Greeks to participate in annual weeklong events this week

Panhellenic Association and Interfraternity Council Officers will be hosting Emporia State’s annual Greek Week events April 14-17.

“It’s a week where all the Greeks on campus come together to compete in different activities,” said Jessica Steffan, PHA chair and a junior marketing major. “Also, there is a banquet to recognize accomplishments and give out awards.”

According to Jason Bosch, director of student involvement for Greek Life, Penny Wars will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Thursday in the Memorial Union. Each competing chapter will have its own jar to collect change. The winning chapter members will donate the contents to a charity of their choice.

“It’s a fun week to bring Greek chapters together, have fun and wrap up the year with an awards ceremony,” Bosch said.

Today at 4 p.m., chapter members will participate in a sand volleyball tournament at the Morse Hall volleyball pit. Bosch said that other students are welcome to watch the tournament.

The Mr. and Mrs. ESU pageant will be held at 7 p.m. in the Memorial Union Webb Lecture Hall. This activity is sponsored by Order of Omega and is open to all students. There is a $2 charge to attend, and the proceeds will go into a scholarship fund. The coordinators sent out applications to the recognized student organizations for anyone interested in running. Eight students submitted applications wherein they were required to answer questions regarding their involvement around campus.

“Those eight will be judged on choice of outfit, stage presence, talent, public speaking ability and partially on their application,” Bosch said.

On Tuesday at 6 p.m., a cookout and tailgate party will be held in the recreation center parking lot. Bosch said the fraternities will be participating in an iron chef competition, and the sororities will be holding a lip synching contest. This event is open only to Greek chapter members.

Greek games will commence at 4 p.m. Wednesday. First, a canoe race will take place at Wooster Lake. After the race, relays and a tug-of-war contest will be held in Welch Stadium at 5 p.m. Bosch said only chapter members are allowed to participate, but all students are welcome to observe.

On Thursday, a Greek banquet will conclude the week’s activities at 6:45 p.m. in Webb Lecture Hall. During the banquet, the yearly awards will be presented. In addition, two chapter members will be named Greek god and goddess. During the week’s events, each chapter may select one person to run for this position while competing.

Asa Phillips, junior business administration major and Kappa Sigma chapter member, is signed up to participate in the sand volleyball tournament and a hotdog eating contest.

“I’m anxious and excited,” Phillips said. “It’s my first year to participate.”

Bosch said, although this is his first Greek Week, he expects the turnout for the pageant and other events to be substantial. During last year’s events, approximately 150 students attended the Mr. and Mrs. ESU pageant. The other events also had high participation of 100-200 students.

According to Steffan, Greek Week is recognized by campuses nationwide. However, the Greek communities celebrate the week at different times throughout the year and participate in different activities.