Greek life thriving

Revitalized environment is catalyst

 

June 17, 2010--Fading fast are the days when Greek life at Trine University meant tiny rooms in a drafty, century-old clapboard house. With the completion of several brand-new fraternity houses, and the founding of a national sorority chapter, Greek life at Trine has experienced a marked resurgence.

But while gorgeous new houses built by Delta Chi, Sigma Phi Epsilon and Phi Kappa Theta on Darling Street and Kappa Sigma on Kinney Street provide gracious living and give campus a new look, that’s not the whole story on the growth of Trine’s eight fraternities and six sororities.

 

Kappa Sigma house

 

Delta Chi house

 

Phi Kappa Theta house

 

Sigma Phi Epsilon house

 

They’re growing because students like the upgraded Greek life, and are staying at Trine to strengthen their connection to special friends and to begin building a post-graduation support structure through their collective families and friends. Because the chapters are retaining their members, they can launch much more virile recruitment strategies as new students join campus life each year, thereby increasing their ranks. Retention also leads to a much more powerful and organized governing body, which strengthens the chapters as well.

Through an amiable partnership with the university, fraternity and sorority members enjoy the same Student Life activities, athletic events, campus safety services and rich academic life as their campus-housed counterparts. Students are enjoying a college experience like nothing in the university’s history, due to efforts to enhance campus life.

But young people need to give back, and Trine Greeks have ample opportunities to serve their communities. Trine’s Delta Chi chapter, for example, received the President’s Cup, the highest award bestowed by the international fraternity, this year for the ninth time in 11 years. Delta Chi brothers also host a 5K run for charity, raising $3,500 last year alone. In its first year, the Alpha Sigma Tau national sorority chapter earned Trine University’s President’s Cup for excellence.

Alumni brothers and sisters see their chapters’ successes, and support them through donations, job opportunities and mentoring to encircle them with the resources for success. With the support of alumni, the university and community, the future burns brightly for Trine Greek organizations.