The Gary Inter-Greek Council believes in events that foster closeness among the nine historically black Greek-letter groups under its umbrella.

One of the most popular ways to promote unity is the annual All-Greek Picnic; the latest one was Saturday at Lake Etta County Park in Gary.

“The picnic has been going on for six years at this same location,” said Dharathula “Dolly” Harris, a Sigma Gamma Rho sorority member. “It was started by what is called the ‘Divine 9,’ which comprises nine organizations.”

Those are Alpha Kappa Alpha, Delta Sigma Theta, Zeta Phi Beta and Sigma Gamma Rho sororities and Alpha Phi Alpha, Kappa Alpha Psi, Omega Psi Phi, Phi Beta Sigma and Iota Phi Theta fraternities. At least two members of each served on the planning committee.

“This (picnic) is the result of the sororities and fraternities coming together for a common goal — fun, fellowship and togetherness — and to enjoy the great food,” Keisha White of Gary said.

Harris was chairwoman of this year’s picnic committee.

“This event was started as a way of thanking our members and their families and friends for their support of our programs in the surrounding areas — and just a way of having fun,” she said.

“I come to the picnic for many reasons, and one of the biggest is for the food,” Mary Walter of Gary said as she filled her plate with barbecue ribs, chicken and watermelon. “This is a great way to begin the afternoon — good food with good friends and a lot of activity afterward. I’m looking to dance; I’m ready.”

During the step and stroll competition, contestants used a five-minute time frame to entertain with steps, chants and song — sometimes in unison.

Before and after the games, disc jockey Shawn Nevins of Gary played dance tunes as well as easy listening music.

“It’s great to see everyone get up and dance, the older ones as well as the younger ones,” he said.

There was a clown and games for the children, as well as a playground area.

“This is wonderful for the whole family,” Ida Gillis of Highland said. “We have 25 to 30 of our members here today.”

Gillis is a Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority member. Her chapter, one of two AKAs in Gary, is an offshoot of the first black sorority, incorporated in 1908.

Fellow member Chelsie Fayson of Hobart served on this year’s planning committee.

“This is a great celebration — a chance to network, socialize, meet new friends and discuss some of our projects,” she said.

Those projects include fundraisers for scholarships and other community programs, Fayson said.

The All-Greek Picnic attendance grows each year, organizers said.

More than 350 people attended last year and at mid-day Saturday it looked as if that number would be matched, if not exceeded.

Harris added that the collaborative efforts of all the organizations benefit many people in the area.

“This shows we can all work together and achieve great things as a unified body,” she said. “All nine sororities and fraternities are service organizations that believe in scholarships as well as other projects, with the focus on service to our communities.”

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The memories of two former UL students were kept alive Wednesday evening during a special ceremony and forum focusing on domestic violence.

Keosha Spikes was only a few months away from a degree in business management in January 2008 when she was shot in her Lafayette apartment by a former boyfriend, Derrick Fland. Authorities said Fland later drove to his hometown of Bogalusa and committed suicide.

But although she is gone, Spikes’ spirit is not forgotten, especially in the minds of her sorority sisters from Delta Sigma Theta. Together with the National Pan-Hellenic Council, the organization has spent months raising funds to dedicate a bench in her name in front of Moody Hall on the UL campus.

“She was a part of the university, and her dream was to own her own business,” said Jillian Hawkins, president of the sorority, during a dedication ceremony Wednesday. “It’s appropriate that this bench in her name is here in front of Moody Hall.”

The building houses many of UL’s business classes.

Also remembered was Tonya Major, a UL nursing student who was shot to death in February 2008 at a Lake Charles home. Ricky Avrie, the father of her then-1-year-old son, was arrested a few days later and charged with second-degree murder in connection with her death.

Following the dedication ceremony, many gathered in the Bayou Bijou room at the UL Student Union for a special forum on domestic violence and ways it can be prevented. This is the third year that the forum, organized by Delta Sigma Theta, has been held.

Francesca Hamilton-Acker of Acadiana Legal Services said that women who have left an abusive relationship can seek help from the legal system if they are concerned for their safety, including having a protective order issued against their abuser.

Such orders can set certain specifications, such as limiting the abuser’s ability to go near the woman’s home or workplace or prohibiting him from seeing his children.

Reginald Mosely, who has worked extensively with young men in the community, said he has found that many children who witness domestic violence in their own homes are at a higher risk for becoming abusers themselves later in life.

“If we can grab these kids when they are young, we can prevent them from being a statistic later in life,” Mosely said.

