Why Go Greek?

There are so many reasons to go Greek here at Penn State. Whether you are looking for leadership opportunities, a way to get involved and leave a mark on the Penn State Community, a family away from home, or developing friendships that will last beyond your four years at the university, there is a reason to go Greek for everyone! The Greek Community has much to offer women at Penn State and is a major part of Penn State life and the Penn State experience. The twenty Panhellenic sorority chapters that you will meet in formal recruitment provide an important support community to nearly 2,000 women who are active members of sororities at Penn State. While it is impossible to list every reason to Go Greek here at Penn State, we try to sum it up in the following ways:

Friendship

Sorority members take part in many sisterhood activities, retreats, and social events such as theme parties, cookouts, formals, and dated functions.
In addition to these opportunities, sororities offer a bond of friendship so unmatched that it can only be called sisterhood.

Scholarship

Sorority women have consistently scored above the all-women's academic average.
Career development programs are sponsored for Panhellenic women. Additionally, each year a Greek faculty reception is held, where sorority women and fraternity men are able to honor appreciated faculty members.
Sorority women in their sophomore and junior years have the opportunity to join the Order of Omega, a national honor society for Greek members who exhibit outstanding academics and involvement in the Greek community.

Philanthropy

Each February, Penn State Panhellenic sororities join with fraternities of the Interfraternity Council (IFC) to sponsor the IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon , (THON) the largest student-run philanthropy in the nation. Over $7 million was raised during 2009 to support the Four Diamonds Fund, which helps children with cancer.
In the Fall of each year, Panhellenic sponsors Greek Sing , a fund-raising event for the Gayle Beyers Scholarship Fund. These scholarships go to Greek women who exhibit outstanding leadership and involvement.
All Greek Councils come together in the Spring for a fun filled week, Greek Week. Contests, games, and fun take place all week long, awarding points to placing teams. Money raised during the week goes to The Aids Project.
In addition to the Greek Community as a whole, Panhellenic sorority chapters also have individual philanthropies that they support throughout the year, such as various medical foundations, childhood research centers, and much more! To learn about each chapter’s national philanthropy, you can find it listed on each chapter’s website.

Leadership

Greek Life offers members the chance to develop leadership skills by holding various positions in the chapter, within the Greek Community, or even Panhellenic executive positions.
Panhellenic and IFC co-sponsor the Greek Leadership Conference. This event is devoted to educating chapter officers. Many times sorority and fraternity national officers and alumni will also attend.
Sorority women have held leadership positions in campus activities ranging from University Student Government President to a Captain of the Penn State Women's Volleyball team, and everywhere in between.