A thriving Greek life community built upon the principles of brotherhood, sisterhood, goodwill, and service was featured in a friendly and high-spirited Greek Games that returned to campus after a lengthy absence.

And, in true Olympic Games fashion, the winning team, Alpha Tau Omega, wasn’t determined until completing the last of the 10 events. 

The day’s relay race and human pyramid contests required teamwork and athletic skill. Agility and determination were keys to success in the kickball and dodgeball events. Strategy and cleverness helped earn valuable points in the golf and cornhole challenges. And good old-fashioned fun was featured in a watermelon eating, music video (to Rihanna’s popular “Umbrella” song) and Minute to Win contests. 

With plenty of smiles to go around. 

“This is a nice break from our studies. Our members just have so much fun being around each other and doing things together,” said Alpha Omicron Pi sorority member Rose Burnham, a senior mechanical engineering major. She contributed points by representing her team in the eating contest and helped form the four-member foundational layer of the chapter’s human pyramid entry.

“We’ve practiced a little for some of the events. We have three tries to get everything together for the pyramid contest. We may fail on the first or second tries but should have everything together by the third. At least that’s the plan,” said Burnham, laughing while looking ahead to the rest of the day.

Other teams, like the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity, didn’t practice before arriving for the competition.

“We’re determining who might be the best fit for each contest or at least wants to give it a try,” said PKA member Jacob Durenberger, a sophomore mechanical engineering student. “Winning isn’t important. We’re here to have fun.” 

Winning the relay race and eating contest, Alpha Tau Omega scored a five-point victory over second-place Phi Gamma Delta fraternity (the dodgeball champion) in the overall competition. The Delta Sigma Phi fraternity was a close third after being a consistent point scorer in all events. The Delta Delta Delta sorority earned special recognition for being the Most Enthusiastic while Chi Omega took home the Sportsmanship award. Lambda Chi Alpha received Nice Try honors. 

Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students Erik Hayes stated the real “winners” are the students who gain valuable leadership skills, make lifelong friendships and work together to improve the campus and community through service projects provided by groups each school year. These events include assembling bicycles for Bikes For Tykes, hosting philanthropic events to support juvenile diabetes prevention and the Make-A-Wish Foundation, helping Trees Inc. planting trees throughout the city, campus beautification efforts, and delivering meals to homebound local residents.

“We’re fortunate to have such a vibrant Greek system that compliments everything we strive to achieve in building worthwhile student relationships on campus. They give back so much to the campus and community and are great ambassadors of Rose,” Hayes said.

Nearly one-third of the college’s student body are members of the 11 Greek social organizations (eight fraternities; three sororities), according to the Office of Student Affairs. 

Tri-Delta members are “a home away from home” for member Katrina Agustin, a senior mechanical engineering major. “I have found girls that I can call upon at any time to provide a helping hand when things get tough academically or personally. There’s a group that’s always in my corner and I appreciate that.” 

Junior sorority sister Kyra Hicks added, “There’s a tight bond within the group. We’re all in this together.”

The same relationship building can be found among the fraternities.

“There’s a brotherhood that never ends. You have a place to enjoy life and get away from the stresses of the day or week,” said Delta Sigma Phi member Nikita Egorov, a sophomore electrical engineering student. 

New Pi Kappa Alpha member Jonah Clark, a first-year mechanical engineering major, stated, “The fraternity is a nice change of pace from school. Being involved in this group has gotten me out to explore campus and make new friends. It has helped me enjoy the college experience.”