Oftentimes, abuse begins by emotional or psychological means, Mosely said. That can include a man slamming doors or being controlling.

More than 100 Aggie Greeks – representing about 20 fraternities and sororities at Texas A&M University – will take part in the Second Annual Greek Life Mission Trip during their spring break. The group will be one of 30 national teams challenged with rebuilding hurricane-damaged homes and businesses in Lake Charles, La.

For the second year, Texas A&M University Greek student leaders Logan Campbell and Brian Smith have teamed up with the United Methodist Church Disaster Response Team to help those in need.

“‘Selfless service’ isn’t only a core value of Texas A&M University, but also a core value of Aggie Greeks,” said Campbell, a senior finance major who serves as president of the Interfraternity Council, the governing body for the nationally affiliated fraternities. “We had an extremely successful group travel to Galveston Island last spring, and this year we have doubled our attendance and have high hopes for success in Lake Charles.”

In 2009, the group partnered with South Texas United Methodist Disaster Response and provided service to homes and churches that included painting, carpeting, house framing and other light construction work.

Since Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Louisiana United Methodist Disaster Response has tackled relief and recovery efforts in South Louisiana that includes the involvement of more than 70,220 volunteers who provided 2.9 million hours of labor for a combined value of more than $54.6 million in relief.

“I’ve spent many summers and spring breaks giving back to those in need, and each year I learn more about myself,” said Brian Smith, a senior and member of Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity. “It is amazing to see so many of my fellow Aggie Greeks want to give back in the same manner as me, especially during their time off from classes.”

The mission trip is advised by Department of Greek Life Assistant Director Nick Zuniga, who also attended the trip in 2009. Though not part of his job description, Zuniga embodies the same sentiment as his students in giving back his time to help others.

“For me, it’s rewarding to see my students in action outside of their Greek leadership experience,” said Zuniga. “This trip allows me to get to know students on a higher level and I’m able to interact with students who I might not otherwise meet in my daily life. In the end, we’ve completed some life-changing work for families.”

Since November, Campbell and Smith have advocated to all 56 Greek organizations their intentions to gather a large body to attend the mission trip. Students attending the trip have paid $225 each to cover all their expenses for the mission trip.

The team leaves on Friday (March 12) and returns on March 17.

About the Department of Greek Life

The goal of the Department of Greek Life at Texas A&M University is to build an inclusive Greek community and enhance the collegiate experience by supporting opportunities for leadership, academic success, civic engagement and the creation of fraternal bonds. The Department’s 56 Greek organizations are classified into the four governing councils: Interfraternity Council, Collegiate Panhellenic Council, National Pan-Hellenic Council and Multicultural Greek Council.

Contact: Tura King, News & Information Services, at (979) 856-4670 or Nick Zuniga, Department of Greek Life, at (979) 862-5636.

Hundreds of students and guests came to Moore Gym on Thursday for the fourth annual
Stroll Competition presented by the Zeta chapter of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc.

Chapter member and Mister A&T, Austin James, hosted the show for the evening. The four National Pan-Hellenic Council sororities and the National Honorary Band fraternity Kappa Kappa Psi and sorority Tau Beta Sigma competed in the battle for the best strolls on campus.

The Alpha Phi chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. perform to “I Look Good” by Chalie Boy. They finished in second place.

The NPHC fraternities were unable to participate due to other engagements. Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. and Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc. were preparing for the Sprite Step Off in Atlanta, Ga. that took place during the same weekend. Iota Phi Theta Fraternity
Inc. was unable to participate since they were the host.

The night began with Iota Phi Theta Fraternity Inc. strolling and performing their signature
“Centaur walk.” The first round of competition consisted of each organization performing to a song of their choice.

Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc. performed first, followed by Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity Inc., Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc., Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., and Tau Beta Sigma National Honorary Band Sorority Inc. Some of the songs chosen included “How Low Can You Go” by Ludacris and “Imma Be” by the Black Eyed Peas.

In the second round, a random song was played for each group to perform to. After each organization performed their second stroll, the third round began with each organization having to perform to the same song, “All the Way Turnt Up” by Travis Porter. This round, the organizations went full force, including acrobatics and moves that acknowledged
the other organizations.

After each group performed, there was a brief intermission in which members of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. performed their signature hop to “Atomic Dog” and members of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc. hopped to “Back That Thing Up.”

A sound level meter was used to determine the winner based on audience applause. After each group was called out and the crowd responded, the meter determined whom
the winner would be.

