GREEK DIGEST

RECRUITMENTthe

issue

INSIDE Mix it up: Mixer ideas from across the nation p. 6

Feature: Sisterhood: Leaving one home HUK�ÄUKPUN�HUV[OLY�on p.10

FOR GREEKS BY GREEKS

Publisher & Creator: Courtney Wham

Layout & Design: Connie Phuwww.cargocollective.com/conniephu

GREEK DIGEST | AUGUST 2013

3GREEK DIGEST

CONTENTSAUGUST 2013

Not the Typical Frat Rat

Advice: Recruitment Tips

Sisterhood: Leaving one home and ÄUKPUN�HUV[OLY

Greek God of the Month

About the publisher & Submissions

Greek Goddess of the Month

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Mix it up

6

4 AUGUST 2013

Owner name: Oscar Mattsson

University: !e University of Pennsylvania

Chapter: St. Anthony Hall

Pet Name: Bentley Lippincott

Pet’s nicknames from fraternity brothers: Bentley

Pet Age: 13

Pet Breed: He is a Beagle, but I think a Basset Hound snuck in there

How did you get the pet? I adopted him from the pound when I was in 7th grade

Does the pet have to follow any speci!c rules? Not really, he’s given a lot of behavioral latitude.

Has the pet picked up any bad habits while living in the house? Not really, he’s too old and slow to actually pull any sort of hijinks.

What are the pet’s hobbies? Moving at a glacial pace, being carried up AND downstairs, sni"ng things, sleeping in #elds, sunbathing.

Does the pet dislike any of your brothers? If so, why? He’s a fairly indi$erent creature. I think having a beef with one of the brothers would require more energy than he’s willing to expend.

NOT THE TYPICAL FRAT RAT

THE PETS SECTION

5GREEK DIGEST

...when I came back I found Bentley on his side moaning. I was really concerned until I then noticed that the remains of the dog food bag were all over the room... all I know is that was most likely his happiest day.

Does the pet have any other animal friends in the house or area? !ey’re a few mice that he seems to get along with quite well.

What is the pet’s favorite food (human food)? Every food is Bentley’s favorite.

What does a typical day look like for your pet? A typical day for Bentley is waking up between 10-11am, hanging out in our yard in search of the best sunny areas to sunbathe until a bit a%er noon. He will greet brothers around the house for most of the day. Around 4pm he might bug me to carry him upstairs (I live on the 3rd &oor) so he can sleep in his thrown-like bed. Around

5pm he’ll wakeup and have his dinner, then hang with the brothers some more before watching a movie with us and invariably fall asleep again.

What is your favorite memory of your pet in the fraternity house? I keep Bentley’s dog food bag high-up on a shelf. One day I went to class, and when I came back I found Bentley on his side moaning. I was really concerned until I then noticed that the remains of the dog food bag were all over the room. It was a 9-pound bag (he weighs 20 pounds) so it makes sense that he resembled a blimp. I to this day have no idea how he did it, all I know is that was most likely his happiest day.

6 AUGUST 2013

MIX IT UP

THE IDEAS SECTION

Mixer ideas from across the nation.

DERBY DAYSCreate a classy, southern evening at the races where guests can race mice in balls on a track and win Southern Proper and Vineyard Vines gear. Ask ladies to wear sundresses and sunhats and have the gentlemen wear pastels.

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PAINT PARTYCover the house in tarp to protect the furniture and walls, and then #ll squirt guns with paint. Invite your guests over and have them wear white to get splattered with color!

LUMBERJACK BALL Decorate your house with pine trees (easiest to do before Christmas) and have everyone to wear &annel shirts. Men can even grow out the scru$.

MY TIE MIXER Each fraternity member places a tie in a common bag, and the bag is delivered to the sorority house. Each sorority member must select a tie and show up to the mixer to #nd her date based on the tie she has selected.

TOWER OF POWER Guests must complete certain challenges to move to the next level of the house.

FRATERNITY FARMDecorate the house like a farm, complete with hay barrels, John Deere, and country music. Ask guests to come dressed in their favorite overalls and straw hats. Farm animals / petting zoo recommended but not required.

INTO THE JUNGLEBorrow or purchase a myriad of plants to place around the house. A rope swing and tropical beverages and food are a nice addition.

8 AUGUST 2013

Jerome CastillonColorado State UniversityPhi Gamma Delta

“When choosing a brotherhood to be a part of, know that the men in that organization will be the best men at your wedding and the pallbearers at your funeral. Choose your house wisely because the values the fraternity is built on will shape who you become in society.”

Mayanka Kumar Wellesley CollegeAlpha Phi Sigma

“Really try to remember the members, their interests and things going on in their life. It shows that you care and that you're excited to get to know them which makes them want to get to know you better.”

