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ATM_3_11_greekfeat.indd 52 4/21/11 3:54 PM TEXAS AGGIE GREEKS: YESTERDAY,TODAY AND TOMORROW By Kylene Helduser ’11

1. and sorority members of the Multicultural Greek Council gather on sorority row after the Annual Greek canned food drive. Since 2007, more than 30,000 pounds of food has been collected in partnership with local philanthropies. 2. Members of sorority pose in their famous “Kappa Picker” overalls. The Kappa Pickers song and dance troupe performs at Greek events across campus. 3. During the semiannual Interfraternity Council Bid House celebration, which concludes the end of formal recruitment, members of Epsilon are excited to offer their newest pledges invitations to join their fraternity. Epsilon was the fi rst Greek organization to colonize at Texas A&M in 1973. 4. Brittany Burns ‘12 and Crissa Woodruff ‘11 of served as the Panhellenic delegates for their sorority. Each of the 12 Collegiate Panhellenic Council sororities nominates two women annually to serve as liaisons between the council, potential new members and active members. Photo by Michael Smith 5. After receiving invitations to join a sorority, women gather during Bid Day at their respective houses to PHOTO BY MICHAEL SMITH celebrate. Pictured are members of After fi ve long days of formal recruitment, The Association of Former in 1981. Students hosted Bid Day 2010 on the Haynes Ring Plaza, where hundreds of potential new sorority members waited to receive their “bids” to join various Collegiate Panhellenic Council-governed chapters.

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ATM_3_11_greekfeat_4-21.indd 53 5/18/11 5:08 PM The Association of Former Students hosts the Aggie Greek Weekend Reunion at the Clayton W. Williams Jr. Alumni Center, giving former and current Aggie Greeks a chance to network and reconnect.

exas A&M University prides itself on being an institution unlike any other, and an important part of that uniqueness is “the other education”—the more than 800 student organizations that provide virtually unlimited opportunities to get involved and learn leadership skills. Over the past four decades, tens of thousands of Aggies have sought these opportunities through the A&M’s and sororities, a system of organizations collectively known as Greek Life. The numbers speak for themselves. Membership in Greek organizations is holding at about 12 percent of the A&M student body. The number of Aggie Greek alumni now tops 25,000. And as befi ts A&M’s unique history and culture, Tthe Greek system at A&M is unlike those at other educational institutions. They are not 1. Members of escort their spring 2011 pledge class down the just Greeks; they are Aggie Greeks. steps of the Jack K. Williams Systems A&M’s fraternities and sororities are visible on campus and integrated into the Administration Building. In a long-time University in a way that was once unimaginable. That integration came about through IFC Bid House tradition, new members of the hard work of hundreds of leadership-minded Aggies who took the initiative to bring each fraternity are presented to a crowd of hundreds. values-based, national Greek organizations to campus. 2. fraternity struck oil in the early 1980s on the property where their fraternity Building Leaders Of Character house once stood. The Sigma Chi No. 1 well In the late 1960s, Texas A&M experienced fundamental changes to its culture and pumped 300 barrels a day. 3. Traditionally, IFC fraternities and CPC traditions. Membership in the Corps of Cadets became optional, and women were sororities team up annually for Big Event. allowed full admission. The fi rst female Aggies encountered a collegiate experience quite These three fraternity brothers from Phi different from those at historically co-ed institutions. Gamma Delta (known as the Fijis) worked “Women who attended A&M at that time were real trailblazers, true leaders,” said with Chi Omega sorority in the local community. Greek Life Director and alumnus Ann Goodman, who has spent more than 4. National Pan-Hellenic Council student 23 years working to make Greek Life at Texas A&M fl ourish. “The women at that time leaders participated in fall 2010 in the sought to create a niche, a place they could call home.” annual African American Student Leadership These trailblazers quickly discovered that Texas A&M at that time offered virtually Institute retreat, which cultivates leadership and professional skills. no formal organizations specifi cally for women, and many felt as though they were 5. New and active members of Delta Delta left to make connections and build networks on their own. A group of about 50 local Delta sorority enjoy their 1983 Bid Day. women who had had Greek experiences at other universities sought to address that need by bringing a handful of nationally anchored Greek sororities to the male-dominated campus of Texas A&M, providing opportunities for Aggie women to get involved. With their help, nine off-campus sororities had been chartered by 1975. The next step for these sorority women was to seek housing and meeting space, similar to “sorority rows” at other universities. In 1978, three chapters applied for and eventually received construction permits from the College Station Planning and Zoning Commission. They planned a “Greek village,” complete with Greek-themed street names such as Athens Drive and Olympia Way. A plot was eventually staked 54 TEXAS AGGIE | MAY-JUNE 2011 AGGIENETWORK.COM

