Greek Gazette (September 2012)

The Greek GazetteClemson University • Issue 6

!

!"#$$!%&$$!'($$$!)($$$!*+$$$!+$$$!,!$$$!+!$$$-.#$$$%+-$$$"""$$$"'$$$")"$$$"*.$$$"/$$$012345678$$/)!$$$/+-$$$9+.$$$,!:$$$,,%$$$$$$$$$

$,!:$$$,,%$$$,!$$$,!.$$,"$$$,*$$$$;'!$$$#,!$$$*!<$$$*'$$$*=$$$*,$$$*#$$$*+<$$$*%&$$$),<$$$+".$$$+,)$$$+*,$$$+-*$$$':$$$'($$$(:+

In this Issue...

Clemson set a new record number for Panhellenic Recruitment this year.Page 2

Greek life remembers the life of Ashlea Benson. Page 3

NPCH stomps the yard in Cox PlazaPage 3

Kappa Alpha Theta traveled to Florida to volunteer in Habitat for HumanityPage 4

Many Greeks experienced studying abroad this summer.Page 5

Clemson’s Greek community receives many awardsPage 6

Kappa Sigma renovates the old Pi Kapp house.Page 7

The addition of Clemson’s biggest freshman class in history brought more to the University than just thousands of brilliant, outstanding students. The freshman class also contributed to the largest Interfraternity Council formal rush ever.

The 21 participating chapters handed out a whopping 485 bids. Out of these 485 bids, an impressive 91 percent of recipients accepted their bid, which is an excellent retention rate for the IFC fall rush. Of the 824 students that rushed a fraternity, 59 percent of them received bids. Brockton Hall, the IFC vice president of recruitment, said, “I think our overall percentage was low because our chapters...wanted to increase in size over time instead of in one big step.” Since

fraternities chose to give out fewer bids compared to the number of people who rushed, the spring classes next semester are expected to be some of the largest spring classes ever. Thanks to the addition of hundreds of new members, Clemson now has at least six chapters with more than 100 members. IFC is extremely pleased with the new recruits and looks forward to growing even more in the upcoming years. - Ward Jones [email protected]

IFC Recruits Largest Class in Clemson History

Interfraternity Council Executive Members (from left) Brockton Hall, Daniel Boulware, Matt Reiss, Scott Harkey, and Anthony Depalo. Not Pictured: Mac Miller

Page 2!

This fall, Clemson set a new record after an astounding 1,011 women registered to participate in Panhellenic Recruitment. On Wednesday, Aug. 29, after four rounds of recruitment, bid day finally arrived and campus was bubbling with excitement to add 808 new members to the Panhellenic community. In addition to growing in numbers, Panhellenic members have also stepped up in other ways to improve the recruitment process. Samantha Martin, the vice president of Panhellenic Recruitment, along with Katelyn Park, the assistant vice president of recruitment, have brought a fresh new perspective

by introducing a values-based recruitment. This new focus helps Panhellenic women, as well as prospective new members, focus on the values that draw them to sorority life instead of the frivolous details that often overwhelm them throughout recruitment. Laura Hicks, the vice president of PR and programs, also introduced a new emphasis on social media throughout the recruitment process. “I wanted to use social media as a fun way to engage our prospective new members and sisters, as well as promote positive public relations on campus!” Hicks said. Overall, Martin was thrilled with the outcome of this

year’s recruitment and looks forward to seeing how these changes will impact the future. “I have been so blessed to have served as the vice president of Panhellenic Recruitment and witness all of the positive changes our community has committed to,” she said. “Seeing the number of women register for recruitment break the 1,000 mark is definitely something I could have never been prepared for, and I can only hope that number continues to grow each year. Thankfully with the support of my recruitment team, all 12 recruitment chairs and advisers, this recruitment became our largest and most successful recruitment.”

Record numbers for CPC Recruitment

2012 Panhellenic Executive Council (from left) Samantha Martin, Laura Hicks, Elizabeth Timmons, Julieann Prettyman, Lindsay Thomas, Katelyn Parks

Page 3 !

The National Pan-Hellenic Council is made up of nine historically African-American sororities and fraternities, more commonly known as the “Divine Nine.” The beginning of every fall semester at Clemson, the NPHC Yard Show takes place. This is where sororities and fraternities of the NPHC showcase their stepping, strolling and chanting talents…and this year was a huge success! The event took place on Cox Plaza, Thursday, Aug. 30th at 6 p.m. and was sponsored by the Clemson Black Student Union. CBSU provided food and drinks for the event. Be on the lookout for more great events brought to you by Clemson’s NPHC this semester! $ $ $ $ $ $ $$ $ $ $ $$$$$-Jason Glover NPHC President

NPHC Stomps the Yard

Ashlea Elizabeth Benson was lost from the Pi Epsilon chapter of Delta Zeta on Aug. 7 at the age of 22. She graduated from Clemson in May 2012 and was preparing to start a new chapter of her life. Delta Zeta lost a very special person that day. Ashlea’s love for Delta Zeta was prominent in her everyday life. She was a cherished and irreplaceable sister of the chapter and her memory will live on in many ways. Ashlea’s presence was always known when she was around because of the way she lit up the room. She was exuberant and taught the rest of the chapter to truly “live life like you mean it.” Ashlea will be greatly missed by every member of the chapter. She was always seen with a smile on her face and ready to give you a hug. The chapter has plans to honor Ashlea and help her legacy live on in the near future. -Marion Reeves [email protected]

Greek Life Remembers

Ashlea Benson

The NPHC community shows pride throughrepping their respective Greek organizations.

