A Legacy of Giving for College of Charleston Sororities, Fraternities
The Alumni Greek Life Scholarships are awarded to members of sororities and fraternities who exhibit strong leadership in both their chapters and on campus.
Sororities and fraternities compete in the annual Pep Supper fundraiser at TD Arena. (Photo by Mary Muldoon)
The College of Charleston is rooted in tradition, and one tradition that has stood the test of time is the Pep Supper.
Pep Supper is one of the oldest traditions at the College, dating back almost 100 years. The event got its name from its beginning as a dinner dance held at the historic Hibernian Hall to celebrate the start of men’s basketball season.
Ann Pryor ’83, vice president of alumni affairs, remembers the event during her time as a member of Alpha Delta Pi: “It was great, raucous fun – and a bonding opportunity!”
During Pryor’s time at the College, it involved members coming up with fun skits. Today, the Pep Supper features synchronized dancing and a focus on student philanthropy.
Invigorated by the excitement of Pep Supper and the nostalgia of their sorority and fraternity days, alumni are now paying it forward for future generations. Thanks to their generous support, the College established the Alumni Greek Life Scholarships. The scholarships are awarded to members of sororities and fraternities who exhibit strong leadership in both their chapters and on campus.
“Alumni seeing the need to give back lets me know their Greek life experience had an impact on them,” says Deronda Washington, senior associate director of the Higdon Center for Student Leadership and Fraternity and Sorority Life. “They are leaving a legacy for future generations.”
Jack Hornsby, an inaugural recipient of the Alumni Greek Life Scholarships, is one of these leaders. The senior geology major is a proud member of the Alpha chapter of Pi Kappa Phi and has served in executive roles within his fraternity.
“At Pi Kappa Phi, we want to be exceptional leaders, so to be selected as an inaugural recipient of a leadership-based award is an honor,” he says, adding that credits his Pi Kappa Phi experience with creating community at the College. “My time in Greek life has allowed me to form relationships with people who I otherwise would have never met. My brothers will be my brothers for life, and I know I can count on them to be lifelong friends.”
To strengthen their leadership skills, Hornsby and others in the College’s fraternity and sorority community have the opportunity to participate in programs like the Greek Emerging Leaders Program and Greek Leadership Institute. These programs help students develop crucial leadership skills that they can use in their chapters and beyond.
“In our community, we have some of the best students on campus and the best of the best leaders,” says Washington, who hopes that when students see that alumni are supporting their journey, they will be motivated to give back, too.
The tight-knit sorority and fraternity community of the past is certainly helping pave way for its future leaders.
