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Media Relations
Kansas State University
9 Anderson Hall
Manhattan, KS 66506
785-532-6415
media@k-state.edu

Information provided by K-State Media Relations, K-State's news service, may be reproduced without permission. The marks and names of Kansas State University are protected trademarks and may not be used in any commercial or private endeavor without the approval of the university.

Sources: Scott Jones, Shawn Eagleburger and Brandon Cutler,
785-532-5546 or greekaffairs@k-state.edu
Web site: http://www.k-state.edu/greek
News release prepared by: Beth Bohn, 785-532-6415, bbohn@k-state.edu

Friday, August 29, 2008

K-STATE GREEK RECRUITMENT ON STRONG PACE FOR 2008-2009

MANHATTAN -- Greek recruitment at Kansas State University is on a strong pace for the 2008-2009 school year. Involvement in sorority recruitment has hit a record high, while fraternity recruitment continues to be steady, said Scott Jones, director of K-State Greek affairs.

More women than ever took part in Recruitment Week, Aug. 17-21, for K-State's 11 sororities, according to Shawn Eagleburger, assistant director of Greek affairs and K-State Panhellenic sorority adviser.

"We had 611 women who participated in Recruitment Week, more than we've ever had. The 525 women who were invited to pledge a sorority represented the fourth highest number of new members ever at K-State," Eagleburger said. "Our pledge rate of 86 percent also was well above the rate recommended by the National Panhellenic Conference."

Eagleburger said that most women were invited to join the sorority of their first preference.

It is not too late to join a sorority, Eagleburger said. Registration for continuous open recruitment is available at the office of Greek affairs Web site at http://www.k-state.edu/greek

"At least one sorority is continuing its recruitment efforts this fall," Eagleburger said, adding that many of the sororities will offer recruitment opportunities again in the spring.

Fraternity recruitment, which is conducted year-round, stood at 375 men as of Aug. 25, about the same as the last few years, said Brandon Cutler, assistant director of Greek affairs and fraternity adviser. Cutler, however, expects that number to climb by around 50 in the next few weeks. Registration for fraternity recruitment also is available at http://www.k-state.edu/greek

"We are involved with several recruiting initiatives right now," Cutler said. "Many of our 24 Greek fraternity chapters are or will be conducting recruiting events during the first few weeks of school."

More than 3,200 K-State students belong to a Greek sorority or fraternity, Jones said. He credits the strong, continued interest in K-State's Greek system to its nationally recognized chapters, award-winning governing bodies and the special focus the Greek system as a whole puts on philanthropy, community service and leadership.

"Several of our fraternity and sorority chapters are recognized each year as the best in the nation by their national organizations," Jones said. "K-State's Panhellenic and Interfraternity councils also are often recognized as the best or among the best in the nation. In fact, our Panhellenic Council received the coveted Sutherland Award this spring from the Mid-American Greek Council Association, an honor presented to the association's top council."

K-State's Greek chapters are involved, through fund-raising efforts and volunteer activities, with a variety of service organizations, such as the Women's Crisis Center in Manhattan, St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, Special Olympics, National Leukemia Foundation and more.

"K-State's chapter of Up 'til Dawn, a Greek-affiliated organization that raises funds for St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, has raised more than $680,000 for the hospital in the last five years," Jones said. "That really highlights the commitment of K-State Greek members to get involved on campus, in the community and in the world."

Leadership also is an emphasis of K-State's Greek system, Jones said.

"Since 1986, 56 percent of K-State's student body presidents, vice presidents and Student Senate chairs have been Greek members," he said. "Although comprising only about 20 percent of the undergraduate campus population, Greek students hold approximately 65 percent of campus leadership positions."

To help keep Greek numbers strong, Jones said K-State has started a new campaign called "Be You, Be Greek." The campaign emphasizes how by being themselves, students will bring their individual talents and traits to their respective Greek chapters and make them stronger.

"It is not to late to join a K-State sorority or fraternity," Jones said. More information on K-State's Greek system and registration for recruitment opportunities are available online at http://www.k-state.edu/greek or by contacting the office of Greek affairs at 785-532-5546 or greekaffairs@k-state.edu.