Greek Week brings sense of community

UIC sorority members compete in a Tug-of-War event during Greek Week 2014.

More than 600 UIC students are having fun, giving back and creating a sense of community during Greek Week, which wraps up Thursday.

“There are over 600 UIC students coming together from all different majors and academic backgrounds to show a larger commitment and commemorate the work they have to done,” said Bertram Dugan, assistant program director for Campus Programs and Greek life adviser. 

Since the 1970s, UIC’s Greek life has been centered around five core values: leadership, academic excellence, social justice and selfless service, sisterhood/brotherhood and high social standards.

“We recognize service, academic excellence and leadership. There are organizations here that help out the community and students on how to be a better leader and grow at a professional level,” said Adrian Villarreal, a junior in chemistry who’s a member of the Lambda Theta Phi fraternity and president of the Greek Programming Board.

Greek members collaborated to plan the week’s events. A unity photo for all students involved in Greek life is set for noon Wednesday at the spiral staircase outside Student Center East. The Greek Scene talent show wraps up the week Thursday at 6 p.m. in the Illinois Room, Student Center East.

“It’s a time to come together and realise we started with the same purpose.” said Stephanie Tena, a junior in psychology who’s a member of the Delta Phi Epsilon sorority and president of the Collegiate Panhellenic Council.

The week brings UIC’s 31 fraternities and sororities together, Dugan said.

“It’s so important at an urban institution that they feel a sense of community and belonging,” he said. “I’d like to think Greek Week can be the bridge to hold that together – to create a strong sense of unity and collaboration.”