It's been 28 years, and the pioneers are coming back. This time they're giving to a new philanthropy — their younger brothers and sisters.
Greek alumni and students have begun meeting each February at the Greek Legacy Alumni Awards dinner. “It's like a family reunion,” says Jennifer Goff, director of development for student affairs.
To ensure Greek organizations continue to thrive, Greek alumni have established two funds. The Immediate Impact Fund (with more than $2,000 raised to date) is similar to an annual fund — it raises and distributes money each year to support leadership development opportunities. The Greek Leadership Endowment Fund (with $36,500 committed so far) is a long-term investment that will provide recurring support each year from the earnings of the endowment.
John Harlow '87 (Lambda Chi Alpha), Kevin Price '93 (Alpha Phi Alpha), Kimberlee Hyman '95 (Zeta Phi Beta) and Ron Grant '00 (Sigma Phi Epsilon) were the first four to support the endowment.
“It's not an exercise of raising money just to raise money,” Harlow says. “I'm excited about what can be accomplished.”
This past February, with money raised from the Immediate Impact Fund, the Center for Creative Leadership came to campus and facilitated an interactive program in conjunction with the Greek Retreat. Approximately 45 current Greek student leaders — mixed from different councils and chapters — worked together to better develop their communication, teamwork and leadership skills.
To learn more about the Greek Legacy initiative, visit www.uncg.edu/saf/alumni/greek. Or contact Jennifer Goff at (336) 334-9812 or jlgoff@uncg.edu. Or show your support by joining the Facebook group “UNCG Greek Legacy.”
Today's Greek students have their own stories to tell. Learn why they joined and what it has meant to them.
Aubrey Parker
Alpha Delta Pi
Senior nursing major
Why join: I never thought I would join a sorority. You hear things in the media… But I didn't know anyone on campus. In high school, I was very involved.
What it has meant: My college experience is totally different than what it would have been. It's been a family experience. It's different than if I had joined the Biology club. It's a huge support system away from home.
Lessons learned: It has really changed my life. I've learned to be more assertive, how to practice tough love. I've learned a lot about business — nationals, signing contracts. I've been prepared for the real world.
Sisterhood: I'm having lots of fun being with girls I really care about. It's become a well-balanced life.
Sorority events: Annual Ronald McDonald House Benefit Dinner and Silent Auction (raised $12,251 last year)
Miriam Lyde
Zeta Phi Beta
Human Development Family Studies, senior
Why Zeta Phi Beta: I felt like I fit in. Everyone was super-nice, cordial and welcoming. And they do lots of community service — walk for AIDS, March of Dimes, Crop Walk, Adopt-a-Highway, Urban Ministries.
What it has meant: It's given me a sense of belonging, a family at college I can call and depend on.
Expectations: It's better than I had expected. I had no idea what it meant to be Greek. I've had more rich experiences.
Best part: The sisterhood. A family. People to talk to every day. I always have my family.
What you would tell others: Do your research, and find the right fit. It's not for everybody. You have to be very dedicated to be part of a Greek organization.
Sal Stammetti
Sigma Phi Epsilon
IFC president
Marketing, junior
Why join: Both of my parents were Greeks and they said it was the best experience of their lives.
Why Sigma Phi Epsilon: They have the balanced man ideal. They believe you should build up in order to teach, not tear down.
Lessons learned: The first thing I learned — we're not a frat, we're a fraternity. We conduct ourselves as gentlemen. That was a major point for me. I've matured a lot. I know how to conduct myself better. I used to not care what people thought but now I realize you kind of have to care what people think.
What you would tell others: We're not the stereotype. We conduct ourselves as a business. We're not a party group.
Christine Edwards
Theta Nu Xi multicultural sorority
Sociology and African American Studies, junior
A new kind of sorority: Scholarship, sisterhood, multiculturalism — that's what we're founded on. We want to spread diversity and bring unity within the Greek community.
Why join: I didn't think I was that type of girl. I'm not a cheerleader or a Girl Scout. But this really spoke to me more because of what it stands for. It's more open-minded. I thought sororities were only for the rich and popular. That'’s really not true — they're open to everybody.