James announced the Alpha Mu chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. as the winners with 113 points. The Alpha Phi chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. came in second with a close 112 points.

Click the organization name to view their team page.

The University of Toledo community raised $700 to donate to Haiti through a pancake dinner fundraiser Thursday night.

The dinner took place in the dining hall of the Horton International House, from 10 p.m. until midnight and each student paid $4 to attend the midnight dinner.

The event was organized through the collective efforts of several student organizations including the student Christian group Zakuska, the Latino Student Union, Saudi Club, Muslim Student Association, African Peoples Association, Chinese Student Association, Indian Student Cultural Organization, National Pan-Hellenic Council, UT College Democrats, Student Government, Alpha Phi Alpha, Black Student Union and the Dean of Students Office.

“We wanted it just to be an opportunity for the campus to come together,” said Mindy King, a sophomore majoring in communication and a member of Zakuska who served on the planning committee for the dinner.

All of the resources for the event were donated by students and local businesses, which allowed all of the money raised to go towards the Haitians, King said.

Uncle John’s Pancake House donated enough pancakes to feed 500 people, cups were donated from Burger King and other local restaurants and student organizations donated silverware and plates.

“I’m really proud of the students for stepping up,” said Student Government President Krystal Weaver.

“It was a fun atmosphere; even the cooks were dancing,” King said.

“It was originally a Zakuska event,” said Dean Bellas, a graduate student majoring in higher education and a member of the dinner planning committee.

Bellas, who has traveled to Haiti twice, said he worked hard in collaboration with the other members on the planning committee, running weekly meetings, delegating tasks, and helping to coordinate the efforts of everyone involved.

When Zakuska took the idea to the Dean of Students Office and held informational meetings to organize the dinner over 30 different student organizations expressed interest in the fundraiser, Bellas said.

The death toll of the 7.0 magnitude earthquake that shook Haiti on Jan. 12 is roughly 230,000 with more bodies remaining uncounted, according to the Associated Press.

“After the earthquake, a lot of students wanted to know what they could do to help,” said Interim Dean of Students Michele Martinez.

The dinner also included paper hearts that students could buy for $1, which will be displayed on the doors of students who donated to show they “have a heart for Haiti,” Martinez said.

The students expected a turnout of about 500 people, but only a little over 100 were in attendance, according to King.

Bellas said the low attendance may have been caused by other events happening on campus at the same time as the dinner, rather than students not wanting to donate.

“Unfortunately there was another food event going on at the same time in the Greek community,” Bellas said.

All the money raised at the dinner will be donated to the Children of Promise International Orphanage in Leogane, Haiti, an orphanage the members of Zakuska visited just days before the earthquake.

There have been a variety of Haiti support events happening across campus including the Muslim Student Association soccer tournament, which raised $154 for the victims of the earthquake, according to Martinez.

“When we want to come together as a university to do some good we are definitely able to do that,” Martinez said.

Three Vanderbilt University police officers have been placed on paid administrative leave after an incident Sunday in which they drew their weapons on students inside the National Pan-Hellenic Council fraternity house.

Officers were responding to a disturbance call at 4:50 a.m. Sunday when they observed things being thrown out of a broken window at the Delphi house, according to a Vanderbilt police log.

The trio of officers entered the house with their weapons drawn and handcuffed several students and their off-campus guests, a Vanderbilt news release said. The students were held outside in freezing cold weather for more than 30 minutes.

A further look at the police log reveals that officers also observed furniture being thrown against the walls and evidence of extensive vandalism at the house.

Vanderbilt University Police Department Chief August Washington has ordered an internal investigation.

The officers will remain on paid administrative leave until the investigation is complete.

“We greatly value the safety and sense of community that our officers bring to campus,” said Chancellor Nicholas S. Zeppos. “However, it is imperative when weapons are drawn and students are held in this manner, that we ensure our procedures and protocols for such actions are clear, that all on our campus understand those procedures.”

An investigation into how the damage to the house occurred is also under way.

The Delphi house is one of five remaining historic homes in West Side Row. Built in the early 1900s, they were used as Vanderbilt’s first dormitories. Today, they serve as homes for various Greek organizations.

NPHC, which is housed in Delphi house, is the governing council for the seven historically black fraternities and sororities on Vanderbilt’s campus.

Repairs to the house already have begun so the structure can be used as soon as possible.

“This is an important gathering place for NPHC members, as well as a historic residence,” said Richard McCarty, provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs. “Our housing office will oversee the necessary repairs so that the building can be reopened to our students.”