Greek life is often a place for students to find themselves. As new members of sororities and fraternities are joining, the seniors are preparing to say their goodbyes. The presidents of a few Greek groups share their insight before the school year is over, to discuss what Greek life meant to them. They reflect on their responsibility in the presidential position and shed light on what that entails. 

Sigma Pi Delta (Speed) president Kylie Radz reminisces on her experience pledging as a First-Year. She wasn’t expecting to go into Greek life and signed up just a day in advance. Initially, she was happy to be a part of Greek life since most of her friends were involved, too. Since then Speed has become a commitment that prepared Radz for the future and gave her connections and support.

“It’s a very good, professional connection that a lot of people don’t know about, and I always like to emphasize that because it’s not only a social group,” Radz said. “It goes so much more beyond that.” 

Speed prepared Radz professionally because it challenged her leadership abilities and taught her to problem solve. She knows she will need those skills for her career.

Similarly, Chi Alpha Pi (CAP) president Hannah Kwak said her sorority helped her actualize and grow into the best version of herself. CAP’s values helped Kwak become a more self-confident person and be comfortable talking with strangers and large groups of people. She knows that she can accomplish what she puts her mind to.

“Everyone in CAP is so supportive, and they’ve pushed me to run for positions which I think has really gotten me to where I’ve been today because they’ve been able to see my potential, which is not something that I was expecting,” Kwak said. 

Kwak believes that joining CAP was one of the most influential events that helped to change the trajectory of her life. This sorority allowed her to grow out of her shell by introducing her to people who encouraged her to become the person she is today. 

“It’s so nice to see everybody,” Kwak said. “Everyone walks in and it’s so happy and warm and welcoming, and I’m definitely gonna miss that because you can’t really find that anywhere else.”

Additionally, Phi Rho president Mary Emory believes that her sorority helped her to accomplish her goals. Phi Rho has been an amazing support system for Emory, and this group gave her the courage to become the person she wants to be.

“They’re the first ones to be supporting you on the sideline and cheering you on. They’ll announce it, they’ll text you,” Emory said.

Phi Rho has created a special place for Emory to find people who are like family to her. Being involved in this Greek group has sparked her desire to take a leadership role and give back to the community that gave her so much. 

As a president, there is a lot of pressure to make sure order is maintained while also handling multiple responsibilities. Many presidents put in hard work to plan out events and make sure they are holding members accountable. However, being able to hold such a large position is possible because of the endless positive reinforcement.  

Chase Clark, president of Gamma Alpha Beta (GAB) fraternity, believes that a lot of effort is put into organizing group-specific events such as GAB’s Buckethead.

“Buckethead is the big tradition over at the Smoking Dog. We would rent out the entire district and have a fundraiser for a summer camp, Camp Kesem, for kids whose parents have cancer,” Clark said. 

Among tasks like organizing events, proper scheduling can also be a challenging responsibility. Kwak had to learn how to delegate herself as a president by developing more time management and thoughtful organization. Being president, she tries to be there for her CAP siblings as much as she can. With them as a priority, Kwak needs to make sure that she is also there for herself at the end of the day. 

“You just have to remember to also take time for yourself,” Kwak said. “So I’m trying to satisfy at least just like an hour each day, to where I can just do no homework, no cleaning my house, nothing. Just me and whatever I want to do.”

Added presidential responsibility includes keeping members of the community in check, which means near constant communication with them. 

“It was a lot more planning ahead and making sure that I’m communicating with everyone [and] they’re communicating with me,” Radz said. 

It can be intimidating for First-Years to meet the presidents of their fraternity or sorority. Presidents go into their position knowing there’s a lot to be mindful of, including keeping the wellbeing of their group in check. Emory is part of a council that helps to facilitate those needs within the community. 

“First thing, if anyone has anything going on, I have made it very clear that they can always come to me,” Emory said. “I scheduled all the meetings. I look over and advise all the committees within and just make sure that we are covering the betterment of our community and our school.”

The majority of Greek life presidents are pushed out of their comfort zone, but in the best way possible. 

“I found my voice,” Emory said. “I felt heard and comfortable talking to each one of my sisters that have issues and [have] needed help.”

Leaving Greek life can be a challenge, especially when it is such a significant part of the president’s identity. Kwak would like to be seen as an influential leader and somebody that her group can always come to even when she is gone. 

“I hope that they’ll still reach out to me and fill me in on stuff and keep me in the loop,” Kwak said.

Clark feels a connection with his group and wants to keep his friendships even after college. Through charity events, he knows that he will be able to reconnect with his members and check up on them.

On top of that, Radz wants Speed to remember her as the funny person who could be the shoulder that people could lean on if they needed help, questions answered or problems resolved. She hopes that she left a little memory with each person in the group and she wants to encourage her members to live by a philosophy of seeking discomfort. 

“I will just tell Speed [to] push the boundaries of what you think is possible, because your best memories are going to be outside of your comfort zone.” Radz said. 

With this mindset, possibilities are limitless. Like Clark and Radz, Emory expresses her deep gratitude to her siblings. She advises her group to soak up every minute they have together, because in the blink of an eye it’s all over.

“I would hope that they remember me as someone who cared for them and supported them in any journey that they are going to be on. I will always be a cheerleader on the sidelines for them in the next 50 years to come,” Emory said.