As a celebration of Greek life, ETSU’s Greek community held its third annual convocation Tuesday. From 2-6 p.m., booths were set up around the outdoor amphitheatre, which featured free food, door prizes, trivia games and much more. The event was held to celebrate the Greeks coming back to the community and to communicate to people who may be interested in joining fraternities or sororities.

At 6:30 p.m., many chapters and students interested in becoming a pledge joined together in the Culp Center Auditorium to engage in the traditional roll call of chapters, win more door prizes and to hear speaker Dr. Brenda White Wright.

Wright (Delta Sigma Theta chapter) received three degrees from ETSU and worked for more than 20 years as CEO and president of Girls Inc. of Kingsport.

Wright has also won numerous awards including being among the top 25 most powerful female business executives in the Business Journal, the Times News award for distinguished community service and the Girls Inc. Professional of the Year Award.

Wright commended those who were proud of their chapters. She spoke of reasons that students would want to join a Greek chapter, which included extending charitable and social responsibilities beyond personal effort and being a part of a special brotherhood or sisterhood.

Being a Greek, according to Wright, is about working with others who share beliefs in making a difference on the campus and in the community and learning how to maintain an individual independence and uniqueness while working within a group.

Wright advised those who are not affiliated with Greek life yet to participate in rush, but not to be in a rush to do so, because it is a lifelong commitment.

Joey Hood, sports management major and Pi Kappa Alpha member, spoke highly of Greek life, saying, “It’s about lifelong friends and good advancements,” and he encouraged those interested to sign up for rush.

For more information on Greek life at ETSU, visit the Student Organizational Resource Center, Suite B.

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