DIANE MAKAR MURPHY YSU Greeks sponsor evening of entertainment

If you're used to seeing bad news about the college Greek system of fraternities and sororities, you'll be happy to know, this column is different.
While the horror stories of hazings and misbehavior make headlines, and the movies make anti-heroes of "Animal House" residents (who can forget John Belushi?), the truth is somewhere else.
You can see for yourself if you attend the "Greek Sing Competition" and award ceremony at Stambaugh Auditorium next month. It's free and we're all invited -- particularly if you are a YSU Greek alumnus.
It's a celebration! Greg Gulas, student activities assistant director, wants to "pack the place" in celebration of the event's 50th anniversary.
For all those decades, the Greek Sing has featured the talents of sorority and fraternity members, as well as serving as a prologue to the presentation of awards for community service, leadership, and academics.
"The stereotypes are something we have to combat," said Melanie Koontz, graduate program assistant in YSU's office of Student Life, and a former Ohio State University sorority sister who is helping organize the event. "Each group was founded with standards for community service and a commitment to higher academics."
"We're not all angels," she admitted, "but we get more publicity for our negatives. I'd like to think we do much more good than bad."
Some of the philanthropic endeavors of YSU's Greeks include raising money for Hope House, Youngstown Hearing and Speech Center and Gallaudet University (the Washington, D.C., college that serves the hearing impaired), and supporting Easter Seals.
Community involvement: Zeta Tau Alpha participated in the Youngstown North Side cleanup and works to promote breast cancer awareness. YSU's Gamma Pi chapter of Phi Kappa Tau has worked with the American Heart Association. Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity of YSU claims to be the largest contributor to the MDA (Muscular Dystrophy Association) among Youngstown organizations in the last 10 years.
Others support the Children's Miracle Network, donate to Forum Health Tod Children's Hospital, Project America, and the American Red Cross.
Said Gulas, "I'll bet better than 70 percent of Greek activities are philanthropic."
Gulas's enthusiasm is obvious, as he hurries in and out of the conference room in YSU's Kilcawley Hall, hunting for literature about the groups and the show.
The event, which is a combination award ceremony and musical review features the singing talents of nine Greek organizations. Each group performs, then trophies and other awards are given.
Theme: The theme this year is "Legends," implying songs popularized by legendary performers like Frank Sinatra and Michael Jackson. The theme was announced in January; groups and individuals submitted requests to participate, and people started practicing.
"They all take it seriously," Gulas said. "This is the culmination of a Greek year of festivities. It's a night of camaraderie where you put aside your letters, your individual sorority or fraternity, and celebrate as a community. Heck, some of them hire a conductor -- it may be a student who's in the Dana [School of Music], but they definitely try to one up one another. I've seen back flips on stage."
Alumni: More than half of the members of each Greek organization participate.
While the annual event is always open to the public, this year is special because in celebration of its 50th anniversary, Koontz and Gulas are making a point of inviting former YSU sorority and fraternity members. "We'll be selling special anniversary T-shirts for $5 with all the current chapters on the front," Gulas said, "and all the chapters who've participated since Greek Sing began on the back."
For more information about Greek Sing, planned for 6 p.m. April 20 at Stambaugh Auditorium, Fifth Avenue, or to order a T-shirt, you can call Koontz at (330) 742-7459 or Gulas at (330) 742-3580. Otherwise, just show up.
murphy@vindy.com