Greek Life at UE

Greek Life at UE

By Cindy White

Cindy White with her big Anne-Marie Shulz

Bows, designer clothes, meeting boys, and socializing. That’s all Greek life is about, right?

         Wrong.

         I speak from my experience as a Greek woman here at the University of Evansville when I say that Greek life is so much more than that. In reality, Greek life goes far beyond the stereotype portrayed in the media. Growing up, I thought sororities were just for wealthy party girls- not me at all. Towards the end of my senior year, a few of my teachers asked me if I planned on going through recruitment at UE. I respectfully told them, “no, Greek life is not for me.” I even chose a private college over a state school partly because I knew there was no pressure to go Greek.

         Flash forward to the week after move-in. I was finished with my first three days of college and still adjusting to life on campus. I was the only person in my graduating class to come to UE, so I felt a bit lonely. I’m an outgoing person and have no trouble meeting people, but I still felt like I had to constantly keep up with high school friends to avoid feeling lonely at school. I didn’t have a deep connection with any friends quite yet, and I wasn’t sure how to find my niche.

         As I sat in my room hanging up pictures from high school, I realized I needed to be a part of something bigger here at UE. I called my mom in tears, missing home and my life in Louisville, and she mentioned sorority recruitment. She reminded me that my aunt was in a sorority in college and absolutely loved it. I told her I would try it out, but I was only going to do it to meet other people. I had no intentions on joining a Greek organization.

         On the first night of recruitment, I went in with no expectations. At each suite, I was my normal, bubbly self and had great conversations with the sorority women. I ended up loving getting to know girls in each sorority and I eventually chose the organization I am now in. On preference night, I felt such a deep connection with the women I now call my sisters. Their values and standards resonated with my own, and I really liked their emphasis on service and sisterhood.

         I chose to do recruitment for the opportunities to meet new people, but now I see that it provides so much more. Recruitment not only helped me find my place at UE, but it also opened my eyes to what Greek life is actually about. Greek life at UE motivates me to serve my community and improve my personal and professional images. I love the social aspect of Greek life, but my organization provides much more than that. I truly believe that being a part of Greek life will help me graduate as a well-rounded young woman.

         Sisterhood, community service, professional connections- these are just a few benefits of Greek life at UE. I didn’t think of myself as the sorority type, but now I’m proud to call myself a sorority woman. I’m so thankful for the opportunities my sorority provides for me and I can’t wait to see what’s in store for the next two years at UE. I am a sorority woman, and I am proud of that!