04/05/19
By Randy Gonzales
University Relations and Marketing
HAYS, Kan. – Students in Greek life at Fort Hays State University are more than happy to work for a good cause.

FHSU fraternities and sororities are wrapping up their annual Greek Week activities this week. Amidst the laughter and levity, Greeks take seriously their responsibility in giving back to the community. Whether it was at the Tiger Food Exchange, Victor E. Garden or other locations on campus, fraternity and sorority members donated an hour of their time in service earlier this week.

Aaron Satran, Ogallah senior and chapter president of Alpha Gamma Rho, helped flip the compost pile at Victor E. Garden, the university garden that was started several years ago as a service-learning project to provide students with hands-on experience and knowledge of sustainable, local food production for the university.

Satran said it was meaningful to help out.

“It’s important for our chapter – any organization – to give back,” Satran said. “I think most fraternities and sororities would agree we get a lot of help, not only from campus but the whole community.”

Two of Satran’s fraternity brothers, Ford junior Braden Draper and Holly, Colo. senior Brendon Crum, helped rake the compost pile, giving it the needed oxygen in the decomposition process. Satran admitted he was learning on the job, but willing to do the job was what mattered.

“Just taking an hour out of our day is not a big thing but goes a long way to show our appreciation,” Satran said.

Amelia Teter, an Alpha Gamma Delta sophomore from Topeka, also helped out at Victor E. Garden, ridding the patch of weeds in preparation for the growing season.

“In Greek life, one of the pillars is philanthropy,” Teter said. “It’s one of our main goals, to give back to the community. This is one way we can.”

Teter added that during Greek Week, each organization is assigned a project, but each chapter also has its own philanthropy which it assists throughout the school year.

“It says we want to give back to our community, just help in any way, even if it’s small like weeding a garden,” she said.

Grainfield senior Brett Zordel – coordinator for the Food and Hunger Initiatives program, which runs the food bank at Forsyth Library – said the Greeks’ assistance Tuesday was no small matter. Members of Delta Zeta sorority were one of the Greek organizations that helped organize the pantry’s contents.

“We got probably four or five months’ work done today,” Zordel said.

Greeks cleaned the pantry and sorted through cans of food. Food with old expiration dates went to the compost pile at Victor E. Garden, and food close to the expiration date was scheduled for donation to a local food pantry.

Taylor Cawley, Baldwin City sophomore, was hard at work with a half-dozen of her Delta Zeta sorority sisters. She said all thirty-four members of her sorority would chip in for at least an hour of their time before the day was through.

“We do this to stay involved,” Cawley said. “We enjoy the Greek life community so much, we want to give back to another community. Of course it’s work, but I’m here with six of my friends. You can always make it fun.”

Cutline: Members of Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity rake the compost pile at Victor E. Garden Wednesday as part of Greek Week activities. From left are: Aaron Satran, Brendon Crum and Braden Draper.