Letters
CPC, IFC, MGC, and and NPHC at Central Fraternal Leadership Conference and National Black Greek Leadership Conference In Saint Louis, MO
Volume 2 Issue 3 Iowa State University Greek Community March 2012
Dear Reader, We hope you are as excited for this first issue of Letters as we are! The 2012 Greek Relations Executive Council (GREC) is excited to launch another edition of “Letters.” We have worked hard to get these stories about your fellow Greek students together and keep you informed about your community. Spring is always a great time of year for the Greek Community at Iowa State. This year we are celebrating the 60th anniversary of Greek Week and we are given the opportunity to look back on our past and see what has made our community so great. We also have students making a difference during the Greek Alternative Spring Break, and philanthropies to look forward to. As always, GREC would love your input on what you want to see in future publications. Feel free to email us with story ideas or comments. Email us at letters.isu@gmail. com. Sincerely,
ΑΒΓΔΕΖΗΘΙΚΛΜΝΞΟΠΡΣΤΥΦΧΨΩ The Greek Relations Executive Council
Meet the Letters Team
Caleb Evers IFC VP of Communications
Sara Schlueter
CPC VP of Communications
CONTENTS Α Dear Reader Β Contents Γ& Δ Varieties Ε&Z Dance Marathon H AFLV Θ Katy Cran Ι Lavaliering
K
The Emerging Greek
Leadership Council
Delta Tau Delta
Λ Web Greek & Freddy Fifield IFC VP of Marketing
Megan McDonagh CPC VP of Marketing
Greek Relations Executive Council Katelyn Barker Kappa Delta Ashleigh Belin Pi Beta Phi Mary-Kate Burkert Alpha Delta Pi Abby Ehrler Sigma Kappa Melissa Gofforth Delta Delta Delta Jackie Howell Kappa Delta Chris Lightfoot Sigma Phi Epsilon Joe McConico Pi Kappa Alpha Zach Mlcoch Sigma Alpha Epsilon Bayley Rustad Kappa Kappa Gamma
Α
Μ Robert Page & Greek Week
Ν Calender Ξ You Know You’re Greek When letters.isu@gmail.com
@ISUGreek
Greek Community Iowa State University
ΒΓΔΕΖΗΘΙΚΛΜΝΞΟΠΡΣΤΥΦΧΨΩ
BY JOE MCCONICO Although not all skits make it to finals, there is always talent to be recognized. A pairing can still be eligible to receive individual awards for their performances. Three out of the six pairings make it on to final cuts, also known as Sweeps, which was held in the Great Hall of the Memorial Union February 24-25. “This was the [Medieval Mayhem] band’s year to shine and I’m really excited that they could be acknowledged, regardless of how we placed overall,” said Benjamin Dennis the president of Pi Kappa Alpha after accepting the Best Band award. “Tweet: The Musical,” comprised of members in Kappa Kappa Gamma, Delta Tau Delta, Acacia and Alpha Delta Pi was the first skit to take the limelight in the Great Hall. Their performance earned the group the People’s Choice Award. Each year Greek chapters at Iowa State are paired together to compete in the spotlight. Varieties, which is a blend of music, acting and dancing is a long standing tradition at Iowa State. Months of straining voices, sweating and long nights filled with hard work go into every Varieties production. “Everyone got a lot better and put in a lot of hard work,” said Briana Haguewood, the producer for Varieties Central Committee.
ΑΒ
Sigma Kappa, Kappa Alpha Theta, FarmHouse and Phi Gamma Delta performed “Caught In a Pickle” which won multiple awards including best female actress, Kristin Marshall. Last and certainly not least was the overall winner of the competition, “A Pictures Worth a Thousand Words,” a dazzling production with boundless energy. The star of this performance included Tyler Roskam of Tau Kappa Epsilon, who captivated the audience and a few hearts while on stage.