Jackie Plowshay Villanova UniversityDelta Delta Delta

“My best advice is to ignore the stereotypes of all the sororities. Going into rounds with an open mind about all the di$erent chapters will really help in choosing the chapter that's best for you and not just which one is cool.”

Jay BacaUniversity of Colorado Zeta Beta Tau

“Find people that you relate to. Ask yourself, ‘are these guys someone I would go to the other side of the world for, or more immediately call for advice or share a burgeoning sadness?’ You'll know when you #nd a place you belong. Just make sure to go into it with an open mind and a knowledge of what you want.”

Whitney Pond, University of Colorado, Kappa Kappa Gamma

"A lot of potential new members become overwhelmed and nervous during recruitment. Just remember that the people you meet in each house are just as nervous to meet you!"

RECRUITMENT TIPSADVICE

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cont’d p. 10

The #rst weeks of college are daunting, and throwing sorority recruitment into the mix is a bit overwhelming. While simply #nding the way to class or maneuvering through

the dining hall on a daily basis seemed like enough to handle, I signed up for sorority recruitment for the typical reason of “just wanting to meet people.” Little did I know, that the world that awaited me was so much more than what I had seen in Legally Blonde: !e Musical.

As the freshman that appeared on the front of the city newspaper on the #rst day of college under the caption, “Lost freshman tries to #nd way to class,” (yes, that did really happen), I was not excited to spend long days making small talk with sorority girls. In high school, I

was the student body president and partied twice. Yes, twice, in a span of four years. It just wasn’t my thing. On top of all of this, I had a traumatic experience at Summer Camp in #%h grade that le% me with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and an abnormal fear of spending the night away from home. As a result, I have a therapy cat that helps with my anxiety. As you can imagine, college was a bit of a nightmare. I spent the #rst couple of months commuting to and from my home about forty-#ve minutes from campus. Needless to say, I did not quite #t the “sorority-girl” stereotype.

During recruitment, I “trusted the system,” for lack of a better phrase. I had no idea which house I wanted to join, or even if I wanted to join a sorority at all. I was so nervous before the #rst meetings that I had my

LEAVING ONE HOME

AND FINDING ANOTHER

THE TRUTH ABOUT GREEK LIFE

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11GREEK DIGEST

mom come up and eat dinner with me to calm me down. However, I made it through, and at the end of the week, I found myself as a new member of Kappa Kappa Gamma.

Following recruitment, it took me a couple of weeks to really immerse myself in the sorority life. I didn’t know many girls, but I knew that I belonged there. A few months into my Greek Odyssey, I made a speech in student government about how I had struggled with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. My sorority sisters got wind of this, and following my speech, close to 150 of my sorority sisters stood up behind me. Never in my life have I ever felt so supported. Tears streamed down my face because for the #rst time since I had ‘le%’ my home to go to college, I did not feel alone.However, it wasn’t until I decided to move out of the dorms and into my sorority house that I experienced the true meaning of sisterhood. Sisterhood is the 5-gallon ice-cream eating contest that we had one night a%er dinner; it’s watching School of Rock on Saturday nights at the chapter house; it’s moving into the sorority house with my therapy cat, Petals; and it’s not commuting every day to and from school because now, I am home.

I feel that it is my duty to share my story and reveal the reality of Greek life. It is not just about partying as the stereotypes may suggest; it is about #nding 250 sisters that expect the best of you and want the best for you. It's about leaving one home and #nding another.

Little did I know, that the world that awaited me was so much more than what I had seen in Legally Blonde: The Musical.

from p. 9

12 AUGUST 2013

Year in school: Senior

Major: International Economics and International A$airs

What is your favorite Greek memory? !e #rst time I sang “Build Me Up Buttercup,” to all the sororities.

What lessons and values will you take with you that you acquired in Greek life? I learned to take every opportunity to expand my experiences, mind and comfort zone. During my college career I have relied on my brothers to help overcome many of my personal fears and to help fuel

my drive so that I could accomplish all of my goals. I learned the values of being honest, outgoing and always remembering those whom have helped along the way.

What is your favorite mixer, date dash, or formal theme? I’ve enjoyed them all equally; each event was unique and an intrinsically valuable experience that could not be ranked.

What activities are you involved in outside of Greek life? I volunteer for disadvantaged teens every !ursday evening; work at a multicultural education center and

JAYLEN D. BACA

GREEK GOD OF THE MONTH

University of Colorado at Boulder | Zeta Beta Tau, Beta Alpha Theta Chapter

BACA cont’d p. 14

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Year in school: Graduate 2016

Major: Journalism

What is your favorite Greek memory? My favorite Greek memory was Bid Day. I remember just #nding out that I was going to be a part of Kappa Alpha !eta and I felt so accomplished. I walked over to where my new pledge class was and met some amazing friends that I know I will have for the rest of my life. We all took a bus to our house and were bombarded with cheers and smiles from our new sisters. It was the greatest feeling in the world and I was so excited to be a part of something new.