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ATM_3_11_greekfeat.indd 55 4/21/11 3:56 PM out, and today Bryan-College Station apply people’s specifi c skillsets to 20,000. But not all Aggies reacted with is home to 12 sorority houses. The certain leadership positions in the enthusiasm to the success of the various sorority women of A&M had gained a fraternity was vital to its success. Greek organizations on campus. place to meet and call home. We got together, looked around at A dominant issue was whether But Aggie women weren’t the everybody and asked, ‘Who’s going to these fraternal organizations should only ones seeking interaction and do what?’” be recognized as offi cial student involvement opportunities outside At this time, the A&M fraternity organizations. Fraternities, lacking the the Corps of Cadets. Many young and sorority chapters had little sororities’ housing and meeting spaces, non-reg males also wanted similar formal relationship to the University were more eager for that to happen; opportunities. Scott Kleberg ’80, hierarchy. Meetings took place off they sought formal recognition in a founding father of Phi Gamma campus, membership pushes were order to be able to use campus meeting Delta and today a board member strictly through word of mouth, places, to advertise on campus and to for The Association of Former and the student leaders were self- get cheaper rates for advertisements in Students, attributes the formation of starters with minimal support from the student newspaper, The Battalion. his fraternity to a desire to exercise administration. Even so, membership Sororities were less enthusiastic about leadership skills among his pledge skyrocketed. formal recognition, unsure about brothers. “It was the fi rst time that giving up ultimate fi nancial oversight there was something to be involved Seeking Respect to the A&M’s Student Finance Center. in, other than the Corps, for young And Recognition “When I joined , men. A real group for us to lead, all A&M’s small Greek community grew it was fall of 1984 and sororities on our own,” he said. “When we fi rst to an estimated 2,000 students by the were already well-established,” said got together as a group, there weren’t early 1980s, paralleling the growth of Jennifer Lindsay ’88, a member of The Association of Former Students Board very many of us, so learning how to the entire student body to more than of Directors.. “They had been around for nearly 10 years and had a ‘sorority AGGIE GREEKS AT A GLANCE row’ of houses to live and meet in. Division of Student Affairs There wasn’t quite the negative vibe toward us that surrounded the fraternities. The University was Department of Greek Life incredibly accepting of women at that time and wanted them to have a place to get involved, whereas the main activity for men was the Corps of Cadets.” She recalled the slogan on a popular COLLEGIATE INTERFRATERNITY NATIONAL MULTICULTURAL PANHELLENIC COUNCIL COUNCIL PAN-HELLENIC COUNCIL GREEK COUNCIL T-shirt seen all over campus: “Rent a (Sorority Chapters) (Fraternity Chapters) (Historically African (Multicultural Fraternity Friend, Join a Frat.” American Fraternity & & Sorority Chapters) Sorority Chapters) The same year of Lindsay’s sorority initiation, other nontraditional student organizations were struggling to • • • • BETA TAU OMEGA gain offi cial recognition on campus. • ALPHA DELTA PI • • ALPHA • BETA XI CHI Favorable court rulings emboldened • • • • CHI OMEGA fraternity leaders who hopefully • • • BETA • and enthusiastically sought formal • • • recognition as well. In 1985, the • • • • DELTA National Pan-Hellenic Council—an • • • • OMEGA organization of traditionally black • FARMHOUSE • • fraternities—applied for and received • KAPPA ALPHA ORDER GAMMA BETA • KAPPA ALPHA THETA • recognition. The Interfraternity • • KAPPA DELTA • Council was recognized in 1987, • • • KAPPA KAPPA GAMMA • followed in 1991 by the Collegiate • • Panhellenic Council, the governing • PI BETA PHI • • body for sororities. • ZETA BETA SIGMA • • The fi ght for formal recognition • • RHO DELTA CHI • and then for acceptance on campus • • SIGMA CHI was itself a lesson in leadership. • • Kleberg noted that his fraternity was • one of the fi rst to have members who • SIGMA PI participated in both Greek Life and the Corps of Cadets. “I’m sure they