ΓΔΕΖΗΘΙΚΛΜΝΞΟΠΡΣΤΥΦΧΨΩ
VARiETiES While these emotions of excitement and joy will fade away, the relationships formed by the students during Varieties will last forever. Medieval Mayhem: Gamma Phi Beta Pi Kappa Alpha
A Picture’s Worth 1,000 Words:
Directly after the last performance was the award ceremony, where pairings hope to back up all their hard work. “I’m on that life high, and now it’s time to celebrate,” said a smiling Nnamdi Igbokwe of Pi Kappa Phi, recipient of the “Best Line” award. Producer Briana Haguewood stepped up to the stage to announce the overall winner of varieties. Hands are grabbed for comfort, fingers were crossed for luck as the growing tension in the room reached an all time high.
Chi Omega Delta Delta Delta Tau Kappa Epsilon Sigma Phi Epsilon
Not So New to the Zoo: Alpha Gamma Delta Pi Kappa Phi
Little League Legends: Pi Beta Phi Alpha Gamma Rho Beta Sigma Psi
Not Another Teen Musical: Alpha Omicron Pi Delta Upsilon Sigma Alpha Epsilon Kappa Delta Phi Kappa Psi
Tweet: The Musical:
Kappa Kappa Gamma Delta Tau Delta Acacia
Caught in a Pickle: Sigma Kappa Kappa Alpha Theta FarmHouse Phi Gamma Delta
“I was so nervous,” revealed Krystal Castaneda of Chi Omega. When the winners for the various awards were announced, pairings went wild with joy, gathering in a boisterous huddle celebrating the moment and all their hardwork.
ΑΒΓ
ΔΕΖΗΘΙΚΛΜΝΞΟΠΡΣΤΥΦΧΨΩ
Dance Marath BY ASHLEIGH BELIN
On January 21, 2012, Iowa State’s Dance Marathon made history once again. While students stood on their feet for 15 hours, they managed to raise $380,742.15 for the Children’s Miracle Network at the University of Iowa Children’s Hospitals. This is a huge increase from last year’s total of, $264,000. In the world of Dance Marathon, this feat is hard to come by, yet the students at Iowa State have managed to almost double fundraising for the last two years. Szuyin Leow, the co-director of Dance Marathon and a member of Pi Beta Phi said, “In the big picture of things, Dance Marathon wouldn’t have been as successful without the Greek community.” A group of Kappa Delta dancers making a difference
The Greek community had a strong
ΑΒΓΔ
presence this year making up over half of the executive committee, all-Committee, and total attendance for the event. Even more incredible is how much money was raised.
Dance Marathon parents getting ready to “Kick It For The Kids!”
The chapters that raised the most money were Pi Beta Phi with $17,032 and Alpha Tau Omega with $8,641. From the beginning, the Greek Community has always had a strong presence in Dance Marathon. Delta Tau Delta and Pi Beta Phi worked together to create the first Dance Marathon in 1998 held in the basement of the State Gym. This first Dance Marathon raised over $20,000. While many aspects of Dance Marathon have changed in the past 14 years, the spirit of “Kickin’ it for the Kids,” still remains the same. Luke Belzer, a junior in Farmhouse Fraternity, said that he first learned about Dance Marathon through his organization. “I dance for the kids who can’t. I dance to
ΕΖΗΘΙΚΛΜΝΞΟΠΡΣΤΥΦΧΨΩ
hon be a part of something bigger than myself and to make a difference,” Belzer said. That is the common thought shared by those who attend the event. Dance Marathon is an event for the kids, and the focus is on the celebration of life rather than the life threatening illnesses these children deal with every day. Ricky Williams, a member of the recruitment and morale committee and a member of Phi Gamma Delta explained
his experience with Dance Marathon this year. “We have made great strides in becoming a more relevant and well known Dance Marathon in the nation,” Williams said. “While the Greeks have consisted of a majority of Dance Marathon, it’s great to see the ratio of Greeks to non-Greeks getting even. It means Dance Marathon is becoming more known to Iowa State.”
Did You Know?
