University of Michigan - Michiganensian Yearbook (Ann Arbor, MI)

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Finishing up the carving of the Greek letters on the ice, a member of Psi Upsilon looks for- ward to Winterfest, their annual philanthropy. This all-day hockey event raised money for the Ann Arbor Humane Society. photo courtesy Psi Upsilon Trying to build momentum, sophomore Kate- lyn Cecchini spins in circles in an attempt to throw a watermelon further than any other girl could. The watermelon bust, hosted by Lamda Chi, featured different activities involv- ing watermelons, and donated all proceeds to Charity, photo courtesy Qamma Phi Beta GREEKS 349

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By Morgan Drutchas One of the main foundations of the Greek community was performing community service in an effort to give back to the community. It was a crucial part of being a Greek, which was why every sorority and fraternity was required to plan and participate in an annual philanthropy. These events tested the creativity and charitability of each house. They included everything from Lambda Chi ' s winterland theme to an event at Delta Upsi- Ion to see how far one could throw things. Matthew Goldenberg, a brother at Alpha Epsilon Pi, said that their annual philan- thropy, a music concert, made over $1000 which was donated to Mott ' s Children ' s Hospital and the U of M Breast Cancer research fund. Another popular event was Delta Epsilon ' s pancake breakfast. This sorority invit- ed all Greeks and other members of the community over to their house in order to combine their philanthropy with community relations. Besides large annual events that raised hundreds of dollars, the Greek community also did monthly projects and helped support charitable foundations. For instance, Alpha Epsilon Pi brothers tutored children at Angell Elementary School and served food at the Ronald McDonald House. The Gamma Phi Beta sorority also had a monthly philanthropic event. In March, the house focused on Dance Marathon by making posters. Other sororities or fraternities did things like sponsor a family or donate presents to local shelters during the holiday sea- The men of Pi Kappa Phi meet with their bikes before PUSH America, their annual philanthropy. This year they biked 61 miles from Ann Arbor to the Pi Kappa Phi Toledo house to raise money photo courtesy Pi Kappu Phi ' 348 MR HKIANENSIAN

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By Laura Wonch and Lauren Rutledge As if having over fifty men or women living in one house was not enough pande- monium, some Greeks decided that they needed a pet to keep them company and to con- tribute a sense of community and unconditional love to their living environments. Many Greek houses, especially fraternities, had house pets which in many cases represented the goals and ideals of the house. The fraternity Pi Kappa Phi had a house pet that was an iguana named Benjamin Cheech. Jared Ryan, a junior history major and the president of Pi Kappa Phi noted the fact that Benjamin Cheech shed his worn-out skin on a regular basis. That process is symbolic of Pi Kapp ' s ability to change with the times and continually grow in our brotherhood as well as in the Greek community, Ryan explained. Similarly, Sigma Phi had a very large black dog named Gus. Appearing similar to a bear, the dog was a symbol of the fraternity ' s strength and unity. Animals were not only symbolic of Greek goals and ideals, but they were often just fun to have around, reminding members of a family pet from childhood. Ranging from dogs to turtles to hamsters to reptiles, house pets provided a more domestic feel to the large houses they lived in, and gave Greeks something cuddly and cute to call their own. Holding her two newly acquired hamsters, senior Jessie Knapp proves there are ways to get around house rules about pets. Many Greeks kept quiet pets in their rooms if their house did not condone a large pet. photo courtesy Qamma Phi Beta 350 MR: HIUANF.NS1AN