Events benefiting charities are some of the biggest yearly programs for fraternities and sororities.
By JJ Bowman
News Editor
Greek philanthropy season is about to kick into high gear as several fraternities and sororities have saved their biggest work for the end of Spring semester.
Over the next few weeks Alpha Phi, Beta Theta Pi, Kappa Kappa Gamma, Sigma Chi, and Delta Gamma will each run major events benefiting various philanthropic organizations.
Student Activities Coordinator Chris Van Velzer said philanthropy drives are key to Greek organizations.
“Beyond Homecoming, Song-fest and recruitment, philanthropy is almost always going to be their biggest event over the course of the year,” he said. “Some of these make a tremendous difference in the community.”
Delta Delta Delta, for instance, raised more than $3,000 during its Fashion for Life event, benefiting St. Jude’s Hospital and other cancer charities, Van Velzer said. Other events showcase the drive of Pepperdine students to give to the community.
Alpha Phi’s spring philanthropy event will benefit Hats off for Cancer, an organization that sorority member Tara Lawrence established when she was 14 years old.
Lawrence lost her grandfather to prostate cancer when she was 10 and has been active in the fight against cancer ever since. Alpha Phi decided to help her organization when she came to Pepperdine two years ago.
Beta has not had a major philanthropic event in years, but that will change March 22 when they sponsor a tennis tournament. Vice President Derek Olson said it was time for Beta to become more involved in the daily life of students.
“We want to reinstate our voice to the campus community,” he said.
Olson said Beta pledges Mark Brinkerhoff and Tyler Watters spearheaded the campaign for an ambitious philanthropic event on campus.
The tennis event will consist of a round-robin tournament of men’s and women’s singles and mixed doubles. Each tennis player is guaranteed three games after paying an entrance fee of $25 dollars for singles and $40 for mixed doubles.
Van Velzer said he was impressed with Beta’s desire to organize the tournament.
“They’ve set a real high standard for themselves to live up to in the future,” he said.
Kappa Kappa Gamma will host Kappa Kings March 27 in Elkins auditorium, an outrageous male-beauty pageant that judges representatives from various fraternities, athletic teams and the Student Government Association. In past competitions, participants have displayed some unique talents, Kappa philanthropy chair Elyse Horner said. For instance, one contestant drank five gallons of juice and then let everyone see it come right back up into a trash can seconds later.
The 2001 award winner junior Paris Dennard stole the show with his renditions of a dance in the style of Carlton Banks from Fresh Prince of Bel Air and the Tom Jones song, “It’s not Unusual,” modified for the audience.
Dennard said Kappa Kings was one of the best moments of his life. “The power of Tom Jones won the competition,” he said.
Sigma Chi will organize the seventh annual Run/Walk for Hope philanthropy event March 29. Coordinator for the event, Rich McPherson said his fraternity hopes to match in one day what the event has raised over the past six years. To do that, about $10,000 would have to be raised. Because of support from organizations throughout the community, McPherson said this is not an unreasonable goal. Furthermore, he said, after this year, Run/Walk for hope could become an event that Pepperdine is known for throughout the surrounding communities.
Delta Gamma will wrap up the spring philanthropy season with Anchor Splash, which takes place April 12. The event pits guys from various fraternities and other campus organizations in aquatic competitions such as synchronized swimming. Delta Gamma will be raising money for its national philanthropy, Service for Sight, which provides assistance to the blind.
Van Velzer said the personal commitment to philanthropy of students highlight the importance the Greek system on campus.
“Our groups make a distinct effort to try to make a personal impact rather than just donate a check,” he said.
Gamma Phi Beta, Sigma Pi Epsilon and Kappa Alpha Theta all had their major philanthropic events already this year. Sigma Nu is still working on a philanthropy event for this semester.
March 13, 2003