Dance Marathon’s Power Hour
In DM2012....9 out of 17 Dance Marathon Executive members were Greek. 106 out of 185 All-Committee members were Greek. 458 out of 915 participants were Greek.
ΑΒΓΔΕ
ΖΗΘΙΚΛΜΝΞΟΠΡΣΤΥΦΧΨΩ
Central Fraternal Leadership Conference & National Black Greek Leadership Conference 2012 BY SARA SCHLUETER and even marketing,” said CPC President Laura Wooster.
While at the conference, the Iowa State CPC community won the coveted Sutherland Award, which requires recipients to fill out information about their communities in ten specific areas.
The women of CPC and their graduate advisor Theresa Sherwood
The weekend of February 10 the members of the Collegiate Panhellenic Council, Interfraternity Council, the Multicultural Greek Council and National Pan-Hellenic Council traveled to St. Louis, Missouri to represent the Iowa State University Greek Community at the Central Fraternal Leadership Conference and National Black Greek Leadership Conference. th
Iowa State won this award in Division IV, which groups together universities with similar recruitment practices and size. The competition was among five universities, including the University of Iowa. While winning the award was an accomplishment for the Greek Community, the information and knowledge that the council members brought back is invaluable. “I learned so much about how to inspire and lead others when it comes to working with Greek community members,” said IFC President Joe Hora. “I’m very proud of the way Iowa State was represented at the conference.”
The conference included Greek leaders from all the across the country, and over 300 colleges and universities were represented. This opportunity allows Greek leaders to attend sessions and hear keynote speakers about how to further advance their Greek Communities. “The conference helps our leaders gain new information on everything from risk management, recruitment planning, new practices in philanthropy and community
ΑΒΓΔΕΖ
ΗΘΙΚΛΜΝΞΟΠΡΣΤΥΦΧΨΩ
The men of IFC and their graduate advisor Leslie Schacht
Greek Community Welcomes Back Katy Cran By Bayley Rustad & Megan McDonagh In February, Katy (Dyer) Cran was hired as the new Assistant Director of Greek Affairs. This is not Cran’s first time working with the Iowa State Greek Community. While attending graduate school at Iowa State, Cran served as the Collegiate Panhellenic Council advisor for two years. Cran’s return to the office was brought upon by her feelings about the Greek Community. “Being Greek has [been] the third best decision in my life besides choosing my partner and choosing my undergraduate institution,” Cran said. “Being Greek is really a lifetime commitment that can provide you other opportunities.” For her undergraduate degree, Cran attended the University of Iowa where she was a member of Delta Gamma.
While attending Iowa, she held many leadership positions such as Delta Gamma president and a member of the Collegiate Panhellenic Council. As the Assistant Director of Greek Affairs, Cran will have three main focuses: recruitment for all four of Iowa State’s Greek councils, marketing and communication efforts, and collaboration with the various departments at Iowa State. Cran believes that the most difficult part of her job will be recruitment as it is not only recruiting students but also fighting the negative stereotypes against Greeks, while showing parents the great opportunities the Iowa State Greek community has to offer. Cran is excited to be working with Iowa State students again and wants everyone to know that the Greek Affairs staff is a great resource. “We will always root for what is best for students.” Cran said.
From the Left: CPC Advisor Theresa Sherwood, IFC Advisor Leslie Schacht, Director of Greek Affairs Jenn Plagman-Galvin, Assistant Director of Greek Affairs Katy Cran, NPHC/MGC Advisor Cameron Beatty
ΑΒΓΔΕΖΗ
ΘΙΚΛΜΝΞΟΠΡΣΤΥΦΧΨΩ
Lavaliering BY MARY-KATE BURKERT With Valentine’s Day a recent memory, many sorority women are savoring a box of chocolates or taking frequent whiffs of the dozen roses purchased at the nearest Hy-Vee. The lucky few, on the other hand, received a gift not wrapped by Russell-Stover or withering away as days go by. These women received the promise of a future with their fraternity sweetheart in the form of a lavalier. A Greek lavalier is a pendant necklace named after Duchess Louise de La Valliere, a mistress of King Louis XIV. Today, the lavalier is given as a sign of commitment and affection from a member of a fraternity to his beloved. The Greek lavalier often leads to the engagement and marriage of the smitten couple. “The gift of a lavalier is a token that says he loves me and that he wants to be with me for the rest of his life,” said Hannah VanEvery, sophomore in Alpha Delta Pi sorority. “It’s a privilege for me to wear his fraternity’s letters. It’s something we’ll always have to remind us that the Greek system was how we met.”