Best part: I've enjoyed my sisters. I love being with them. And I like being involved on campus.
What it's meant: It's made me more accepting and open, not just of race but religions and lifestyles.
Future plans: I'm going to join a graduate chapter. I want to start another chapter somewhere. Later, I would like to be a part of the national board. I think my involvement is lifelong.
Curtis Cotton
Alpha Phi Alpha
Music education, senior
Why join: This campus is different from other campuses. Chapel Hill has basketball, football. Our students need something to call their own. Fraternities are a lot more important to people than other traditional school organizations.
Best part: The actual fraternalhood or sisterhood, creating those bonds. It's a close family network. I grew up as an only child. I was looking for brotherhood.
APA values: Manly deeds, scholarship, love for all mankind. Chivalry is not dead. We always promote academic success. Being cordial with all mankind.
What you would tell others: You get out of it what you put into it.
Justin Fisher
Lambda Chi Alpha
Marketing, junior
Why join: It was initially a social outlet, a family. I didn't know anyone here. Now I understand more what it stands for, the ideals.
Seven core values: Loyalty, service and stewardship, duty, honor, respect, integrity, personal courage.
Expectations: I wasn't like, fraternities are evil. I knew of them. I had some questions to a degree.
Stereotypes: The average person thinks we drink a lot, don't benefit the community, don't pay attention to non-Greeks, treat women wrong. I would not be happy if that's what my fraternity did.
What you would tell others: I'm pretty involved on campus. I'm a student conduct case coordinator, last year was the vice president of SGA (Student Government Association) and have been elected vice president of the Order of the Omega (Greek honor society). We're not screw-ups. We benefit the community. We're willing to give up our time.
Fraternity events: Polar Plunge, Boulder Days
Feb. 12, 1974 — Ad hoc committee formed to evaluate whether to open the campus to social fraternities and sororities.
Jan. 15, 1975 — Committee recommends against Greeks 8-2.
Sept. 1978 — A new committee on fraternities and sororities recommends the university allow Greek organizations on campus.
Sept. 15, 1980 — First rush begins.
Jan. 9, 1981 — Chi Omega and Phi Mu sororities charter UNCG colonies, the first step to establishing a chapter.
Jan. 16, 1981 — Pi Kappa Phi fraternity chartered (recognized by UNCG in August 1981).
Jan. 17, 1981 — Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority chartered.
Feb. 15, 1981 — Delta Sigma Theta sorority chartered.
March 20, 1981 — Alpha Chi Omega sorority chartered; Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity chartered.
March 28, 1981 — Alpha Delta Pi sorority chartered.
March 31, 1981 — Sigma Tau Gamma fraternity chartered (recognized by UNCG in April 1981).
Oct. 25, 1982 — Greek Review committee recommends the Greek system be continued on a permanent basis. It also points to three issues involving the Greek system: faculty advising, grades and housing.
March 26, 1983 — Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity chartered.
Dec. 13, 1983 — Dean Cliff Lowery and Interfraternity Council Advisor Bruce Harshbarger meets with more than 30 students who wish to pursue affiliation with a major traditionally black fraternity but do not want to be limited to a single choice (Kappa Alpha Psi). As a result, Alpha Phi Alpha and Omega Psi Phi are invited to become established at UNCG.
Oct. 7, 1984 — Alpha Phi Alpha chartered.
Oct. 4. 1985 — Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity chartered.
Nov. 2, 1985 — Sigma Nu fraternity chartered.
Feb. 12, 1988 — Phi Beta Sigma fraternity chartered.
Feb. 11, 1989 — Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority chartered.
March 15, 1989 — Zeta Phi Beta sorority chartered.
Oct. 23, 1992 — Kappa Delta Rho fraternity chartered.
July 22, 1994 — Omega Psi Phi fraternity chartered.
Nov. 15, 1997 — Sigma Gamma Rho sorority chartered.
April 21, 1999 — Theta Nu Xi multicultural sorority chartered.
May 2006 — Theta Delta Chi fraternity affiliated with UNCG.
Dec. 4, 2007 — Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity affiliated with UNCG.