After spending this past year serving the Greek community, I have had the privilege of not only learning a lot about myself, but also about all of the organizations in the Greek community. Furthermore, I have learned about what it means to be Greek at Miami University. In light of all of the negativity surrounding Greek life within the last week, I took some time to reflect upon what being apart of Greek life means to me.
Everyone in the Greek community made the same choice—to be Greek—and although we are apart of the same community, our reasons—or our “why”—are probably all pretty different. When I think about my “why” for Greek life, a lot of things come to mind. There are days when I could produce a never ending list, and there are days that made it hard to come up with even one reason.
But even though there are these occasional bad days, or weeks, I am always proud to be Greek. I am proud to be Greek because it has taught me how to be a better friend. It has taught me how to be accountable, and what it is like to swallow my pride and apologize. I am proud to be Greek because it has proven to me that there are people in this world who are simply good. And not because they have these ulterior motives or because they want to be liked, but because they are good. They are kind and they are giving and they are loyal and they are Greek.
I joined Greek life at Miami University because I wanted to get away from the 350 students from my graduating class in high school who came to this school. I wanted to redefine myself, and I wanted to feel like college was the fresh start that I had always hoped it would be. I wanted to make new friends and meet cute boys and maybe attend a party two.
I stayed in Greek life because I discovered who I really am. The Greek community did not redefine me, but instead helped me see a side of myself that I was honored to call my own. I stayed Greek because the Greek community challenged me to test my limits. I stayed Greek because I met people who were more than a pretty face. I met these brilliant and talented and driven people who showed me what it meant to be a good friend and a good sister. I stayed Greek because I met people who changed my life without even knowing it and definitely without the expectation of a thank you.
I stayed Greek because the Panhellenic community at Miami University showed me what leadership is about, not the title, but the development along the way. I stayed Greek because the Greek community took me as I was, and pushed me to what I could be. I am Greek at Miami University because I love this community. I understand that the word love is a big one. But I also know one of my favorite teachers—and arguably one of the smartest people I have ever met, once said that whenever you care and cry and laugh and work and ache for people, that’s what it is—love. So, I do love this community. I love it for the friendships and the confidence and the support and the opportunities that it has given me.
I won’t lie and say that the Greek community here at Miami University is flawless. But I will say that being Greek at Miami University is worth it. It’s worth our time and our effort. It’s worth giving back to. And it’s definitely worth every penny you spend in dues. Being Greek at Miami changes each of us, and not because the people we meet need us to change, or want us to be different, but because we want to be better after living a life in this beautiful community.
