Observation 8

This weekend a group of over 30 men were intiated as brothers in the Kappa Sigma fraternity at Florida Gulf Coast University. The installation of the Rho Zeta chapter at FGCU was an all day event. The initiation process was helped along by the Kappa Sigma chapters from NSU, Johnson and Wales University, and University of South Florida. The day began early with everyone meeting at 7:30am and not finishing till after 3pm. The whole day was the exact reason that all members joined Kappa Sigma, it was filled with ecxitment and brotherhood. Brothers gathered to help out people that they have never met before fufill their desire to become a member and brother of the Kappa Sigma fraternity.
For me it was a memorable experience. It gave me the chance to look back to the day that I was initiated on and allowed me to remeber and relive all those emotions that I had. Then seeing those same emotions on the faces of newly made brothers was really enjoyable. Everyone that participated had that same general positive feeling of accomplishment and brotherhood. I feel that it was truly the reason that many young men and women join a fraternity or sorority when they enter college. It puts you in connection with so many others that have had the same experiences as you and it gives you a family of friends to always be able to fall back on.
FGCU is just starting their journey as a chapter. Yet they have the same motivation and desire to wear their letters with pride and do great things. I walked away from this weekend with such pride in my letters and was able to have a renewed understanding of why I joined a fraternity.

Observation 7

Sunday night at 7:30pm the whole NSU Greek community got together for a night to socialize and celebrate. The gathering was for the end of the year Greek formal and awards banquet and to put a close on the 2010 Greek week. The week consisted of events that were designed to challenge the different organizations but also promote unity between them. Some of the evnets included a banner decorating contest, a brain bowl, and a Greek Olympics.
The banquet began with at 7:30 and everyone entered the second floor of the U.C for dinner and a brief period to socialize before the awards were handed out. Once everyone got their serving of food and took their seats the ceremony began. The Delta Phi Epsilon sorority girls were the big winners at the banquet. They took home multiple awards for achievemnts in philanthropy and recruitment just to name a few. For the men the Beta Theta Pi fraternity won awards like president of the year and come back chapter of the year.
The largest award of the night was the Greek lifetime acheivemnet award. The award is given to the Greek that has shown dedication, leadership, and has been a model Greek to look up to. Delta Phi Epsilon's senior sister Victoria Lafferty won the award. It was the ending to night that allowed all the Greeks to come together to show their spirit and support towards one another for the different events and accomplishments that were accomplished during the school year.