Community, Friendship and Fun Highlight ESU Greek Week

Equipped with plastic gloves and garbage bags, dozens of students from East Stroudsburg University’s fraternities and sororities filed into the community surrounding campus and, piece by piece, collected trash from yards, sidewalks and streets.

The clean-up effort was just one of the major events during ESU’s annual Greek Week from April 14-18, but it was one that students said was perhaps the strongest indicator of what it meant to them to be part of Greek Life.

“It’s not just about ourselves,” said Aiden Gerhard, a public health major from Catasauqua, Pa., and a member of Alpha Sigma Tau sorority. “We want to contribute positively to as many places in our community as possible.”

“It shows a lot of unity between the organizations and that we care about the community we all live in here at ESU,” added Kristen Ingenito, an exercise science major and Tri Sigma sorority member from Stroudsburg, Pa.

Community was a common theme not only during the cleanup, but throughout a week that was designed to celebrate the bonds of brotherhood and sisterhood, said Dean of Student Life Jennie Smith, Ed.D.

“All of the events are to promote Greek spirit and unity, and to celebrate an amazing year,” Dr. Smith said.

Greek Life at ESU features 13 organizations currently recognized by the university: Alpha Omicron Pi Sorority, Alpha Sigma Tau Sorority, Lambda Iota Sorority, Sigma Sigma Sigma Sorority, Delta Chi Fraternity, Kappa Delta Rho Fraternity, Sigma Pi Fraternity, Theta Chi Fraternity, and culturally based fraternal organizations Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., Lambda Sigma Upsilon Latino Fraternity, Inc., Mu Sigma Upsilon Sorority, Inc., Groove Phi Groove Social Fellowship, and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.and. Pi Lamda Phi Fraternity is seeking re-recognition after being inactive at ESU. Greek Life organizations promote leadership, philanthropy and community service, and are typically involved in Relay for Life, holiday hunger fundraising and volunteering.

This year’s Greek Week began on Monday, April 14, with Field Day, an afternoon of games and friendly competitions that pitted organizations against one another. Students squared off in wheelbarrow races, tug of war and other activities. While competition was fierce, it was all in good fun, said Liam Chawaga of Theta Chi fraternity.

“At the end of the day, we’re all brothers and sisters and we’re just out here as friends celebrating that bond,” said Chawaga, a criminal justice major from Philadelphia, Pa.

Another day of competition followed on Tuesday with a dodgeball tournament in Koehler Fieldhouse. Wednesday featured the community cleanup, and Thursday was Greek Sing – an evening of singing and dancing acts put on by the organizations. Alpha Sigma Tau and Sigma Pi took home the top prizes.

Greek Week culminated with its annual awards ceremony on Friday, where Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority and Delta Chi fraternity were chapters of the year. Awards were also given to individuals and organizations in categories like service, leadership, academic initiative, philanthropy and community service.

“I joined Greek Life to meet more people, expand friendships and explore leadership roles, and that’s what this week was a celebration of,” said Sara Patrizio, a marketing major from Bucks County, Pa, and member of Alpha Sigma Tau sorority.

Learn more about ESU’s officially recognized Greek Life organizations, including information for families, at www.esu.edu/fraternity-sorority-life.

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