Craig Little

Speaker To Question IWU Students About Fraternity/Sorority Pride

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – When the media focuses on hazing and alcohol problems rather than community service, scholarship, and leadership development, it can be difficult to feel proud to be Greek. It’s little wonder that many believe the “Animal House” stereotype that surrounds fraternity and sorority life on college campuses.

Craig Little, currently the director of alumni societies at Ohio State University, will question fraternity and sorority pride in his speech entitled “Are You Proud to Be Greek?” He will speak to Illinois Wesleyan University students during the annual Greek Awards Night on Monday, March 29 at 8 p.m. in the Hansen Student Center, 300 Beecher St. The event is free and open to the public.

As a speaker, Little’s goal is for fraternity and sorority members to feel proud of their affiliation. To accomplish this, he asks members of the Greek community to reflect on why they joined their organizations and what they have gained because of their affiliation. He encourages students to consider the friendships they have made, the skills they have learned, the confidence they have gained, the opportunities they have experienced, and the people they have helped because of their involvement in the Greek community.

A member and former Assistant Executive Director of Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity, Little said, “Sometimes students just need to be reminded about the good things.” For instance, fraternity and sorority members perform countless hours of community service each year. The valuable scholarships and other financial assistance they provide often allow their members to continue their studies. Greek affiliation also instills confidence, teaches leadership, and provides a much-needed home away from home for many students.

“But in the news we often hear only about the small percentage of groups who are not living up to the values expressed in their mottos and creeds,” said Little. “It’s sad that we are all tarred with the same brush, because there are some great men and women doing some wonderful things out there that we never hear about.”

Whereas some Greek alumni admit, “sheepishly,” that they were Greek in college, Little said that he knows others who cite their fraternity or sorority as being the best thing that ever happened to them, and continue to be involved as volunteers long after graduation.

“Greek membership is often one of the most meaningful experiences of a college career, and occasionally remains important to people well beyond college,” said Little. “I want to remind students what makes it so great, and help insure that our organizations are around for a long time to come.”

For more information, contact Angela Carver, assistant dean of students, at (309) 556-3555.