Download - All Greek Newsletter April 2015
In This Issue Member Spotlight p.1
Response to Events p.2
Response Cont. p.3
Sorority Highlights p.4
Fraternity Highlights p.5
All Greek Updates p.6
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Member Spotlight—
This month, Alex and Isabelle are highlighted for their recent involvement in coordinating chapter
philanthropy events!
Alex Polasky
Alex Polasky recently coordinated, organized and
facilitated Alpha Phi’s annual Mr. University! Alex
is a junior Exercise Science major and active
member of Alpha Phi. Alex is also very active in
other campus organizations! She is the Lead
Group X Instructor, an Ashbrook Scholar, and
ACIS Intern. She also currently serves as Alpha
Phi’s Vice President of Marketing. Within her
position, Alex described some of the highlights of
planning Mr. University in the following quote, “I
loved the positivity and excitement of the campus!
I did an interview for TV20 and WRDL. This got
not only Alpha Phi excited, but the campus as
well! I also really enjoyed working with the
contestants. They put months of hard work into
their acts.” During the events, Alpha Phi was able
to raise $1,442.00 towards women’s cardiac care.
There were over 500 people in attendance! Alex
recounts her favorite part of the event in this
quote, “My favorite part was Logan Rex’s
impromptu talent in the middle of the show. That
wasn’t planned, we just went for it and it was
hilarious and spot on!”
Isabelle Steiner
Isabelle recently planned and coordinated Theta
Phi Alpha’s first Sapphire Ball. Isabelle is
currently a sophomore biology/ pre-vet major with
a minor in Spanish. Isabelle recounts her
experience planning the Sapphire Ball in the
following quote, “My experience planning the
Sapphire Ball was definitely worth it. While it was
stressful at times, since this was our very first big
philanthropy event, I am certainly glad I did it. I
am so honored that my sisters selected me to be
their philanthropy chairman and had faith that I
could pull something like this off. I am so proud
to say that I am now very close to one of our past
national Presidents, Mary Lou Swartz, thanks to
this event, which is a friendship I will hold very
dearly for the rest of my life.” Isabelle also noted,
“While I am the chairman, I could not have done
this without the help of my committee and without
the support of my Theta Phi sisters….Thanks to
the support of this campus and our families we
were able to send over $2,000.00 to the Glenmary
Home Missioners who aid the homeless in the
poorest areas of our country and also fund
children’s camp each summer for underprivileged
children, called Camp Friendship!”
OCTOBER
2014 2015 APRIL
Ashland Greek Life Response During the month of March, an incident regarding an Oklahoma University’s Sigma Alpha Epsilon Chapter’s blatant display of racist behavior sur-
faced in the media. As an outstanding member of Ashland Greek Life, Dean Sadowski, President of Phi Delta Theta has written the following re-
sponse to this incident and other recent events which have poorly represented and tarnished the reputation of Greek Life.
Why AU Greek Life is Doing it Right
In recent months, Greek Life at colleges and universities
has received a high volume of scrutiny in the media as a result of
incidents involving excessive alcohol, hazing, and sexual misconduct.
This scrutiny is not isolated to any particular organization, campus or
state but has impacted Greek life as a whole on the national level.
Before I came to college I had heard all of the stories and seen all of
the movies that painted Greek life (and especially fraternities) as one
big party. Animal House, American Pie Beta House, Old School,
Van Wilder I had seen them all, and like many other Americans
accepted the idea that fraternities are a bunch of guys that drink beer
and chase girls. Now, after being involved in Greek Life at AU for
four years, I know that this stereotype has little validity to support it.
The negative perception of fraternities and sororities has caused
Greeks to be labeled as irresponsible undergraduates who are
focused purely on the social aspect of college. Although socialization
is one facet enjoyed by members of a Greek organization, it is far
from the only. While the media is busy harping on the incidents that
negatively portray Greek Life, the much more frequent and positive
results of Greeks go unnoticed.
Whereas the recent actions of individuals or even chapters
have indeed warranted the scrutiny of those individuals and chapters,
to negatively label the national Greek community as a whole is
extremely unfair. Although it is often portrayed otherwise, fraternities
and sororities work tediously as undergraduates to attain academic
excellence, serve philanthropic organizations and improve their
campus and surrounding communities alike. According to an article
published in the Elite Daily, over $7 million is raised by Greeks
nationally each year, 78% of Greek organizations have a higher GPA
than their all campus GPA and Greek chapters complete a collective
national average of 850,000 hours of community service each
academic year. Why do these Greek accomplishments rarely make
headlines, but hazing and drinking scandals do? For every belligerent
act that is reported by the media there are hundreds of good ones
happening that are left unheard.
