On Sept. 21, Harwood Arena welcomed students, alumni, faculty, and visitors to the greatly anticipated Meet the Greeks event. Meet the Greeks is an event where fraternities and sororities from far and wide gather to spread their word and recruit new members.

This annual event began at 6:30 p.m. Students were able to connect with sororities and fraternities while enjoying the spirit of Greek Life. The festivities and activities ended at 10 p.m. 

Each organization had their own table to represent their specific sorority or fraternity. At these tables, students could speak directly with representatives from each organization to learn more about their group.

All Greek organizations were present at this event, including the dozens of local, national and multicultural soroities and fraternities. Students had the opportunity to network with these organizations, some including:

• Beta Kappa Sigma
• Chi Upsilon Sigma National Sorority
• Delta Phi Epsilon
• Kappa Beta Gamma
• Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority Inc.
• Nu Sigma Phi
• Nu Theta Chi
• Sigma Beta Chi
• Theta Phi Alpha

For anyone interested in learning more about the different sororities and fraternities that Kean has to offer, students are free to visit Cougar Link.

Highlights of the event were the performances consisting of highly coordinated moves and group chants that created a sense of unity between members. That unity was one of the qualities that students look for in their ideal Greek organization. 

“I’d say my ideal organization is one that looks like a family,” said Rosy Cruz, an alumni of kean university and Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority member. “Each organization is like a family. In family, you have ups and downs, but at the end of the day, it’s a family.

Being an immigrant from a low income household, Cruz  felt empowered by the sorority. The feelings for her organization is still strong, as Cruz, now a graduate student from New York, made the effort to perform with her fellow sisters. 

"[Lambda Theta Alpha] doesn’t end when you graduate, it’s a lifestyle," said Cruz.

Like Cruz, Bianca Nunez, a senior communications major, relfected on her ideal organization.

“A group that makes you feel welcome….gives you the time to figure out life while also trying to volunteer….and make friends,” said Bianca Nunez, a senior studying communications.

Nunez revealed that she had trouble making friends after high school. When she became interested in the Chi Upsilon Sigma National Latin Sorority, she got to know them better and make many friends.

“I love them, they’re always very welcoming and they’ve grabbed my attention the whole way through since I’ve been here,” said Nunez.

Freshman and Graphic Design Major Gabriele Correa, was new to the Greek community. Correa came to Meet the Greeks in order to learn more about the Greek organizations.

“I’ve heard a lot about it. I wanted to know it [and] get familiar with the culture here at Kean,” said Correa. Correa believes that being a member of an orgabnization will let her feel a part of the community, while also making friends.

Representatives from different organizations had the opportunity to give advice to students interested in Greek life. 

“For students looking to join an organization, I would say do your research,” said Kean Alumni Shayleen Cdaryanna. In her time at Kean, she balanced her studies in entrepreneurship and sign-language with her duties as vice-president of Mu Sigma Upsilon. 

“Balancing school life and Greek life isn’t hard,” said Cdaryanna’s. “Things you want to do, you will get done…just make sure that you are focused on school. School is the priority.”

Kean Alumni Romelah Donazal, helped run the Omega Epsilon Rho Service Sorority Inc table at Meet the Greeks. She studied psychology, with a minor in sociology, while also being a member of the sorority. Donazal encouraged interested students to look for an organization that best fits their needs.

“Find an organization that definitely fits you as an individual…what you’re looking for,” said Donazal.

Meet the Greeks was not just a fun event but a great opportunity to connect with individuals and create bonds that last a lifetime.