However, there are a number of ways you can further use your Greek organization to your advantage. For example, there are a number of discounts out there that will give you more for your dollar. And no, I’m not just talking about Greek apparel and embroidery stores, I mean all sorts of financial benefits (Most of them extend to alumni too, so even if you graduated years ago you’re still eligible).

For example, Textbook Partners (http://textbookpartners.com/) is a company that sells textbooks at discounted prices to sorority and fraternity members and can even help you start fundraisers for your organization. If you’ve ever had to buy textbooks in school, then you know what it’s like to be robbed blind at the beginning of every semester. Why not save some cash and help your sorority or fraternity at the same time?

Also, don’t forget about scholarships! Most organizations have a special section on their websites especially dedicated to scholarships, grants, and other types of academic financial aid. But you can also seek out help not offered specifically through your organization. A good website to check out is: http://www.free-4u.com/fraterni.htm which has a number of non-affiliated scholarships every year for a certain amount of sororities and fraternities. Don’t forget that many individual chapters often have their own annual scholarships as well, so your alumni adviser is often your best resource. Your organization takes enough money from you every year, why not start trying to get some of it back?

There are many ways for Greek alumni to stay actively involved in their organizations through employment. Yes, that’s right. You can work for your organization. In fact, did you know some organizations don’t even require you to be a Greek alum in order to work for a Greek organization? Many people find it an extremely rewarding experience and say that it helps them feel less disconnected from their college experiences. So what kinds of jobs are available? That depends largely on your organization, since each one is unique and operates differently.

But here are some strategies to help you find out. A great way to start is by contacting the national headquarters of your sorority or fraternity. HQs are often looking for people who know the ins and outs of Greek life as well as how to effectively run an organization. So if you have either of those skills, you’re a pretty good candidate. If you have both of those skills, then you’re a great one. Belong to a local organization? Then your best bet is probably to ask your chapter’s current president or alumni adviser about any available opportunities. Also, your former college or university can be a useful tool, as they frequently need Greek representatives to be a part of staff administrative positions.

Don’t forget that your most valuable resource is yourself. There’s always a need for people with fresh new ideas and capabilities in any organization, so if there currently isn’t an opening for the type of job you want, market yourself and create it!

Here we’ve listed some of the famous or celebrity members of many popular sororities, women who started just as any other sister and rose to become great authors, singers, politicians, authors or artists:

Alpha Chi Omega

Trista Rehn – Bachelorette

Alpha Delta Pi

Nancy Grace – CNN Journalist

Alpha Phi

Jeri Ryan – Actress
Kimberly Williams – Actress

Chi Omega

Lucy Liu – Actress

Alpha Kappa Alpha

Jada Pinkett Smith – Actress
Alicia Keys – Singer

Delta Gamma

Julia Louis-Dreyfus – Actress
Patricia Heaton – Actress

Delta Phi Epsilon

Bette Midler – Singer, Actress

Delta Sigma Theta

Aretha Franklin – Singer
Natalie Cole – Singer

Delta Zeta

Joy Behar – The View

Delta Delta Delta

Katie Couric – CBS Anchor
Molly Sims – Actress, Model
Hoda Kotb – Today Show
Sara Blakely – Spanx Creator

Gamma Phi Beta

Kristin Chenoweth – Actress

Kappa Alpha Theta

Holly Hunter – Actress
Sheryl Crow – Singer

Kappa Delta

Ali Landry – Former Miss USA, Actress
Georgia O’Keefe – Artist

Kappa Kappa Gamma

Ashley Judd – Actress
Kate Spade – Designer

Zeta Tau Alpha

Erin Andrews – ESPN Reporter

Chi Psi
• Bill Belichick – NFL Coach

Delta Chi
• Ashton Kutcher – Actor
• Kevin Costner – Actor

Delta Kappa Epsilon
• George H. W. Bush – Former President
• George W. Bush – Former President
• J.P. Morgan – Entrepreneur
• Dick Clark – Entertainer


