Greek alumni return to IU for Homecoming

Alumni are essential to the greek system’s Homecoming celebrations.

Drew Morris, the new president of Kappa Sigma, said the fraternity will bring about 50 alumni to its house during Homecoming weekend.

“Our most traditional event with the alumni has to be the tailgate event we have the Saturday of Homecoming weekend, right after the brunch we host for them,” Morris said.

While some greek houses are bringing in alumni, other fraternities plan on pairing with sororities for Homecoming.

Mike Slott of Phi Kappa Sigma said because the chapter is fairly new to IU’s campus, it’s not expecting too many alumni.

Instead, the fraternity will pair with Alpha Gamma Delta sorority to have barbecues and mixers during Homecoming Week.

“I feel that we are unique as a fraternity because of how new we are and what we have to go through to create traditions on our own,” Slott said.

Phi Mu president Shannon Alcala said the sorority recently celebrated its 90th anniversary, so she plans on many alumni coming back to tailgate. A lot of Phi Mu’s members participate in the Nearly Naked Mile and other events leading up to the Homecoming game, she said.

Aaron Barnes and Michaela Flash, president and vice president of the National Pan-Hellenic Council, respectively, said a special scholarship banquet  will take place Friday in honor of Dr. James Mumford, famous professor in the music and theater programs at IU. As part of the event, a student will be granted a $250 textbook scholarship.  

“With us being a minority organization, it is harder for people to see how hard we work or what we are about if we only serve our specific community,” said Brittany Bullock, one of the event coordinators of NPHC Week and member of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority. “We have worked very hard, and I think the biggest payoff will be people learning something and walking away from our events with a new outlook.”