People “steppin’ out” in their favorite combination of colors drew an enthusiastic crowd to the Grand Ballroom Thursday.
“Meet the Greeks,” an annual expo of the social Greek-letter organizations and members of FAMU’s National Pan-Hellenic Council, or the “Divine Nine,” educated students on Greek life and tried to dispel some of the rumors students may have heard along the way.
The event drew a good number of FAMU students and targeted freshmen who may not know much about the campus’s organizations.
“The event is important for freshmen, so they can find information on Greek life,” said Pan-Hellenic President Kori Scott. Scott, a graduate business administration student, is a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.
Scott and the Sigmas represented their sister organization, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. in its absence, as it is currently not “on yard.”
“We’re looking for the Zetas to come back sometime in the near future,” Scott said.
Scott coordinated “Meet the Greeks” with the intent of students learning something new.
“We had a question-and-answer period,” he said.” The idea is to encourage general questions so everyone [in attendance] can hear the information. There are misconceptions and connotations given about us…this gives us the chance to say what we’ve accomplished.”
Craig Watts, a senior computer information systems student from Jacksonville, agreed.
Watts, 21, is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. He said the event gave students a chance to see what sororities and fraternities offer beyond social settings.
“People left with a better understanding of who we are,” Watts said. ” ‘Meet the Greeks’ offers insight. At parties, you just see one organization. Here, you can see them all…it might sway someone to be Greek or join another organization.”
Yet, there are those who attended “Meet the Greeks” with a good idea of what organization they would pledge if given the opportunity.
“The event did not change my mind about Greek life,” James Bland, 18, said.
The freshman business administration student from Titusville said he had an idea of what fraternity he would like to join, and the expo solidified his decision.
“These guys have a huge presence on campus. And what they do for the school makes me sure of my decision,” Bland said.
Rickey Beasley, a senior business administration student from Laveoka, said he also has interest in Greek life, but was there on behalf of someone else.
“I have a friend in Sigma Lambda Gamma [Sorority]. I wanted to support her,” Beasley said.
Although the group is not officially a part of the Pan-Hellenic Council, members of Sigma Lambda Gamma, Inc. were on-hand to network and inform students about their organization.
“We put our whole heart into the organization. We have the common goal of diversity,” said President Tamica Camacho.
Camacho said that what sets them apart from the rest of the sororities is their multicultural nature.
Karimah Bell, 22, and Aaliyah Khatob, 20, pharmacy students and members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., said they wanted to focus on a broader scope.
“We wanted to show the students the services we offer to the community and to Tallahassee,” said Khatob, a junior from Atlanta.
Bell agreed. “We really wanted to express what we do and what our purpose is,” said the fifth year student from Tampa.
Each organization is different, but they all have one thing in common.
“We were all founded on scholarship, service, sisterhood and brotherhood,” Bell said.
Contact lindsay pollard at lensay383@yahoo.com.