Delta Tau Delta
• Drew Carey – Entertainer
• Matthew McConaughey – Actor
• Will Ferrell – Actor


Delta Upsilon
• Tommy Hilfiger – Designer

Kappa Sigma
• Edward R. Murrow – Journalist
• Jimmy Buffett – Singer
• Robert Redford – Actor
• Ted Turner – Entrepreneur

Lambda Chi Alpha
• Benjamin Bratt – Actor
• Kenny Chesney – Singer
• Will Forte – Actor

Pi Kappa Alpha
• Colonel Sanders – Founder KFC
• Bobby Bowden – College Football Coach
• Tim McGraw – Singer
• Jeremy Piven – Actor

Phi Gamma Delta
• Jack Nicklaus – Professional Golfer
• Donald Trump – Entrepreneur
• Matthew Fox – Actor
• Johnny Carson – Entertainer

Phi Kappa Tau
• Paul Newman – Actor, Entrepreneur
• Bob Hope, Entertainer

Psi Upsilon
• Bud Wilkenson – College Football Coach

Sigma Alpha Epsilon
• David Spade – Actor
• Fred Savage – Actor
• Nick Lachey – Singer
• Troy Aikman – Former Pro Football Player

Sigma Chi
• Brad Pitt – Actor
• Andy Rooney – Journalist
• David Letterman – Entertainer
• Mike Ditka – Former Pro Football Player
• Tom Selleck – Actor
• Warren Beatty – Actor
• Matt Groening- Simpson’s Creator

Sigma Nu
• Eli Manning – Pro Football Player
• Paul Rudd – Actor

Sigma Phi Epsilon
• Dave Thomas – Founder of Wendy’s
• Dr. Seuss – Author
• James Naismith – Creator of Basketball

Tau Kappa Epsilon
• Elvis Presley – Singer
• Les Paul – Musician
• Willie Nelson – Singer
• Ronald Reagan – Former President

When most people hear the term “hazing” it conjures up images of greek letter orgs. Unfortunately, hazing occurs in many arenas including fraternities and sororities,,athletic teams, student organizations (like marching bands) at both the high school and collegiate levels, and even the military. Most believe that hazing in fraternities and in general is nothing more than silly antics and harmless pranks. This is a direct reflection of what’s been seen on tv and movies such as Animal House. However, what really transcends on college campuses is dramatically different than the humorous images depicted in the big screen. Hazing is abusive, and an inaappropriate leverage of power that can have debilitating and even have life-threatening consequences. Hazing is responsible for deaths in college fraternities and countless more physical injuries including paralysis. Not to mention the devastating emotional effects that can result for so many young men and women who endure verbal abuse.

It seems like a fair question to ask why young men and women engage in such activities just to belong to a group? To really be able to answer, you have to have a deeper understanding of hazing. The key issue is consent to partake in the activity. Many states that have anti-hazing legislation recognize the variable that is the intensity of the peer pressure. It has such a large influence that prevents victims from being able to truly consent to participate in the questionable activities.

Another contributing factor is secrecy. Potential new members don’t know ahead of time the intricate details of what their pledge process will entail. Add to the element of surprise the fact that often times hazing is something that escalates as the pledge class or line is coming closer to completing the process. A sensitive mental state along with fatigue and exhaustion don’t exactly help with having the fortitude to stop the hazing. Another very big factor is the desire to prove that whatever obstacles faced can be overcome. Finding validation in the survival of such a process can be a tremendous pull.

Stay tuned for more on the different types of hazing.

We’ll talk more in depth about the myths hazing, the different types of hazing, and just some solid advice on how to deal if you find yourself in the situation.  Let’s start with this video.

Stay tuned more reasons to Go Greek!

So we’re a little behind with posting this video, sorry! The Sigmas were looking mighty intense on this episode!