Following are two articles from "Ohio Today," the alumni magazine regarding the Ohio University Greek Hall of Fame and another looking to the future of the Greek System at Ohio. I think the latter does a nice job of showing some good and bad points of the system.
Outstanding accomplishments
Ohio University's Greek community honors three alumni
Ohio University's Greek community has inducted three of its members into the Greek Alumni Hall of Fame.
The 2003 awardees are Phi Kappa Tau's C. Brent DeVore, BSJ '62, president of Otterbein College in Westerville, Ohio, since 1984; Alpha Phi Alpha's Howard Nolan, BSAE '57, chief operating officer and managing partner of the Orlando, Fla., office of Moody/Nolan Limited Inc., an architectural firm based in Columbus; and Pi Beta Phi's Joan Herrold Wood, BSJ '52, of Sarasota, Fla., a former public relations and journalism executive in New York and Florida.
Over the course of more than 160 years, thousands of students have gained through their fraternity and sorority membership satisfaction in service to others, enlightenment through academic pursuit and competence in leadership. Their successes in life and continued support of their alma mater reflect the powerful potential of the Greek experience.
Rick Harrison, Phi Kappa Tau (Delt Alum Note: I know Rick who is a great guy and very supportive of Greeks on the campus) alumnus and assistant dean for development for the Division of Student Affairs, says that's one of the reasons that the Greek Alumni Advisers Committee, in conjunction with the Greek Community Council, developed the Greek Alumni Hall of Fame in 1999.
"Ohio University alumni who are members of the Greek community have proven to be some of the most accomplished and loyal graduates that we have," says Harrison. "Their achievements serve as an inspiration to current undergraduates and alumni and give us great pride."
Each year, Greek chapters or alumni nominate individuals for the Hall of Fame, and three recipients are chosen to represent each of the three Greek governing councils: the Interfraternity Council, Women's Panhellenic Association and National Pan-Hellenic Council. Recipients receive a plaque at an event that involves undergraduates from the alumni's respective chapters as well as University staff and other alumni.
Harrison added that when the new University Center is completed, a permanent display of the Greek Alumni Hall of Fame will be located outside of or near the Greek governing suite.
DeVore, Nolan and Wood join the following alumni members of the Greek Alumni Hall of Fame, listed in order of induction:
Leona Hughes, BSED '30, HON '01, Phi Mu; president of Hughes-Burnett Inc. and a longtime Ohio University benefactor and volunteer
Wilfred Konneker, BS '43, MS '47, HON '80, Delta Tau Delta; president of Konneker Development Corp., Manchester, Mo., and former director of Ohio University's Innovation Center (DeltAlum note: Brother Konneker and family also donated Konneker Center, the beautiful Greek Columned house
http://www.ohiou.edu/athens/bldgs/konneker.html that is home to the O.U. Alumni Association -- about three doors away from the present Delt Shelter
www.oudelt.com)
Frank Underwood, BSC '54, Alpha Phi Alpha; owner of Marimar Enterprises, Petersburg, Va., and retired U.S. Army colonel
Michael Schmidt, BBA '72, Beta Theta Pi; Aranda Group, Rydal, Pa.; retired third baseman with the Philadelphia Phillies; and member of the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Sandra Moon, BMUS '79, Chi Omega; internationally recognized opera singer
Patricia Ackerman, BA '66, Delta Sigma Theta; president and CEO of Chalkdust Inc.; member and former chair of the Ohio University Board of Trustees
Joan "Jody" Galbreath Phillips, BSED '46, Pi Beta Phi; a former University trustee and longtime Ohio University and Columbus philanthropist (DeltAlum note: Ms. Galbreath is the sister of the late Delt Brother John Galbreath, owner of Ky. Derby winner Darby Dan and former part owner of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Brother Galbreath also donated Galbreath Chapel, the non-denominational chapel on the College Green
http://www.ohiou.edu/athens/bldgs/gchapel.html)
Yvette McGee Brown, BS '82, Alpha Kappa Alpha; president of the Center for Child and Family Advocacy in Columbus
George Voinovich, AB '58, HON '81, Phi Kappa Tau; United States senator and former Ohio governor and Cleveland mayor
Donna Harris-Jones, BSC '80, Delta Sigma Theta; account executive with Xerox Corp and former alumni association board and alumni chapter officer
John Patrick Campbell, BGS '71, Beta Theta Pi; retired CEO and executive vice president of NASDAQ
Beth Stocker, BS '28, Phi Mu; longtime supporter of the Russ College of Engineering and Technology and numerous other Ohio University programs
Robert Walter, BSME '67, HON '97, Sigma Chi; chairman and CEO of Cardinal Health Inc. and vice chair of the Ohio University Board of Trustees
Vanessa Bell Calloway, BFA '79, Alpha Kappa Alpha; movie and television actress
And another article from the same magazine...
The next chapter
Investing in the future of Greek life at Ohio University
By Joan Slattery Wall and Sara Schonhardt
Ohio University became the second state university in the country to welcome college fraternities when Beta Theta Pi established a local chapter on campus in 1841. At the time, just 14 educational institutions nationwide were experimenting with this new type of social organization.
It soon became evident that the results of this foray benefited individual students and the University as a whole. The Greek system has enhanced the personal growth of thousands of students, sending them on to attain impressive careers and achievements and creating dedicated, loyal alumni -- factors that have impacted the University's growth and development.
Alumni interested in helping to develop the Greek Leadership Academy or otherwise support Greek life on campus should contact Rick Harrison at (740) 593-9755 or
harrison@ohio.edu.
Today, preserving Greek life's mission of scholarship, leadership and service directly affects 13.5 percent of Ohio University's undergraduate student body: Some 2,200 students hold membership in 32 chapters.
"Fraternities and sororities have been a constant source of student involvement and leadership development," says Dean of Students Terry Hogan. "They provide a unique place for students to learn and grow. In addition, they contribute to the campus community in important ways."
Greek alumni are profoundly affected by their experience, fondly remembering the lifelong friendships they made and the skills they learned that prepared them for a successful personal and professional life after graduation, he adds.
"We need to ensure that these opportunities continue to be available to students and that they continue to be positive," Hogan says. "We need to invest more time, money and effort in making this happen."
To that end, new campus initiatives are aimed at enhancing students' leadership skills, holding Greek organizations more accountable and enlisting the help of alumni as advisers and role models.
Ohio University faces the same issues -- hazing, alcohol, diversity, health and safety and academic achievement -- that challenge Greek communities nationwide.
"I think many of the national organizations and colleagues across higher education would agree that over the past 20 or 30 years, there's been a drift away from the founding principles of Greek organizations," Hogan says.
College of Business Dean Glenn Corlett, BBA '65, scholarship adviser for his fraternity, Beta Theta Pi, says his Greek activities were some of the most meaningful he had as a student, and he recognizes the risks that have arisen in recent years.
"You had responsibilities, you had authority, you had to lead people, and you developed skills that you can't develop in a classroom," he says. "I'm concerned the Greek system has lost its focus on the real reasons these organizations were founded in the first place, that they've now become just places to have parties together and go drinking. And that's unfortunate."
Students and University leaders are encouraging Greek organizations to return to their founding tenets -- and holding members accountable for meeting those goals.
"Fraternities and sororities and universities have a common ground: scholarship leadership and service are the most common principles," Hogan says. "So the question is, 'How do we help Greek organizations reshape themselves to be more clearly focused on those principles?'"
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