Where are the chapters that are building leaders, raising
thousands for philanthropy and achieving the highest grades on their
respective campuses? These are the Greek organizations that the
country needs to hear about and base their overall interpretation off
of. Resting with these chapters is hope and success for Greek life,
and there are eight of them here at Ashland University. Four
fraternities Phi Kappa Psi, Tau Kappa Epsilon, Kappa Sigma and Phi
Delta Theta make up the stellar AU Greek community, along with
four sororities Alpha Delta Pi, Delta Zeta, Alpha Phi and Theta Phi
Alpha. Combined these eight organizations consist of 410 individuals
making up roughly 20% of the undergraduate population. Even
though each organizations creed varies and membership is unique,
each chapter strives toward the same common goals and experience
the benefits of a successful tight knit Greek community. Despite the
fact that the actions of some chapters across the nation are staining
the reputation of Greek Life, the actions of Ashland’s Greek
organizations are combatting this reputation each and every day.
(Continued on next page.)
OCTOBER
2014 2015 APRIL
Assistant Director of Student Life-Greek Life at Ashland
University Ashley Christman commented on the collective scrutiny of
Greek Life. She states “Ashland University's fraternity and sorority
chapters are values based. Although other chapters should be, I can't
attest that they (the other schools) truly live by their values like the
students in chapters at Ashland University do. I believe the values that
the men and women in our Greek Life have are seen in their actions,
every day, which allows them to succeed and stray away from the
negativity that is causing major concerns for Greek communities
across the country. We address those severe issues head on at
Ashland University.”
On a typical day Ashland Greeks can be found involved,
engaged and dedicated in every aspect of the campus community.
Fraternity and sorority members are student senators, athletes, honor
students, university employees, resident assistants and religious life
participants. Why such a high level of success? Because Greek Life
builds leaders by offering an environment and support system that
provides skills which cannot be taught in the classroom. The
structure and culture of Greek chapters allow underdeveloped young
adults to step into leadership roles and unlock potential they may
never have knew existed. As a Greek one learns about discipline,
responsibility, communication, accountability, teamwork and
community in a setting that is conducive to the cultivation of
friendship, morality and scholastic aptitude. The development of AU
Greeks that occurs within each organization transmits externally and
is showcased in the consistent academic performance of the Greek
community. In the Fall of 2014, 156 Greeks made Deans List,
roughly 40 percent of Greek life. These results correlate with the
national statistic that shows graduation rates are 20% higher amongst
Greeks.
The skills Greeks acquire will perpetuate long after a Greek
graduates and moves into the professional world, where they utilize
these skills to succeed in their realm of expertise. My chapter’s
general headquarters said it best when they referred to college as “the
place where the man you are meets the man you will be”. Greeks
truly do transform as a result of their undergraduate experience in a
Greek organization at AU. It’s no surprise that according to USA
Today 85% of Fortune 500 executives are Greek, every United States
President with the exception of two were Greek and the first female
astronaut and senator were both Greeks. This is why I often laugh
when non-affiliated undergraduates claim Greeks “pay for their
friends”, when in fact less than 2% of the average college students
expenses go towards dues. So sure we may pay organizational fees
each semester, but it is well worth it when we these fees enable one to
be part of a national community consisting of 9 million people who
have proven to be success driven.
Greek Life is under a microscope and now more than ever
Greek organizations need to showcase the positive attributes that
accompany Greek affiliation. Greek Life at AU does just that and will
continue to do so. While the actions of certain Greek organizations
have created a negative perception of Greek life, here at Ashland
Greek Life is doing just the opposite. This is why I feel proud to call
myself not just a Phi Delt, but an Ashland University Phi Delt.
Ashland Greek Life Response Continued
2015
Sorority Highlights
Alpha Delta Pi:
Alpha Delta Pi is excited to announce that Sister Hannah Mattar
swam at nationals and won three national honors. Alpha Delta Pi
supported Hannah throughout her experience and even hosted a
viewing party to watch a live stream of Hannah swimming her
events! Sisters are continuing to demonstrate their dedication to
philanthropy through taking weekly trips to the Ronald McDonald
House in Cleveland. During these visits, sisters make crafts with the
children and families staying there.
Alpha Phi:
The sisters of Alpha Phi had a busy and productive March. Alpha
Phi was able to raise $1,442.00 for the Alpha Phi Foundation due
to the outstanding support which they received. The sisters also
gave back to the Greek community as many members attended
Alpha Delta Pi’s Silent Auction and Phi Delta Theta’s Spaghetti
Dinner. Additionally, spring new members were able to meet their
new bigs during reveal! These new members were also initiated
into the sisterhood on March 28. During the month of April,
Alpha Phi will be having Formal on April 11!
Delta Zeta:
The sisters of Delta Zeta enjoyed an exciting March! The sisters
hosted big/little week for their four new members and ended the
week with a reveal! The sisters have been faithfully supporting
Greek Life and the community by regularly volunteering at the dog
shelter and supporting the other chapters at events such as Alpha
Phi’s Mr University and Phi Delta Theta’s Spaghetti Dinner. They
are excited to begin preparing for Greek Weekend with their spirit
partners, Phi Delta Theta.
