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

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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

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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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Alpha Epsilon Pi ' s house snake slithers around in the lank it knows as home. The men of Alpha Epsilon Pi enjoyed having a snake instead of a typical pet because it set them apart from many other houses. J. Werner photo The men of Chi Psi continued on the tradition of having a house dog. Moonshine the Tenth (the name has applied to every house dog) left the house with his senior owner this year. L. Proux photo GREEKS 351