The 16 sorority and fraternity chapters at ETSU gathered on Tuesday night to hold the first ever Greek convocation in the Culp Center auditorium. The convocation kicked off the new year, boosting morale and introducing potential members to what “going Greek” was all about.
“Our purpose and our intent was to bring together the nearly 500 members we have on campus and to celebrate their membership,” said Joy Fulkerson, the coordinator for Greek life and community service program.
The event coincides with a renewed effort on the university’s part to officiate and streamline the Greek recruiting process. A majority of those 500 members attended the convocation, as did a number of potential recruits.
The keynote speaker for the event was Dr. Lori Hart Ebert. Fulkerson has seen Ebert speak a number of times. Ebert discussed “making Greek great” and challenged members to “be committed to the lifetime membership they have.”
“I think her message was well-received by both men and women and our hope is that it would spark a fire underneath our active members to really live up to the values, the ritual, in which they pledged,” said Fulkerson. “All of our members uphold some standards and live by some principles. She challenged them to do that, and do that well.”
Tables were set up outside the auditorium in advance of the event, displaying videos, posters, brochures and flyers.
“We’re really trying to push recruitment this year,” said Andrew Stafford, of Kappa Sigma booth. “It’s up a little more this year than last year.”
Stafford says that Kappa Sigma is trying hard to change negative images of Greek life by focusing on academics and other community service issues.
“We’ve got a lot of leaders on campus,” he said.
“We’re hoping to get more girls signed up for recruitment,” said Savannah Sillyman of Alpha Xi Delta.
Kristina Livesey, also of Alpha Xi Delta, said she hoped the event would deepen the experience of Greek life.
Once the event began, the assembled Greeks filled the Culp Center auditorium to watch and participate in the convocation. The convocation was designed to strengthen the bonds between the Greek organizations and get the membership ready for a new year.
T-shirts and freebies were flung into the screaming crowd, and a number of other door prizes were given away, including two iPods and gift certificates to local stores. Festivities began by the fraternities and sororities introducing themselves.
Fulkerson said during the speech Ebert asked the audience, “Who doesn’t get us?” Responses ranged from “our parents,” to “the police” to “ETSU faculty members.”
Ebert said part of their responsibility as active sorority and fraternity members was to tell their stories.
Fulkerson said Ebert reminded the Greek community: “There are lots of good things that we do, but how will someone know if we don’t tell that story?”
Ebert said that only through telling their stories will Greeks be able to help those who “don’t get it” to “get it.”
Over Labor Day weekend sororities at ETSU will be recruiting.
Recruitment begins tonight with “open house night,” an informal meet-and-greet. Friday night is “philanthropy night” where sororities will showcase their individual causes. “Theme night” is Saturday, where sororities will sing chapter songs and perform skits. Sunday is “preference night,” and Labor Day will ring in new sorority members at “Bid Day,” a celebration where women discover which sorority they will belong to.
“We’re really excited about all the new members who have come through. The applications are amazing,” said Kappa Delta President Courtney Stomieroski.
Fraternity recruitment begins with an information session on Tuesday, Sept, 4 at 6:30 p.m. in the Culp Center ballroom.

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