Rather than entertain Saturday's football game crowd with the usual musical performance, this year's Homecoming halftime show provided the official kick-off for Greek Week while commemorating 150 years of fraternity and sorority life at the University.
The halftime show included the bestowal of a plaque to University President John T. Casteen III. Current leaders of the University's fraternity and sorority councils also were honored during the presentation.
Terry J. Dade, program coordinator for the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life, said halftime served as a convenient backdrop for the Greek system's 150th anniversary.
"Primarily, we knew a lot of alumni would be back here for Homecoming and would appreciate it," Dade said.
Sigma Pi Fraternity President Jon Riley said the presentation was important because it gave University students, faculty and visitors "a glimpse at the strength of the Greek system, as well as the contributions Greeks have made to the outside community."
Riley said these contributions will continue to be recognized over the course of Greek Week, an event sponsored by the Inter-Sorority and Inter-Fraternity Councils. Both groups have put a tremendous amount of effort into planning the schedule, he added.
ISC Public Relations Chairwoman Cahill Zoeller said she is excited by this year's charity events, featuring a blood drive Monday, a collection for the Charlottesville Fire Department on Wednesday and a Safety Fair on Thursday. Social events also will be held, such as an all-you-can eat gathering at the Crab on Thursday night. Greek Week will culminate with this Saturday's Rock N' Rally concert, co-sponsored by the ISC and IFC. The concert promotes student involvement in the upcoming education bond referendum vote.
IFC Community Chairman Logan Nicholson said he is especially excited by this year's new Greek scholarship of a Habitat for Humanity house, a project also supported last year.
"We are committed to raising thousands of dollars, and it's up to Greeks to come through on that promise," Nicholson said.
In the face of frequent criticism and negative press, Greek Week offers a chance for fraternities and sororities to educate the public of their strong community involvement, said Aaron Laushway, assistant dean of students and director of fraternity and sorority life.
"This is an opportunity to demonstrate positive aspects, beyond the party mentality," Laushway said.
A primary goal of this year's Greek Week is to foster cooperation among the chapters in working for the common good, Zoeller said.
"We intend to unite as a community in order to better both the larger University populace and the Charlottesville area," she said.
IFC Public Relations Chairman Ryan Ewalt agreed the week is intended to promote unity.
"Many times, Greek men and women become so focused on their own fraternity or sorority that they forget the big picture," Ewalt said.
This year's Greek Week is especially significant, not only for marking the Greek system's 150th anniversary at the University, but for proving its ability to rebound after the Sept. 11, 2001 tragedy.
"Last year, Greek Week was, for all practical purposes, cancelled due to September 11," Ewalt said. "The Greek community, like everyone else, is trying to show it can bounce back."
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