9-18-2018

When I arrived at Behrend the fall of last year, there was no way you could have told me that I would have joined a sorority the following semester. I had grown up with idea that sororities were filled with vain women who were only about bringing other women down. I thought that fraternities were filled with boys who played lacrosse and football in high school and didn’t make the college league teams and joined a fraternity to feel like they were still on their sports team. Looking back at this, it was so incredibly unfair to these people for me to assume that they were just paying for their friends. To relive high school. Let me tell you this, Greek life is so much more than the popular kids from your high school teaming up to gang up on you and haunt you for the rest of your college career. While mainstream media and Hollywood love to portray this, that’s not the case at all.

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As a freshman going into my second semester, my best friends wanted to go to recruitment events for the sororities on campus. I still had the thought that it wasn’t for me, because I wasn’t like those girls. When I arrived at each event I was greeted with warm, genuine smiles and open arms. These women showed me that sorority life is to empower other women, not bring them down - to help each individual grow in social and life skills. Their values reflected mine greatly, and they worked together to help the community become a better place physically and socially. The Philanthropies that they work with aren’t just ways to show that they are “good people” - they are people who deserve a shot before being “judged”. They dedicate so much time to these organizations, to max the amount of help they receive from each person, and each chapter.  

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This doesn’t just go for sororities either. Penn State’s fraternity life is just as welcoming. Fraternities work just as hard to help the community they reside in, and help men make lasting friendships all through college, especially when their studies get to be in depth. While I can’t say much for being in a fraternity, I can say that they are kind, funny and generous people. They care a lot about those surrounding them, and want the best for their brothers, their community and their friends.  

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The Greek life on campus does so much to involve the community in their events. Alpha Sigma Alpha has a volleyball tournament that raises money for their philanthropy, which includes raffle baskets that you can win. Alpha Sigma Tau is scheduling a 5K for women’s wellness which helps women in the Erie community. Theta Phi Alpha focuses on multiple philanthropic efforts towards organizations in the area as well as across the country. Sigma Tau Gamma recently held their famed Undie Run just a few weeks ago. While each chapter has philanthropic events, these are just a few to highlight that a huge part of Greek life is volunteer work to better yourself and your community.  

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Greek life is more than Bigs and Littles, throwing huge events, going to formal and raising money for charities and organizations. Greek life is about making friends. The friends you make in Greek life are for life. That’s why it’s called Greek life. Once you join a fraternity or sorority, your life could be greatly improved, whether it’s a beneficial addition to your resume or your social life, your time in Greek life will be something you shouldn’t ever regret.  

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When I started this piece, I wanted to stray away from the things that are so commonly said, however, there's a reason you hear them all the time. It's because it’s all so true. You find your life friends, your role models, your ride or dies. You gain so much experience in leadership, organizational skills, life skills and more. You find laughter everywhere you go, connections with people you never thought you’d meet, and most importantly someone by your side through everything.