Greek Life Today: A Fraternity & Sorority Podcast | Higher Ed | Student Affairs

For more than a decade, Pi Kappa Alpha at the University of Cincinnati has conducted an international mission trip. Through this program, brothers have visited places like Peru and Nepal while performing manual labor for local communities in need.

In this episode, we learn about why the trip is so important to the chapter, and we relive the 2017 trip through the eyes of the travelers. Join us as we travel to, from and through Nepal, as these young men learn about a faraway land and themselves.

For anyone who loves travel and Greek Life, this is a must-hear episode.

Listen here. ⬇️

Selected links from episode 7 with Pi Kappa Alpha

The passage I read at the end of the episode came from Vagabonding by Rolf Potts.

Connect with the Alpha Xi chapter of Pi Kappa Alpha via Twitter, Facebook or their website.

If you enjoyed this episode and want to show your appreciation, you can support Greek Life Today when you buy your textbooks, electronics or anything else at Amazon. Simply click through the graphic below and make your purchases as usual. There are no hidden fees or increased costs — everything is the same as usual. Because you clicked through this link, Amazon will know that we’re friends and they will share a tiny fraction of your sale with me. This helps defray the costs of running this site and making the podcast episodes you enjoy. Thank you so much! 🙏

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Greek Life Today aims to elevate the fraternity & sorority community by sharing inspiring stories from chapters across North America. If you know of a story that could make a good episode, nominate it on this page.

Danni Messina wanted to find an alternative way to join her Tri Delta sisters in supporting St. Jude. Because of some extenuating family circumstances, she wasn’t going to participate in her chapter’s fall philanthropy. Instead, she decided to send out a tweet that would alter the course of her life.

this time of year is about giving – this year, I am giving back to St. Jude & the families who are supported by their amazing services

every favorite : $.25

every retweet : $.50

go give. go st. Jude!!

— dan (@danni_messina) November 25, 2017

Within days of sending the tweet, Danni “owed” more than $200,000 to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Her story was picked up by media outlets around the world and others made her cause their own.

This is the tale of Danni Messina and Madison Conklin, two women brought together by extraordinary circumstances.

Hear the story behind why Danni sent the tweet, how she ended up fulfilling the pledge, and what she learned from meeting Madison. This is a powerful example of the positive impact one person can have and the upside of taking a chance.

Listen here ⬇️

Selected links from episode 6 with Tri Delta

Nationally, Tri Delta has a partnership with St. Jude that has raised more than $55 million since 1999. In 2014, the sorority committed to raising $60 million in 10 years – the largest single commitment by a St. Jude partner. Learn more about their partnership here.

Watch Danni’s segment from Good Morning America.

Here is the link to Danni’s GoFundMe campaign.

You can give to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital through this link.

You can connect with Danni Messina and Madison Conklin on Twitter.

 

If you enjoyed this episode and want to show your appreciation, you can support Greek Life Today when you buy custom t-shirts and apparel for your chapter from CustomInk. Simply click through the graphic below and make your purchases as usual. There are no hidden fees or increased costs — everything is the same as usual. Because you clicked through this link, CustomInk will know that we’re friends and they will share a tiny fraction of your sale with me. This helps defray the costs of running this site and making the podcast episodes you enjoy. Thank you so much! 🙏

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Greek Life Today aims to elevate the fraternity & sorority community by sharing inspiring stories from chapters across North America. If you know of a story that could make a good episode, nominate it here.

Walk Hard, the philanthropic journey from Alpha Tau Omega, started in the spring of 2009 with a simple idea: “Let’s walk until we can’t walk anymore.”

It’s been eight years since three young men set out to walk the 128.3 miles from Troy, Alabama to Panama City Beach, Florida. In that time, the chapter has doubled in size, while increasing the event’s participation and fundraising by more than ten-fold.

This is the story of Walk Hard, a philanthropy that shapes young men and supports veterans.

In this episode, you’ll learn how:

* to pull of an event of this magnitude

* to approach donors about supporting your cause

* a program like this affects other areas of a chapter

Listen here. ⬇️

Selected links from episode 5 with Alpha Tau Omega

Get a taste of what it’s like to be out there on the walk in this video.

Learn more about Jeep Sullivan’s Wounded Warrior Outdoor Adventures.

Connect with the Kappa Beta chapter of ATO on Twitter, Facebook, and through their Walk Hard page.

If you enjoyed this episode and want to show your appreciation, you can support Greek Life Today when you buy your textbooks, electronics or anything else at Amazon. Simply click through the graphic below and make your purchases as usual. There are no hidden fees or increased costs — everything is the same as usual. Because you clicked through this link, Amazon will know that we’re friends and they will share a tiny fraction of your sale with me. This helps defray the costs of running this site and making the podcast episodes you enjoy. Thank you so much! 🙏

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Greek Life Today aims to elevate the fraternity & sorority community by sharing inspiring stories from chapters across North America. If you know of a story that could make a good episode, nominate it on this page.

“You are braver than you know!” That’s what Kelly Gerken, founder of Sufficient Grace Ministries, often tells the young men of Alpha Sigma Phi at Bowling Green State University.

Since 2013, the odd couple — a fraternity and a ministry — have paired up every December to raise money and awareness for families suffering perinatal loss. Through their Build A Bear For Moms event, the chapter facilitates the stuffing of teddy bears that get sent to grieving women all over the world. They also engage in substantive conversations that open people’s eyes to how often these tragedies occur.

Hear how the event got started, how it’s evolved over time, and what lessons they learned along the way. This story is a powerful example of how a fraternities can be a force for good.

Listen here ⬇️

Selected links from episode 4 with Alpha Sigma Phi

Email Kelly Gerken about bringing Build A Bear For Moms to your campus or getting involved another way.