Ι
The recipient traditionally keeps her lavaliering a secret until her Greek chapter hosts a candle ceremony. The women will pass a candle around in a circle while singing a traditional song and the woman who has been lavaliered may blow it out in celebration of this milestone. “Lavaliering sets the Greek Community apart. I don’t know how else to say it except that without Greek life, I would never have met Hannah,” said Branden Severseike, junior in Sigma Pi fraternity. “Within this Community, there are special ways to promise and promote a long term relationships, which goes a long way in describing just how much of an impact Greek life can have on any individual.”
An example of a lavalier
ΑΒΓΔΕΖΗΘ ΚΛΜΝΞΟΠΡΣΤΥΦΧΨΩ
Welcome to The Emerging Greek Leadership Council of 2012 BY ABBY EHRLER Every year, new members in the Greek Community who demonstrate outstanding leadership skills are chosen to be members of the Emerging Greek Leadership Council (EGLC). The goal of EGLC is to teach new members valuable leadership skills that they can use to work together and unite the Greek Community. Zach Lenhart, Co-President of EGLC and a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon, explains that EGLC gives its members a glimpse into larger leadership roles they may hold. “We come in with baby steps and by the end of our term we work our way into a bigger picture of what it is really like to be a Greek Leader,” Lenhart said.
Elizabeth Pritchard, Co-President of EGLC and a member of Sigma Kappa, adds that one of the main goals of EGLC is to establish a known presence on campus. “We want people, Greek or Non-Greek, to hear EGLC and automatically think ‘Meal Under the Campanile’ or ‘Watermelon Fest’,” Pritchard said. Both Pritchard and Lenhart encourage new members to get involved from the start. “I understand that it is a new member’s first year in college, and life in general, is extremely stressful, but getting involved right away will really pay off. They will make wonderful friends right away and in turn that will make them enjoy their college careers more,” Pritchard said.
EGLC’s main responsibilities include planning Watermelon Fest (held every September), Live Greek 365 (a program for new Greeks), and the Meal Under the Campanile taking place the Wednesday during Greek Week. “Putting together something as complex as Meal Under the Campanile and Watermelon Fest is already testing how strong our council will be able to work together, and I really think we’ll be able to show much we can accomplish,” Lenhart said.
ΑΒΓΔΕΖΗΘΙ
The Emerging Greek Leadership Council
ΚΛΜΝΞΟΠΡΣΤΥΦΧΨΩ
WebGreek BY ZACH MLCOCH
Finally the Iowa State Greek Community has an opportunity to communicate more effectively. Revolutionize your Greek chapter with WebGreek Cloud, the only private social network built exclusively for Greeks. On this site, communication between members of your chapter is easy and effective.
The website also offers a free 30 day trial of the program, and after that nine dollars a month to use the site. To see more information on how to use WebGreek for your chapter visit WebGreek at www.webgreek.com, and you can chat with a live specialist as well.
Members can easily send free group texts and emails with calendar events, vote online, collect and send bills, sell tickets, share music or photos and collaborate on files. All of this can be done on your own private chapter network, and only those with the proper passwords can edit the page.
ΔΤΔ Wins National Award BY FREDDY FIFIELD In February, the Gamma Pi chapter of Delta Tau Delta Fraternity at Iowa State University won their 22nd Hugh Shields Award at their Western Plains Division Conference held in Lincoln, Nebraska. The Hugh Shields Award is the most prestigious award bestowed upon a Delta Tau Delta chapter. The award is given annually to the top 10 chapters who display outstanding accomplishments in areas of chapter programming, and operations. Congratulations gentlemen, keep up the good work!