Page 4!

The ladies of Kappa Alpha Theta did not hesitate to keep working after finals last spring. Eleven members traveled to New Smyrna, FL from May 5–12 during National Women Build Week to volunteer their time rebuilding a house through Habitat for Humanity. The sisters focused their efforts on maintenance and yard work because the house was over 20 years old and a new family was ready to move in through the

Habitat program. New Smyrna is a Habitat for Humanity site where the houses are “recycled” as families come and go, keeping the houses around for many years. The site is also known for the dedicated work of college students, so there is a building that all of the college volunteers stay in together during their time. Kylie Saunders, director of Theta’s mission trip, said, “it was nice to be able to come

back and reflect on our highs and lows of the day and to talk about what we were doing for the community and how we could continue this service in the future.” Kappa Alpha Theta plans on making this mission trip an annual event for its members to engage in community service and share the experience together. -Katie Ward [email protected]

Sisters of Kappa Alpha Theta in front of the newly renovated Habitat for Humanity house in New Smyrna, FL during National Women Build Week.

Kappa Alpha Theta’s Mission

Page 5 !

Many Clemson Greek students pride themselves on being involved in activities both on and off campus. A popular experience has been that of study abroad. Many students opt to stay in Clemson for the fall due to the excitement of football season. However, many jump at the opportunity to spend their spring semester or summer across seas. An active member of Lamda Chi Alpha, Andrew Bloch, a junior, spent four weeks this summer in Brussels, Belgium through Clemson’s communication studies program. He believes that the experience of living and learning in a new country

is something that all students should take advantage of, if given the chance. Some decide to spend an entire semester abroad to truly take in the culture and sightseeing. Lauren Cusimano, a member of Chi Omega,

spent her spring semester in Florence, Italy. In addition to fully immersing herself in Italian culture, she was able to travel to Germany, Greece, and her favorite place, Croatia. According to Lauren, she “met the most amazing people, who I would not have had the opportunity to otherwise.” There are study abroad programs available at Clemson for all majors and it clearly is an opportunity that

should not be missed! -Diane Lansinger [email protected]

Greeks Go Abroad

Clemson Students studying abroad in Brussels, Belguim

Members of the Fraternity and Sorority community are seen taking pictures all over the world.

Page 6!

This past April, representatives from all of the Greek organizations at Clemson met to be honored for various awards. Several of the awards recognized outstanding leaders in the Greek community. Best Chapter of the Year, one of the most exciting awards to receive, went to Delta Delta Delta, Beta Theta Pi and Alpha Kappa Alpha. Tridelt and Beta also received the awards for Outstanding IFC and CPC President to honor Lauren McCarter and McKee Thomason. Shemia Hunter from Delta Sigma Theta was awarded Outstanding NPHC President. Each president received a plaque to commemorate their achievement. Female Person of the Year went to Hope Russell from Tridelt, and Taj Heyward from Alpha Phi Alpha received Male Person of the Year. Both were given a framed photo. One of the most distinguished awards honored to entire chapters recognized their academic achievements. The winner of Highest Overall GPA was Pi Kappa Alpha for IFC, Tridelt for CPC and Delta Sigma Theta for NPHC. Another noteworthy award, Philanthropy of the Year, went out to Delta Zeta for the annual Charity Clay Classic they do in the spring. These are only a few of the Greeks recognized for awards this year, there are many great chapters at Clemson that deserve acknowledgement. Congratulations to everyone from the Greek Gazette! -Blanche Herlong [email protected]

Award Winning Greeks

Clemson University’s IFC, CPC, and NPHC Presidents at the 2012 Greek Awards.

Benefiting the All-Faiths Chapel and Student Memorial Garden

DIVISION OF STUDENT AFFAIRS

www.clemsonstudentmemorial5k.com

Sunday, October 23, 2 p.m.

Logging the miles

to remember our beloved Tigers

Page 7 !

For some time, people around campus were wondering what was to become of the old Pi Kapp house. Some people thought the house was going to fall in on itself—it was in shambles, and it looked like it had been abandoned for more than a few years. You’ve probably notice by now a new set of letters on that house. In fact, you’ve probably noticed a bit more than that. Ten brothers of Kappa Sigma fraternity currently occupy the newly renovated house across from the Fike Lower Intramural Fields. Renovations to the house included electrical rewiring, the construction of an outdoor patio, and landscaping using hybrid grass. The interior was also renovated. Kappa Sigma hosted a golf tournament recently, where over 100 alumni showed up. Wes Moran, president of Kappa Sigma, had this to say, “[We are] real appreciative of the alumni support, [and we] look forward to living in the house this year and the opportunity it holds.” Kappa Sigma saved that house from looked like certain condemnation, and we all hope that they keep it that way for a long time. -John RIchard [email protected]

A New House for Kappa Sigma

Page 8!

Looking for a great opportunity? The Greek Gazette is looking for Writers and Social Media help.

If interested contact Scott Harkey or Laura Hicks.

Place your ad hereFor more details contact

Scott Harkey: [email protected]

Reed Bennett: [email protected]