Here is the CDC report on perinatal loss that I referenced in the episode. As you’ll see, this is a huge issue, and one that could benefit greatly from the support of Greek Life.

You can connect with Alpha Sigma Phi at BGSU on Facebook and Twitter.

If you enjoyed this episode and want to show your appreciation, you can support Greek Life Today when you buy custom t-shirts and apparel for your chapter from CustomInk. Simply click through the graphic below and make your purchases as usual. There are no hidden fees or increased costs — everything is the same as usual. Because you clicked through this link, CustomInk will know that we’re friends and they will share a tiny fraction of your sale with me. This helps defray the costs of running this site and making the podcast episodes you enjoy. Thank you so much! 🙏

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Greek Life Today aims to elevate the fraternity & sorority community by sharing inspiring stories from chapters across North America. If you know of a story that could make a good episode, nominate it here.

In the fall of 2012, Ali Mahmoud received some disappointing news from his friend, Omar. Omar was going to join a fraternity, which Ali thought would compromise his Muslim values. But what other choice did he have? It’s not like there was a Muslim-interest fraternity he could join. And just like that, the idea for Alpha Lambda Mu was born.

Since its founding in February of 2013, Alpha Lambda Mu, also known as Alif Laam Meem, has expanded from UT-Dallas to seven other campuses. More than 300 men have been initiated into the organization, while countless others have been impacted by its existence.

This episode chronicles the organization’s founding and expansion, while also examining its impact on society.

Listen here. ⬇️

Selected links from episode 3 with Alpha Lambda Mu

ALM was featured in the Huffington Post and the New York Times in the first year of their existence.

Apply to start a chapter of ALM on your campus. Mohammed and I would be stoked if this episode leads to a new chapter. Mention Greek Life Today in the message field on the form.

You can connect with Alpha Lambda Mu on Facebook and Twitter.

If you enjoyed this episode and want to show your appreciation, you can support Greek Life Today when you buy your textbooks, electronics or anything else at Amazon. Simply click through the graphic below and make your purchases as usual. There are no hidden fees or increased costs — everything is the same as usual. Because you clicked through this link, Amazon will know that we’re friends and they will share a tiny fraction of your sale with me. This helps defray the costs of running this site and making the podcast episodes you enjoy. Thank you so much! 🙏

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Greek Life Today aims to elevate the fraternity & sorority community by sharing inspiring stories from chapters across North America. If you know of a story that could make a good episode, nominate it on this page.

In 1996, a Pi Beta Phi sister at the University of Toledo was killed in a drunk driving accident. Her name was Katie Hoben, and the drunk driver was a fellow UT student.

In her honor, and with the goal of preventing more fatal accidents, the sisters created Mocktails / Mock Trial. The program is a carefully-crafted sensory experience that demonstrates the profound and irreversible consequences of drunk driving.

Mocktails / Mock Trial is powerful example of how the fraternity and sorority community can facilitate critical conversations. This episode transports you into the event so that you can experience it like the students on campus do. You’ll learn about the different facets of this program and hear from some key players from the 2017 edition.

Listen here ⬇️

Selected links from episode 2 with Pi Beta Phi

If you or someone you know is battling with alcohol or substance abuse issues, please call 1-800-662-HELP (4357). You can also find resources on the website of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

Watch coverage of the 2017 Mocktails / Mock Trial on the local ABC station’s website.

Prepare yourself to make safe choices by exploring the BAC estimator I referenced on the show.

You can connect with this chapter of Pi Beta Phi on Facebook and Twitter.

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Greek Life Today aims to elevate the fraternity & sorority community by sharing inspiring stories from chapters across North America. If you know of a story that could make a good episode, nominate it here.

 

In the spring of 2014, long-time Sigma Alpha Epsilon advisor Bob Dax was diagnosed with ALS. Devastated by the news, the Brothers dedicated their 2014 philanthropy, Donut Dash, to Bob and set their sights on raising $100,000 for ALS research that year.

This is the story of how they reached that goal and, ultimately, raised $579,000 over the years. In the process, they broke the national record for most funds raised by a single Greek chapter.

In this episode, you’ll hear the story of Bob Dax and Donut Dash from the perspective of Brothers in the chapter. Also, you’ll learn about the specific strategies they used to raise funds and recruit 1,400 participants.

Listen here ⬇️

Selected links from episode 1 with Sigma Alpha Epsilon

To donate to the Live Like Lou foundation, please visit this link. At the bottom of the page, in the “Tribute Information,” consider donating in memory of Bob Dax.

2017 co-chairman Kevin Wainczak referenced a TED Talk by Simon Sinek near the end of the episode. It’s one of my favorites of all-time. You can watch it here.

The Sigma Alpha Epsilon Brothers have a Facebook page dedicated to the Donut Dash, if you want to stay updated about the event. Or, you can check out their website: http://www.pghdonutdash.org/.

If you enjoyed this episode and want to show your appreciation, you can support Greek Life Today when you buy t-shirts and apparel for your chapter from CustomInk. Simply click through the graphic below and make your purchases as usual. There are no hidden fees or increased costs — everything is the same as usual. Because you clicked through this link, CustomInk will know that we’re friends and they will share a tiny fraction of your sale with me. This helps defray the costs of running this site and making the podcast episodes you enjoy. Thank you so much! 🙏

—–

Greek Life Today aims to elevate the fraternity & sorority community by sharing inspiring stories from chapters across North America. If you know of a story that could make a good episode, nominate it here.

Why does this podcast exist? Since graduating from college in 2009, Jon Moore has spent the last eight years as either a fraternity consultant or a chapter advisor. In that time, he's seen the good that fraternities and sororities can do, but also the bad. In this inaugural episode of Greek Life Today, Jon talks about his passion for fraternity and sorority life, and outlines his mission for this project.