ceremonies, the Greek Week executive board announced the winners of Greek Week 2007 from the second floor balcony of the Panhellenic building. The final overall champions were Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity and Delta Phi Epsilon sorority.
[...]
"Greek Week serves a dual purpose," Joe Fasullo, Greek Week co-chair, said. "Not only does it raise money for philanthropy but it also brings the community together."
[...]
"I think it's great that everything is for charity," said Nayfe Carreno, a sophomore and member of Zeta Tau Alpha sorority. "It shows a different side of the typical Greek organization stereotype."

The final event, Olympic Day, included a variety of competitive sporting events played on the intramural fields. Sorority and fraternity members alike participated in relay races, arm wrestling, tug-o-war and dodgeball.

This year, Greek Week broke records for pints of blood donated and the total amount of money raised. At the time of publication, the exact numbers had not yet been released.

Now, isn't that more fun than fighting over an SGA seat?

Greek Week 2007 brings unity, philanthropy - News