The Greek EMerging Leaders Program

Reflections from GEM Mentor Rachel Smith, '10

As a member of the Greek EMerging Leaders Program (GEM) since I was a sophomore, I have watched the program grow and change drastically over the past two years. As a mentee two years ago, I attended leadership classes that seemed more like lectures, making the experience somewhat boring and non-interactive. Over the past two years GEM has transformed into a significant, beneficial, and exquisite program for potential emerging Greek leaders, compelling me to remain in the program as a mentor.

The current sessions we have held this fall are completely different than my experience as a mentee. The eight GEM Mentors lead the sessions for the 35 mentees, teaching them about leadership while providing continuous interaction among the members and adding our own experiences that we have had within our chapters and expressing our opinions and views. We offer advice that can help them in the future. I am confident that the mentees look up to us and would feel comfortable calling, emailing, and asking us for help and guidance in the future. The atmosphere of GEM is one that bonds the group together and motivates people to become better leaders.

The Greek EMerging Leaders Program is a great way to expand your horizons and meet new people from all other chapters while also gaining insight and knowledge about leadership. My experience has not only shown me how much the program has grown and expanded, but has also provided me with a new network of friends and a group to look towards for guidance and suggestions. As mentors, we go through a training period in which we learn more about ourselves as leaders and also share our experiences, providing each other with ideas we can take back to our chapters. GEM Mentors has made me a more confident and self-assured leader and I believe that many others have the same experience.

The bond GEM has brings the entire Greek Community together. By sharing insights and providing different ways of leading within chapters, GEM gives Greek life a way to become a unified community. As a Greek Community, we are always looking for ways to work together and build strong relationships which is something that Greek EMerging Leaders Program has done. My experience with GEM has been remarkable and rewarding and I think the program will continue to grow and impact many individuals.

Images from Panhellenic Pink Week

IFC Exec Board Members blowing up balloons for Pink Week

Pink Week!

It's Panhellenic Pink Week!

This week Lehigh's Panhellenic Council is celebrating the 5th Annual Panhellenic Pink Week to raise awareness for breast cancer. Proceeds from each event will benefit the Susan G. Komen Foundation. Please show your support for the following events:

Monday, October 19th:

"Bouncing for Breast Cancer" 9am - 6pm, UC Front Lawn (Pi Beta Phi & Chi Phi)

Tuesday, October 20th:

"Bouncing for Breast Cancer" 9am - 4pm, UC Front Lawn (Pi Beta Phi & Chi Phi)

"50 Hour See Saw Marathon" 4pm - 12am, UC Front Lawn (Alpha Omicron Pi & Sigma Chi)

"Cheers for a Cure" 6pm - 8pm, Gander Room (Colleges Against Cancer)

Wednesday, October 21st:

"50 Hour See Saw Marathon" 12am - 12am, UC Front Lawn (Alpha Omicron Pi & Sigma Chi)

"Pink Night" 5pm - 7pm, Rathbone & Cort Dining Rooms (Panhellenic Council & Student Senate)

Thursday, October 22nd:

"50 Hour See Saw Marathon" 12am - 6pm, UC Front Lawn (Alpha Omicron Pi & Sigma Chi)

"Pink Pumpkin Decorating" 12:30pm - 3:30pm, Lamberton Hall (Alpha Chi Omega & the Women's Center)

"Walk for a Cure" 4:15pm - 5pm, Delta Phi (Alpha Phi, Alpha Chi Omega, & Delta Phi)

"Real Men Wear Pink Fashion Show" 5pm - 7pm, PA 101 (Panhellenic Council, University Productions, WLVR)

"Strykes for Tykes" 9:30pm - 11am, Town & Country Lanes (Alpha Gamma Delta & Theta Chi)

Friday, October 23rd:

"Pink Lunch" 11am - 1pm, Johnny's Bagels (Gamma Phi Beta & Kappa Alpha Theta)

Saturday, October 24th:

"Pink Week Dodgeball Tournament" 4pm - 7pm, Grace Hall (ASA & Theta Chi)

Expansion at Lehigh

Reflections on the experience of starting a new fraternity at Lehigh...

Lambda Sigma Upsilon - By Mario Paredes, '11, President

Starting a new chapter of Lambda Sigma Upsilon was a year long process that was not easy, but the benefits are already paying off. In the summer of 2008, current Vice President Randy Tavarez, '10, gathered a group of guys who were in search of an organization on campus that would fill our thirst for diversity, and in fall 2008 we began our recognition process.

With a limited number of options, we felt that it was in our best interest to found a new chapter of Lambda Sigma Upsilon at Lehigh University. With hard work and dedication, we began putting together paper work required for both Lehigh and our national headquarters. We then went through a long and vigorous process of putting together presentations for the Office of Fraternity & Sorority Affairs (OFSA), the Panhellenic Council, and the Interfraternity Council in order to gain recognition on campus. We were officially established as the new Uman Chapter of Lambda Sigma Upsilon Latino Fraternity Inc on April 18, 2009 and since then we have been actively engaged in various events on and off campus.

Our goal this year is to establish our names around the Lehigh community and give students another options when it comes to Greek life. We want to collaborate with as many different organizations around campus as possible. We want students to know that our organization is for everyone, even if you never thought about joining Greek life at Lehigh. We are the most diverse fraternity in the nation and we are looking to spread this idea of open-mindedness here at Lehigh.

So far the OFSA has been very helpful in guiding us in the right direction in becoming a well-respected and established chapter and we are excited to be taking part in the new pilot Accreditation process. Our chapter is still new and small, but with the development of the Multicultural Greek Council and the help and support of many others around campus, we are ready to make a big impact.


Lambda Sigma Upsilon Fraternity


Delta Chi - By Tim Malacrida, '10, President

Starting a new fraternity at Lehigh has been far from easy. Designing and testing the basic operating procedures for a group which is supposed to mesh together and operate successfully is, however, a challenge that has been met by the founding fathers of the Lehigh Colony of Delta Chi.

Excellent alumni support, advising from headquarters staff, and OFSA assistance in all matters have marked the early portion of the founding experience. Over the past six months, the brothers of Delta Chi have worked tirelessly and embraced one another and built bonds that I myself did not think would exist at this point. The members have striven for greater accomplishments and continue to set lofty goals for themselves and their brothers.

Defining the fraternal experience at Delta Chi's Lehigh Colony has been a rich and rewarding experience, providing important life lessons, and opening up the eyes of men who did not know each other to the potential life-long bonds that might exist with shared goals and values.

Delta Chi Fraternity

Welcome MGC!

By Greg Anderson, '10, President, Multicultural Greek Council

The Multicultural Greek Council (MGC) is a new organization that was first constructed at Lehigh University during the spring 2009 semester. While cohesively uniting the culturally-based Greek organizations on campus, MGC also aims to strengthen and maintain a positive, as well as constructive, relationship with both the Interfraternity Council and Panhellenic Council.

Through the open discussion of ideas, the implementation of programs, and the dedication to providing service to others, the members of the Council will promote diversity across the university via unification.

This year, the current culturally-based Greek-letter organizations comprising the Council are: Lambda Sigma Upsilon fraternity, Lambda Theta Alpha sorority, and Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity. Through their determination within MGC, Lehigh University will help foster a stronger and more united multicultural Greek community.

A few current and graduate members of Kappa Alpha Psi

Lehigh members of Lambda Sigma Upsilon along with brothers/friends from other area chapters

Two current members of Lambda Theta Alpha

Members of MGC, along with two Lehigh staff members