Click above to learn more about Family Weekend!

Volume 4, Issue 3

Family Weekend Is Approaching

Jonathan Joy, Sarah Russell

Although most members of the Greek community are focusing their efforts on fraternity and sorority recruitment, another important weekend is just around the corner.  Family Weekend at MTSU is scheduled for October 5-6 and features many events that parents and students can enjoy. 

Family Weekend gives parents the opportunity to visit the campus and learn more about the new experiences their child is having here at MTSU.  The Office of New Student and Family Programs has planned an exciting weekend that will come to a finale with the AO∏ Smoke Arthritis BBQ, followed by the MTSU vs. Virginia football game.

The AO∏ BBQ will be held in Walnut Grove on October 6 from 2:00 to 5:00 pm.  Teams have signed up to compete for the title of the best BBQ on campus.  All of the proceeds from the event will benefit arthritis research.

“We are hoping to go beyond and above our donations from past years to benefit arthritis research,” said Amanda Newell, a member of AO∏.  Last year’s proceeds reached an estimated $17,000.  Tickets for the event are only $7.00

In addition to the football game and tailgating festivities, scheduled events for the Family Weekend include:

Friday, October 5

MTSU Women’s Chorale

7:30, Wright Music Building

Saturday, October 6

Registration Brunch and Silent Auction

9:30-12:30, Murphy Center

The Sound of Music presented by MTSU Opera Theater

2:00, Wright Music Building

Dinner and Tailgating

AO∏ Smoke Arthritis BBQ

5:00, Walnut Grove

MTSU v. Virginia

6:00, Floyd Stadium

Family Weekend packages are only $35 for each family member and students can attend all events for free with a student ID.  To register, fill out the form found at www.mtsu.edu/~NSFP by September 28!

GreekFest Returns as a Success

Whitney Carr

Last week, GreekFest was brought back for the first time in four years. It was once an annual tradition that was well loved by Greeks and potential Greeks alike. But somehow, it got lost in the mix. Now that it’s made a comeback, I believe Greek Fest will once again be a regular event here on campus. The team that put this mixer/informational event/dance party together consisted of members from all three Greek councils, headed by the ever present Lauren Ruth. It was a challenge to pull something like this off, especially with rain.

“Time and money were the biggest constraints. I loved doing it, it was stressful but I loved it,” Ruth said.

Because of the rain, more money was spent to reserve the JUB and make other accommodations. The council is still looking for donations from all Greek organizations to help pay for the event. Aside from money and a limited time frame, Ruth thinks it was all worth it.

“Seeing it all come together and seeing every organization come together and all understood each other that night was great. It was really laid back and every one had a fun time. The turn out was better than expected when it comes to Greeks as a whole.”

If you were there, you know how many people showed up. It took 10 minutes to walk from one side of the Tennessee room to the other because Rho Sigmas, potential new members, fraternity and sorority members, NPHC line dancers and executive officers were everywhere. GreekFest was a wonderful and unique event that brought us all together and really united everyone as a Greek community. Good job to the ladies and gentlemen who put this show together.

Greek of the Week: 

Lauren Ruth

Sarah Russell

Following the successful return of GreekFest, this Greek of the Week was an obvious choice.  As GreekFest Coordinator, Lauren Ruth combined her fun, outgoing personality with hours upon hours of hard work to create an event that the Greek community can be proud of.  Despite money constraints and uncooperative weather that forced the event inside, Lauren and the rest of the GreekFest committee made this year’s event the beginning of a new tradition at MTSU.

“For its first year back, GreekFest was amazing.  We started on the right foot and there are definitely things to build on for next year.  It was well worth all of the stress,” said Ruth.

But Lauren did not coordinate such a huge event on her own.  GreekFest would have been impossible without the help of Danny Bounds and Daniel Henderson, as well as the rest of the GreekFest committee.

“These guys were my wingmen.  Whatever I couldn’t do, they were right there to help me,” said Ruth.

Although Lauren is highly involved within the Greek community as Panhellenic Secretary, GreekFest Coordinator, and positions within her sorority (she is currently disaffiliated for recruitment), her activities stretch far beyond Greek Life.  Lauren has served as an SOA, was a senator for SGA, was a cheerleader for MTSU, and is now a DJ for 88.3 WMTS, writes for the Independent Raider, and is a Pike Garnet Girl.  In addition to all of her on campus activities, Lauren somehow finds time to also work as a dancer for the Nashville Predators.  Lauren stresses the benefits of becoming involved outside of your individual sorority or fraternity.

“When you are involved in your sorority, you get to know one group of people really well, and that’s great.  But when you branch out, you get to make even more friends and experiences.  I also think it’s good PR for Greek Life because you are able to break some of the stereotypes people have.”

Thanks to Lauren’s hard work within the Greek community and around campus, she continues to break stereotypes and create a positive image for Greek life at MTSU.

Rowdy Raiders Reminder

Whitney Carr

For the one, true, pride of the blue MTSU Raiders ride!!! We all know the song, and most of us love to sing it, no matter what the football team is doing. MTSU is trying to increase school spirit and participation in athletics by bringing back Rowdy Raiders with vigor this year. For those of you who are clueless, as I previously was, Rowdy Raiders is for students who want to have VIP status when it comes to home athletic events. It doesn’t cost much to become one and you get a free shirt and priority seating just by swiping your student ID as usual. Rowdy Raiders also have their own tailgating tent before football games and are guaranteed a spot to sit, no matter how packed games get. More and more students, especially Greeks, are signing up. If you get an organization to participate with a certain amount of people the price for membership is only five dollars per person. This is a great privilege and a way to show that you bleed blue. Become a Rowdy Raider now by going by the Hall of Fame building and asking for Nikki.

Click above for more information about Blue Raider Athletics!

Reminders:

Don’t miss the Blue Raiders as they play in their first home football game of the season against Western Kentucky.  Kickoff is at 6 pm on Thursday September 20 at Floyd Stadium. 

Attention Rowdy Raiders!  Your priority seating section has been changed to Section 2G.  Arrive with your student ID before kickoff to ensure that you have a seat!

Fraternity Recruitment begins September 24!