Students 'Engage the Future' at Greek Pride summit, ceremony

University Park, Pa. -- More than 280 students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members attended a 2005 Greek Pride Signing Ceremony and student summit titled Engage the Future on Wednesday, Feb. 2. The event, dedicated to strengthening the Greek community and its relationship with the University, began in the Old Main lobby with the signing of a collective dream statement, signifying a 10-year goal.

The event included Penn State President Graham B. Spanier, who stressed the importance of a strong relationship between the University and the Greek community.

“While this signing event is ceremonial in nature, it carries with it profound meaning," he said. "It is a symbol of commitment, cooperation and caring, not only on the part of our Greek community but also on the part of our University administration. As president, I recognize the many challenges that our Greek organizations face, but I also deeply believe in the value of the Greek experience for Penn State students.”

The signing ceremony was followed by a student summit in the HUB-Robeson Center. Participants shared experiences and developed project ideas that can be implemented through the cooperative efforts of all Greek students. Ideas, ranging from all-Greek philanthropies and community service to a Greek Alumni Hall of Fame, will be championed throughout the next year under one of the Greek Pride Bold Idea Action Teams.

Throughout the night, students also shared personal stories with the audience, including Randy Winder, president of Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity, who challenged his fellow Greeks to remember why they joined a Greek organization and “give back to a community that has given so much.”

For more information on the Greek Pride process and for current stories on the project, see http://www.sa.psu.edu/greekpride

For photos from the event, go to http://live.psu.edu/still_life/2005_02_03_greek/index.html