The weekend arrives with stuff from wet basements on the berms. There’s a sense of urgency to get things cleaned up after the monster rain in Grand Forks a week ago. After all, it’s homecoming next week on the UND campus.
The campus itself seems in disarray with reconstruction projects. Gone for a while is the student center. But life goes on.
Gone for good are the days when women students dressed to the hilt in hats, gloves and heels during rush week. Instead, they gussy up just for the final pledging events at sororities.
At latest count, the seven sororities on campus have 177 new members. The fraternities have pledged 225. Cassie Gerhardt, associate dean of students at UND, says there are more than 400 new members of the Greek community on campus now.
The other fraternities are Alpha Sigma Phi, Alpha Tau Omega, Beta Theta Pi, Delta Tau Delta, Delta Upsilon, Kappa Sigma, Lambda Chi Alpha, Phi Delta Theta, Pi Kappa Alpha, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Sigma Chi, Sigma Nu and Sigma Phi Epsilon.
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The seven sororities are Alpha Chi Omega, Alpha Phi, Delta Gamma, Gamma Phi Beta, Kappa Alpha Theta, Kappa Delta and Pi Beta Phi.
Common mentality
So, why do students join Greek letter groups?
Avery Crayne, a member of Pi Kappa Alpha, says along with social aspects, there is a chance of learning from others. In his case, he enjoys a common mentality with aviation students in his fraternity.
When he started, he was not as involved. Now he is president of the Interfraternity Council. Megan Fix of Pi Beta Phi is president of the Panhellenic Council.
Ask Marilyn
Q. Do you think the turf on which they play football in the Alerus Center needs replacing?
A. Yes. That thought has run through my mind at UND football games this season. It’s looking faded. Now in reading public notices in the Herald, we can see bids will be received until 2 p.m. on Oct. 8 and publicly opened at Grand Forks City Hall. The notice says this project shall be completed and ready for use no later than June 1, 2020.
Q. How big are the pumpkins being groomed for the Pumpkins for Parkinson’s celebration coming up at the YMCA on Oct. 8?
A. They say some are expected to come in over 500 pounds. That’s some pumpkins!
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Q. What clever license plates are being seen around here?
A. BZENYUS, RAYANNE, ME & VERN, ARMYGMA, MADD MAX, KOALA, THE DASH and ZANYSZ. Then there’s STEELRS and SUDS on a pickup truck.
Lynda and Dan
Cheerful people of the week: Lynda Hartman and Dan Norton.
Marilyn Hagerty writes regular columns for the Grand Forks Herald.
