By JJ MARSHALL

jjm023@latech.edu

 

Greek life continues to grow on Tech’s campus, as the Intrafraternity Council is reporting record numbers.

Dr. Dee Dee Anderson, dean of student development, said this year’s fall rush was a success.

“Since I started working with Greeks in 1998, this is the biggest group to go through,” Anderson said.

This year, 194 students completed rush, a slight jump compared to 137 last year.

“I am very pleased with the results this year,” she said.

Anderson attributes the larger numbers this year to the hard work of the members of the IFC.

“The IFC really worked hard this year; guys like Klark Kent, [IFC President], and other IFC members recruited well, and it shows,” Anderson said.

Jesse Petrus, secretary of the IFC and president of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity, said the high numbers are part of an ongoing effort to promote Greek life on campus.

“This has been one of the best rushes in a while,” Petrus, a junior accounting major, said.

Steven McKinney, program director of the IFC and president of Kappa Sigma fraternity, said availability has also helped put the word out about Greek life.

“We had more than one rush booth out this year,” McKinney, a senior English major, said.

“It was easier for freshmen to find where to sign up and get involved.”

More activities are being planned for Greeks than in the past, he said.

“We have more stuff going on in a few months this year than we did all of last year,” McKinney said.

One of the growing features that has contributed to the success of rush is Greek Alley.

Anderson said Greek Alley has shed the image of just being a tailgate party.

“It has evolved into a format that really works,” she said.

Sponsored by the IFC, Greek Alley is bringing most of the Greeks on campus together, Petrus said.

“Greek Alley is just a bigger deal this year for some reason,” Petrus said. “Everybody’s close, and it pretty much forces everyone to get along and have a good time.”

McKinney said getting the word out is something the IFC has been really focused on this year.

“We’re hoping to create a very strong Greek system,” McKinney said.

“One that we can all be proud of.”