What lessons and values will you take with you that you acquired in Greek life? Greek life has taught me the importance of giving back to the community through the various community activities we have done together as well as being a classy young women that represents her peers and her school well.

What is your favorite mixer, date dash, or formal theme? My favorite mixer of my freshman year was our very #rst date night. !e theme, “Bleeding Red and Black” required everyone to go all out in Georgia apparel. I felt very proud wearing my brand new school colors and felt

CALLAN BECHTER

GREEK GODDESS OF THE MONTH

University of Georgia | Kappa Alpha Theta, Gamma Delta Chapter

BECHTER cont’d p. 14

14 AUGUST 2013

part of something seeing everyone else represent UGA as well.

What activities are you involved in outside of Greek life? I was a mentor to a #rst grade child. I went to her grade school once a week and we played games, read books, colored, and worked on homework. It was such an amazing experience and I am going to continue working with my mentee for the rest of college.

What are your plans for a"er college? I plan on moving to Atlanta for a few years and interning at CNN to pursue my career as a journalist. I hope to one day get married and have kids and move back to my hometown Denver, Colorado.

What advice would you give to underclassmen? I would inspire underclassmen to get involved with their school as much as possible. Go to as many sporting events, meetings, and clubs as possible. College is the time to #nd out who you are and what you are truly interested in.

What is your favorite activity to do with your brothers/sisters? My favorite activity to do with my sister are “sisterhood events”. One time my entire sorority went to a gym and had a private yoga class.

If you were to be a Greek God or Goddess, which would you be and why? I would be Athena, the goddess of wisdom, courage, and inspiration. Athena represents me because I believe courage is one of the most important things in life. I try to not be afraid of taking chances or trying new things in life. Courage is what helped me to decide to go to school so far away from my Colorado home. It allowed me to not be afraid to meet new people and try new experiences.

FAVORITESMovie: Ferris Bueller’s Day O$Food: Sushi Band: Zac Brown Band Animal: Leopard

intern for a United States Senator. I am also a member of multiple student organizations as well as an honors non-Greek fraternity.

What are your plans for a"er college? Moving to Washington, D.C. and pursuing a career in public sector consulting.

What advice would you give to underclassmen?Focus on how you can develop yourself. College will push and challenge you in ways that you cannot even begin to imagine (if it does not, you need to #nd more ways of getting involved). Obviously school is important, but the skills you learn through interacting and working with the students around you will be just as valuable in the long run. Additionally, do not under estimate the value of a party. You never know whom you might meet. Some people may disagree with this aspect, however I know that most of the opportunities I have received have largely been due to connections made with someone at an event or party.

What is your favorite activity to do with your brothers/sisters?I will be the #rst to admit I enjoy a good time out with my brothers, but I have to say my favorite activity is de#nitely just going on random trips and adventures. Nothing compares with getting to know your brothers in closer way. Besides who doesn’t like all the crazy stories that come along with getting into a bit of trouble.

If you were to be a Greek God or Goddess, which would you be and why?Of all the ancient Greek Gods/Goddesses I would be Apollo. Most people know Apollo as the god of light, but he is also the god of knowledge, as well as healing, plague, darkness and enlightenment. I believe, he is one of the gods that best represents what it means to be human. Apollo Controls all of the externalities that we as individuals and societies struggle with everyday. His ability to conquer these attributes helps us to see how we too can over come our many faults. In the long run we hope the light outshines the darkness and that our best feats will be remembered over our mistakes. !is is why if I could be a God I would be Apollo. To be able to unlock the knowledge of that control would be astonishing. I’ll leave Zeus to someone else.

FAVORITESMovie: !e Great Gatsby/ Crazy Stupid LoveFood: Mexican FoodBand (Artist): UsherAnimal: Blue Whale

BACA from p. 12 BECHTER from p. 13

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Coco Wham is a sophomore at the University of Colorado at Boulder where she is a member of the Beta Mu Chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma. She serves on the student government’s legislative council and is on her sorority’s Standards Committee. When she is not at school, she is busy working as an Emergency Medical Technician and plans to attend medical school to become a trauma surgeon. Coco’s passion for Greek life and love for her sisters inspired her to create GREEK DIGEST to share her experiences with Greek life and excitement for the brotherhood and the sisterhood of fraternities and sororities across the nation.

Want to submit a story to our September Issue? E-mail us your stories and pictures at greekdigestusa@gmail.com

We are looking for the following submissions:Fraternity or Sorority Pet of the MonthGreek God and Goddess of the Month (please nominate any member of your chapter that has gone above and beyond the expectations of the chapter for his or her fellow members).!e Odyssey of the Month (Event of the Month – date dashes, mixers, formals, philanthropies, etc). Your ideas and pictures of mixers, date dashes, formals, philanthropies, etc.

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