At the end of the semester, I am grateful for being in this amazing speech class with all of you. I appreciate your presence and guidance in teaching me a lot. Today, I would like to discuss Greek life – an enriching experience that provides personal development, new relationships, and a fulfilling conclusion to college. In this speech, we will delve into its historical origins, purpose, and related misconceptions.
According to gmu.edu, the fraternity system in the early 1800s witnessed growth with the formation of Kappa Alpha, Sigma Phi, and Delta Phi. These three organizations are now known as the Union Triad. The expansion continued as fraternities were established at Miami University in Ohio, including Beta Theta Pi, Delta Theta, and Sigma Chi. Together, they formed the Miami Triad. These initial associations paved the way for extensive growth of the Greek system in colleges for nearly a century.
The first sorority, Alpha Delta Pi, was established in the 1850s. Gamma Phi Beta is also officially referred to as a sorority. However, what does it mean to be a sorority? According to Wikipedia, sororities and fraternities derive their names from the Latin words “frater” and “soror,” meaning brother and sister respectively. These organizations are social in nature. Therefore, the purpose of these fraternal organizations is explained by Greekloyalty.com as serving their college and community with dignity and respect.
According to Tripod.com, Greek life in colleges and universities has valid reasons for its existence despite various stereotypes associated with it. These stereotypes include promoting excessive drinking and drug use, limited personal space or time, being depicted solely on television, participating in hazing activities, joining just to gain friends by paying for them, and not contributing to local communities. Although some of these stereotypes may have some truth to them, Greek life holds a deeper meaning that explains why it continues to be an integral part of campus life.
Despite Greek life not being discontinued, it still provides advantages for students. Although it may not be suitable for all individuals, participating in Greek life can foster personal development, the establishment of new relationships, and ultimately result in a fulfilling college experience. I trust that the information provided regarding its background, objective, and misconceptions has been useful. If you desire to explore this subject further, I recommend conducting additional research. Thank you and have a pleasant and secure summer.