56 TEXAS AGGIE | MAY-JUNE 2011 AGGIENETWORK.COM

ATM_3_11_greekfeat_4-21.indd 56 5/18/11 5:12 PM probably caught some fl ak for doing chapter and sisters nationwide, I relatives were also Aggie Greeks. both, but they learned to be above it. have a real affi nity for it.” Greek “For example, part of my daughter’s We just have to remember that we are chapters at Texas A&M support a decision to go Greek at A&M was Aggies fi rst; then cadets or fraternity wide range of charities, from St. because she knew my experience in a brothers or whatever else.” Jude Children’s Research Hospital fraternal organization was positive,” and The Make-A-Wish Foundation said Miles Marks ’79, president of the Service And Excellence to The Children’s Museum of the 12th Man Foundation and a member Like Aggies in other campus Brazos Valley and The Barbara Bush of Beta Theta Pi. “But what was organizations, the members of A&M’s Parent Center. really special was getting to watch Greek community strive for excellence The 56 chapters that make up her have just as great of a time with in all endeavors. “The drive to be A&M’s Greek community also serve it as I did,” he said. This developing excellent in all things comes from together as one. “I think the best legacy within the Greek system a desire to represent your chapter, example of a service event Greek promotes a stronger sentiment Texas A&M and, most importantly, to Life puts on, as a whole,” Zuniga said, toward Texas A&M, lending to a represent yourself well,” Lindsay said. “is the annual Aggie Greek Service greater duty for current students to Today, most Aggie Greeks are Trip,” when more than 100 Aggie give back to their alma mater. involved in service organizations Greeks spend their spring break In 2010, many Aggies came together outside of their fraternity or sorority. partnering with service organizations for the fi rst Aggie Greek Weekend, Many leadership positions in across the country and giving back an Association-hosted reunion of infl uential student organizations, to communities in need. In 2011 and former students who participated including Student Government, previous years, the group has traveled in the A&M’s Greek system. A key Muster Committee, Big Event and to coastal areas in Texas, helping driver behind the reunion was Shelley Carpool, have been or are now held by to rebuild communities affected by Potter ’78, an Aggie Chi Omega charter students who also made the decision hurricanes Katrina and Rita. member and the 2009 chair of The to “Go Greek!” Most chapters require Logan Campbell ’10, an alumnus of Association’s Board of Directors. The Greek reunion is intended to be an involvement in supplementary student the Kappa Alpha Order and two-year annual event, with The Association organizations as a prerequisite to leader of the Aggie Greek Service providing a place for former and participating in chapter events. Trip alongside Brian Smith ’10 of Phi current Aggie Greeks to gather, While balancing commitments Gamma Delta, says that it was their reminisce and enjoy the successes in and outside their chapter, Aggie fraternities that gave them the skills of the Aggie Greek system. The Greeks also must focus on academics. necessary to serve selfl essly. “They Association also provides another “We are proud that the all-Greek GPR taught us about leadership, academics, avenue for Greek former students to is on par with the all-student GPR,” and giving back to the community,” he reconnect through the Greek Former said. “Those core values were instilled holding annually at right under a 3.0, Student Network, headed up by Will in me when I was growing up and said Nick Zuniga ’09, an alumnus of Oliver ’91, Sigma Phi Epsilon alumnus. Lamda Chi Alpha and now assistant reaffi rmed through Greek Life.” Many former students agree that director in A&M’s Offi ce of Greek Life. their positive fraternal experience Mandatory study hours and minimum Loyalty To Fraternity, inspires them to stay connected and GPR requirements are nothing new Friends And Alma Mater give back to Texas A&M. “It was a for Aggie Greeks, who must meet their Through academics, selfl ess support group to survive the onslaught chapter’s academic goals in order to service and constantly striving to be that is a freshman year at Texas remain active. better, Aggie Greeks have developed A&M, and many of my brothers still The members of A&M’s undeniably strong ties to the support me in my endeavors today,” fraternities and sororities are also University. said Kamal Ariss ’83, a founding expected to demonstrate the core “I think the Greek experience is father of Beta Theta Pi and a board Aggie value of selfl ess service. Each and continues to be a phenomenal member at The Association. “It was year, A&M’s Greek community gives opportunity for students to engage a fantastic experience due in part by thousands of dollars and thousands in, as our Greek community is setting the networking and bonding with my of hours of service to philanthropy, a cohesive vision for what we want brothers. It is a life loyal experience, not often to a specifi c charity that is to look like, fi ve years, 10 years from just a college one.” also supported nationwide by other now,” Goodman said. “Current Goodman said Greek Life adds a chapters of that fraternity or sorority. students are thankful for the support richness to the Aggie experience as a “Each of us, as a chapter, has a they are getting from Greek former whole: “When you get to be a member unique philanthropic connection students, but are craving more, as we of something that’s bigger than point, and for Alpha Delta Pi, it’s the are beginning to implement formal yourself…that’s pretty special.” Ronald McDonald house,” Lindsay programs that connect the current and former.” said. “So there’s this connection Kylene Helduser ’11 is a communications And now A&M is experiencing with such a great philanthropy student assistant at The Association of Former that I wouldn’t necessarily have its fi rst wave of second-generation Aggie Greeks: new students Students and a member of Delta Delta Delta chosen to contribute to on my own. sorority. She graduates in May. But because of the ties back to my attending A&M whose parents and

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