Contact:
Leah Seupersad, University Relations
404-413-1354
Georgia State will celebrate a week of camaraderie, competition and philanthropy as the university's 24 fraternities and sororities host Greek Week 2011 through April 9.
Dozens of Greek students launched the celebration Sunday, April 3, by entering the Student Center Ballroom with banners and chants during the Greek Week Opening Ceremony.
"Greek Week is important to the Greek community because it fosters Greek unity and allows all social Greek organizations to come together with common goals," said Lucille Ausborn, GSU Greek life coordinator. "Greek Week provides potential Greek members, faculty and staff the opportunity to attend Greek-wide events and support a good cause."
The GSU Greek Council has planned a variety of Greek Week events, including the Greek Olympic Games from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on April 7 in Hurt Park. Greek Olympic Games will consist of tug of war, a pie eating contest and an obstacle course, including a wheelbarrow race, pyramid building, hula hoop pass, five-legged race and a water balloon toss.
On Tuesday April 5, The Black Sophomore Society will host "Dancing with the Greeks" from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. in the Student Center Ballroom.
"There are so many different people and backgrounds at Georgia State and in the Greek community. I'm looking forward to all of the Greek organizations coming together and being able to build relationships with different people outside of our norm," said Matthew Braham, president of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Zeta Mu Chapter.
Greek Week will also promote a number of philanthropic events, including the Penny Wars from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., April 4-6 in the Library Plaza. Penny Wars is a fund-raising event where teams compete to collect the most pennies, while points are deducted from jars when any silver coins and dollar bills are placed in a team's container. The Greek Council will donate all funds raised from the Penny Wars to the Atlanta Center for Self Sufficiency.
The week will close with the Greek Showcase: GSU Annual Step Show at 7 p.m. on April 9 in the GSU Sports Arena. The showcase will include 15 organizations with a mixture of stepping, strolling and dance. GSU student tickets are $10 in advance and non-student tickets are $15 in advance.
For Greek Council president Umama Kibria, Greek Week is culmination of a successful year for GSU's Greek organizations and a revamping of the GSU Greek Council.
"Our Greek Life has transitioned stupendously with the introduction of Greek Housing, GSU Football and the Greek Row Seating Section, Greek Council and Greek Week," said Kibria, who is also philanthropy chair of the sorority Phi Mu Theta, Beta Chapter. "A new form of Greek Unity has been established between our chapters that would never have happened without the collaboration of the 24 Greek chapters and four Governing Councils. I've created so many new friendships with other Greek students that has offered me incredible networking opportunities on and off campus."
GSU students, faculty and staff can participate in all Greek Week events. All Greek faculty, staff and students are encouraged to wear their Greek letters for a photo opportunity at 12:30 p.m. April 8 in the Library Plaza.
For a full schedule of Greek Week events, visit http://www2.gsu.edu/~wwwglw/resources.htm
April 4, 2011