Theta Phi Alpha:
The sisters of Theta Phi Alpha are looking forward to a productive
month. They recently hosted their big/little reveal process for their
eight new members! Additionally, the sisters of Theta Phi Alpha
were able to raise over $2,000.00 through the Sapphire Ball. All
proceed will go towards the Glenmary Home Missioners who aid
the homeless in the poorest areas of the country and also fund
Camp Friendship. Also during the month of April, the sisters of
Theta Phi Alpha will be attending formal.
Pictured Above (From Left to Right): Alpha Delta Pis at the Ronald McDonald House, Alpha Phis at Mr. University, Delta Zetas
at an IM soccer game, Theta Phi Alphas and Phi Kappa Psi at Mr. University
APRIL
2015
Fraternity Highlights
Phi Delta Theta:
The brothers of Phi Delta Theta would like to thank all of those who
attended the Spaghetti Dinner for ALS during the month of March. 123
people attended and the brothers were able to raise over $700.00 for the
family of Beth Castlevetere, a local woman with ALS. The brothers of
Phi Delta Theta were excited to show their support at Alpha Delta Pi’s
Silent Auction and Alpha Phi’s Mr. University. They have been enjoying
the opportunity to participate in the dog walking community service
activity. Additionally, Phi Delta Theta would like to thank those that
attended their forum and hope everyone was able to take something
away from it. The brothers hosted a “Spring Cleaning” at their house
and are looking forward to the warmer weather. The brothers of Phi
Delta Theta are looking forward to their golf scramble on April 11.
Kappa Sigma:
Kappa Sigma had an eventful and productive March! Kappa Sigma
President, Patrick Wallace emceed Alpha Phi’s Mr. University.
Additionally, Nick Wengerd was also involved in the event as a
participant! During the month of April, Kappa Sigma will be hosting
their annual A Mile in a Soldier’s Shoes on April 12. Please contact
[email protected]. The brothers will be hosting a March
Madness viewing party on April 6. They are also in the process of
initiating their three newest members.
Tau Kappa Epsilon:
Tau Kappa Epsilon has a busy April planned! The brothers of
Tau Kappa Epsilon have scheduled their TKE Tub Tug for
April 10. All proceeds from this event will directly benefit St.
Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Additionally, Tau Kappa
Epsilon will hold their formal dinner on April 1st at Nighttown in
Cleveland. In April, Tau Kappa Epsilon plans to have more
mixers and improve their relations with other chapters on
campus. The brothers of Tau Kappa Epsilon are excited to begin
working with Theta Phi Alpha as their Greek Weekend spirit
partner.
Phi Kappa Psi:
During the month of March, the brothers of Phi Kappa Psi hosted
their formal in Cleveland. Phi Kappa Psi is proud to announce that
they have welcomed three new members into their brotherhood
during the spring semester. They are currently gearing up for Greek
Weekend with their spirit partner, Alpha Delta Pi.
Pictured Above (From Left to Right): Phi Delta Thetas at Alpha Delta Pi’s Silent Auction, Phi Kappa Psi at a Brotherhood Dinner,
Kappa Sigma’s at Mr. University, Tau Kappa Epsilon’s during after a football event.
APRIL
Upcoming Events:
April 10: TKE Tub Tug
April 11: Phi Delta Theta’s Scramble for ALS
April 12: Kappa Sigma’s A Mile In a Soldier’s Shoes
April 16-18: Greek Weekend
April 19: Greek Honors
April 25: Tau Kappa Epsilon’s Alumni Active Softball Game
*Save the Date: April 2, 2016 50th Greek Reunion*
Faculty Staff Brunch:
One of the shared goals between this year’s Interfraternity and
Panhellenic Council Presidents is to strengthen the bonds between
Greek Life students and the Staff and Faculty members at Ashland
University. During the month of March, Panhellenic Council and
Interfraternity Council co-sponsored a staff and faculty
appreciation brunch. During the brunch members of both
councils as well as some chapter Presidents and Council delegates
were able to network with the outstanding employees of Ashland
University. The brunch was a great success with representative
from every college and many departments in attendance. Greek
Life is looking forward to planning and hosting similar events in
the Fall.
2015 APRIL
www.facebook.com/AUGreek
@AUGreekLife @AUGreekLife
This year we are so proud of the overwhelming Greek involvement on St. Jude Exec Board!
Executive Director: Adam Spooner (Phi Delta Theta) Fundraising Director: Cara Kunz (Theta Phi Alpha)
Recruitment Director: Abbey Skolnik (Delta Zeta) Sponsorship Chair: Jackie Hull (Delta Zeta)
Events and Logistic Director: Jared Clemence (Phi Delta Theta) Greek Life Chair: Alyssa Edwards (Delta Zeta)
Side Events Chair: Gaby Vitel (Delta Zeta) Student Organizations Chair: Tyler Zavala (Delta Zeta
Faculty/ Alumni Chair: Katie Adkins (Delta Zeta) Freshman/ Residence Life: Zach Hoffman (Phi Delta Theta)
PR Director: Patrick Wallace (Kappa Sigma)