ΑΒΓΔΕΖΗΘIK
ΛΜΝΞΟΠΡΣΤΥΦΧΨΩ
Robert Page Visits Iowa State BY LAURA WOOSTER On February 7th, Robert Page visited Iowa State to speak on the relevance of black Greeks on a campus with primarily white students. According to Page, historically black organizations came into existence because of the support they got from primarially white Greek chapters. He said that many of the historically black fraternities and sororities based their own original purposes and founding standards from the same values that many historically white chapters had. Page said that though the two organizations are different, both share the same values. Members of CPC chapters, IFC chapters, MGC chapters and NPHC chapters should strive to work together and support one another.
Greek Week Preview BY JACKIE HOWELL Greek Week has become a long-standing The theme for this year is “60 Years is Quite tradition at Iowa State since it first started 60 a While but Greek Letters are Still in Style!” years ago in 1952. Playing off of this theme, there is a 60-day Twitter and Facebook countdown, that looks Greek Week Central’s Marketing and Media back at Greek Weeks from the past. Greek Coordinators, Megan Young and Benjamin Week kicks off March 25. Gremel, say that Greek Week began as a “fall celebration of the large Greek community.” Greek Week first included formal dinners, speakers and a few Greek Olympic events. It quickly progressed to include giving back to the community through “Operation Lifeline,” which was the beginning of the Greek Community’s connection with the blood drive. Now, 60 years since Greek Week’s first celebration, Greek Week also includes Polar Bear Plunge, VEISHEA service day and a can drive. The can drive donations go to over two dozen different community charities.
ΑΒΓΔΕΖΗΘΙΚΛ
ΜΝΞΟΠΡΣΤΥΦΧΨΩ
MARCH Tuesday
Monday
Sunday
Wednesday
1
Thursday
2
Friday
3
Saturday Gamma Phi Beta Day of Service 1-4pm
4
5
6
7
8
11
12
13
14
15
30th Annual All-You-CanEat Shamrock Spaghetti Dinner 5-8pm at Kappa Delta
Theta Chi Tator Bar 6-9pm
Pike’s Pizza 5pm-12am
9
10
16
17
23
24
30
31Greek Olympics
Spring Break Greek Alternative Spring Break 18
25
19
20
All Greek Open House for President Leath at Alpha Gamma Rho 6:30-7:30pm
21
22
Alpha Gam Pasta Slam 5-8pm
Blood Drive Mon-Thurs
Greek Week Kick-off Event BBQ 5:00-7:30 on Central Campus
26
Spirit Day BBQ and Karaoke First Cuts 11:00am1pm on Central Campus NPHC/MGC Educational Event
27
Lip Sync First Cuts 7:00 at CY Stevents NPHC/MGC Social Event
28
Meal Under the Campanile and Karaoke Second Cuts 11:00am1pm on Central Campus
Greek Week
ΑΒΓΔΕΖΗΘIKΛΜ
29
NPHC/MGC Health and Wellness Event
Greek Getaway starts!
Lip Sync and Karaoke Finals 10:30pm at CY Stevents
VEISHEA Service Day 8:30-10:30am
9am-4pm
Greek Pizza Lunch 11am2pm Polar Bear Plunge at Lake Laverne 5:30
ΝΞΟΠΡΣΤΥΦΧΨΩ
You Know You’re Greek When... Gre ek i W exc s jus eek itin t a s hol g as ida t ys! he
nger o l o n u Yo e just hav you , s d n e i r f hers/ t o r b e v ha oo! sisters t
You don’t wear socks with your sperry’s even in freezing weather. r You neve he forget t the f o s e m na Math n i s l o b sym cs. i s y h P d an
ΑΒΓΔΕΖΗΘΙΚΛΜΝ
Wednesdays are the easiest day to pick out an outfit
ΞΟΠΡΣΤΥΦΧΨΩ