With fraternity rush going on this week, I thought it appropriate to address the subject of Greek Life at Loyola, and why it is so dear to myself and hundreds of men and women on this campus. If someone were to ask me plainly why I chose to join a sorority, giving just one answer just simply wouldn’t cover it. So many positive things come out of joining the Greek community that it would be impossible to list them all in this blog post, but I’ll try my best!
For starters, when you join a fraternity or sorority, you automatically gain a group of friends- not only in your own organization, but in the Greek community as a whole. I can’t tell you how many people I’ve met and established friendships with as a result of joining my sorority. I met some of my best friends in my sorority and in other sororities just by going through recruitment. It sounds silly, but I know that any one of the women in my sorority would drop whatever they were doing to help me with something that I really needed, and I would do the same for them. Being in a sorority or fraternity is sort of like having a family- a home away from home.
As a member of a Greek organization, philanthropy is a huge deal. Each organization has a charity that they do various fundraisers for throughout the year. Every year, Loyola’s Greek organizations raise thousands of dollars for disadvantaged children, victims of domestic violence, and research for eyesight, cancer, and cystic fibrosis. Through their philanthropic activities, these organizations are not only giving back to the community, but oftentimes they are providing food and/or activities for the Loyola student body in exchange for their donation.
Being in a fraternity or sorority also helps you to get involved with other organizations on and off campus. Alumni and current members of your Greek organization are helpful in encouraging you to join clubs or apply for jobs that they themselves are involved with. The networking opportunities that are available to you through alumni and current members are amazing and they’ll be with you for life!
One of the best parts of being in a Greek organization, however, is all of the social events you’ll get to attend! Every fraternity and sorority on campus has at least one party per semester. Greek and non-Greek students are welcome at these events, so no one gets left out. Costume parties, formals, and semi-formals have made for some of my best college experiences so far. Parties aren’t the only social events on the Greek calendar of course. Within your own Greek organization there are plenty of bonding activities to keep you satisfied throughout the year. Movie nights, beach retreats, cookie swaps, and even laser tag are just a few of the activities Greek organizations partake in.
If you get anything out of this blog post, I hope it’s this: Joining a Greek organization means having fun, helping others, and building relationships that will last a lifetime. If I still haven’t convinced you that Greek Life is worth it, ask around campus- nearly 20% of Loyola’s student body is a member of a Greek organization!
