Volume 2, Issue 9

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Member of the Lambda Chi chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho

 Sigma Gamma Rho Reactivates Chapter

Ashley Tyler

Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. was organized on November 12, 1922 in Indianapolis, IN at Butler University.  It is a social sorority with the core values of sisterhood, scholarship and service.  Sigma Gamma Rho has become an international service organization comprised of women from every profession.  Sigma Gamma Rho offers its members opportunities to develop their unique talents through leadership training and involvement in sorority activities.

The founders believed that the self-respect, knowledge and discipline gained through study would help individuals to recognize their duty and responsibility for their society.  Thus, Sigma Gamma Rho was founded on the precept of education and continues to promote and encourage high scholastic attainment.  Sigma Gamma Rho’s commitment to service is expressed in its slogan, “Greater Service, Greater Progress.”   The sorority has a proud history of offering service wherever chapters exist, including Operation Big Book Bag, a program designated to address needs, challenges and issues that face school-aged children who are educationally at-risk in local homeless shelters and extended care hospitals.  Other national projects include Wee Savers, Project Reassurance and Habitat for Humanity.

Lambda Chi is the chapter at Middle Tennessee State University and it was founded in 1990.  This semester marks the reactivation of the chapter since its inactivity.  The sorority will be participating in homecoming activities such as the step show.  They are excited about being reactivated and having events on campus.  Keep your eyes open and be looking for them around campus.  Also take a look at their website for more information at http://www.sgr1922.com/.

Greek of the Week:

Spencer Wood

Ashley DeSabetino

This week's Greek of the Week, Spencer Wood, has used his position as a Senator to improve our campus for the future.   Spencer is a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon and currently serves as the Scholarship Chair and he is actively involved with the Greek Life Task Force.  In addition to his fraternity he serves the Blue Raider community as a representative for the College of Mass Communication in the Student Government Association.

The 69^th Congress of the SGA Senate voted unanimously to place the referendum on the fall election ballots.  Spencer Wood was the senator who sponsored the legislation to place the referendum on the ballot for the campus wide vote.  Spencer spent hours marketing the idea to his peers.  He spoke at different campus organization meetings, he personally erected a flag in the future site of construction and created a facebook group in support of the project.  All of Spencer’s hard work paid off when the referendum passed.

“It’s wonderful to see that students agree with the necessity for our Student Union Center," Wood said.  "Not only will we be able to remain competitive with other universities, but more importantly will we be able to provide students with the social, academic and communicative possibilities for growth that constitute our Student Union Center’s foundation.  This is exactly what the college experience should entail,” he added.

Spencer Wood is currently a senior and will not see the construction of the Student Union Center but his dedication and college loyalty will benefit future generations.  As a Recording Industry Major Spencer plans to be successful and have a great time doing it!

Spencer Wood with the flag he placed at future site of the Student Union Center

Alpha Chi Omega, Beta Theta Pi, Sigma Pi and Lambda Theta Alpha win 1st at  Fight Song this past Saturday

Ashley DeSabetino

To initiate the homecoming activities, numerous Greek organizations performed “Fight Song” as they traveled through the decades. Performances included time spans ranging from the roaring 1920s to the more recent 1990s.  Alpha Chi Omega, Beta Theta Pi, Sigma Pi and Lambda Theta Alpha took home the first place trophy with their ‘80s-themed performance. 

Fight Song is an annual performance where organizations create a routine that reflects the year’s Homecoming theme. Students adapt the words of Fight Song to whatever music they desire.  “I think this is a great way to kick off the homecoming activities because it really promotes school spirit,” said Josh Mckenzie, member of Sigma Nu and participant in Fight Song. 

In addition to Fight Song, the student organizations have been working on Homecoming floats since October 18 and the agenda does not stop there.  The floats with be displayed during the Homecoming parade on game day.  Homecoming is a time for current students and faculty to unite with alumni and the surrounding community to celebrate MTSU.

Greek Life Internships Available

The Office of Greek Life will have a number of internships available to interested students next semester.  Student interns are responsible for a number of important projects within the Office of Greek Life.

Three different types of internships are available through a number of campus departments.

The “Letters” Editor is a 3 credit hour graded internship through the English Department. The editor is required to spend 10 hours per week in the design, writing and publication of the weekly Greek Life newsletter.  The internship is open to any English/Writing major or minor.  The internship coordinator is Dr. Ron Kates, and he can be contacted 898-2595.

There is also a newly created Ad Sales Internship through the Department of Management and Marketing.  The Ad Sales Internship is a paid, for credit internship available to any management, marketing or entrepreneur major with at least 90 credit hours and a 2.5 cumulative GPA.  The ad sales manager will be responsible for selling advertising to local businesses for the Greek Life newsletter and will work 15-20 hours per week.  Compensation is based on commission.  For more information, contact Dr. Jill Austin at 898-2736.

There are also internships available for any student in the Leadership Minor program. Leadership interns assist the Greek Life staff in the planning and implementation of events such as Greek Leadership Summit, Greek Camp, Alpha Series and a number of other programs.  The Leadership Minor program is coordinated by Dr. Deanna Raffo and she can be contacted at 898-5786.

Any other student interested in interning can submit a proposal for a service-learning internship.  Service learning interns are responsible for the planning and coordination of special projects within the Office of Greek Life.  Interested students can contact Dr. Ron Kates, the service learning coordinator, at 898-2595.

“Serving as a Greek Life intern has been a great experience,” said Jeanne Joidin, a current leadership intern.  “It has been a great way to learn more about the inner workings of the administration and to see the big picture of how our Greek community is moving forward.”

For more information about any of the internship opportunities, students can contact Gentry McCreary, Director of Greek Life, at 898-5812.