Dear New Cardinal-

On behalf of Jewell’s Greek System, we would like to welcome you to The Hill!  The Hill is a unique place and we know that you are going to treasure your time at William Jewell College.

Students come to Jewell for many different reasons, but the most common reason heard is for the academic opportunities associated with studying at a liberal arts college, especially that of Jewell.  If academics are one of the reasons that you cited for to coming to Jewell, fear not, for there is plenty of academia awaiting you.  We are hoping that fun was also somewhere on your list when you were picking out your school, because there is much more to college than just the time that you will spend in the classroom! It is very important for you to get involved outside of the classroom in ways that will enhance and supplement your education goals.  Joining a fraternity or sorority is a terrific way to advance your academic career, immerse yourself in the college community, make lifelong friends, and have the time of your life!

Time; you will never have more, and less of it, at the same time in your life.  New students often question whether they’ll have enough time to join a Greek organization and wonder if time will permit them to do well academically. The facts speak for themselves. For the past several years, all of Jewell’s Greek organizations scored higher than the all-campus GPA.  Equally astonishing, all seven of Jewell’s Greek organizations accumulated chapter GPA averages exceeding 3.0!

All Jewell Greek organizations place a primary emphasis on academics, but this is just one aspect of Greek life at Jewell. We are also very active in the community. Last year, Jewell Greeks raised over $11,000 for local and national charities and to support our national/international fraternal foundations. In addition to raising money, Jewell Greeks spent over 4,000 hours volunteering in the community. This is above and beyond other non-monetary efforts such as providing support to the campus Honduras mission trip, bringing the Ali Kemp Educational Foundation to Jewell to provide self defense training to women on campus, collecting over 25,000 pounds of food for Harvesters, making and delivering decorated IV covers for children at Children’s Mercy Hospital and valentines to a local nursing home, programming on skin cancer awareness, collecting toys for deserving children at Christmas, sponsoring children internationally who are in need, raising money and supplies for impoverished countries, adopting a highway in Liberty and the list goes on and on. As you can see, Jewell Greeks are leaders and contributors in the campus, local and global communities.

It doesn’t end with books and service; this just scratches the surface of what Greek Life entails.  Many of you have very ambitious plans after you graduate; Greek Life can definitely help to get you on your way to accomplishing those goals. If you join a Greek organization, you will not only forge life-long bonds and gain some of the closest friends you will ever have, you’ll also be challenged in ways that broaden your leadership skills. Taking a leadership role in a fraternity or sorority is, in essence, playing the role of a managing business partner. Each Greek organization at Jewell generates and manages budgets in the tens of thousands of dollars.  Jewell Greeks are not only active in their chapters, but the vast majority of Greeks are involved in organizations on campus outside of their fraternity or sorority. Many assume leadership roles in non-Greek organizations like Student Senate, CUA, and athletics, as well.

Lastly, with academic and philanthropic credentials that impressive, you are probably thinking, “so where does my social life fit in to all of this?” Don’t worry! There are endless social opportunities that Greek Life offers.  Each fraternity and sorority host many events that members can participate in.  From formal dances and bonfires to Royals games and weekend trips, you will always have opportunities to have a great time with your friends.  Being a member of a Greek organization is not just a part of college. You’ll be Greek for the rest of your life and it is a wonderful networking tool that will be a great asset to you as you leave Jewell and seek employment or continued education through graduate school.

In closing, we’re very excited that you have chosen Jewell and hope you’ll consider joining a fraternity or sorority, or at least giving Rush and Recruitment a try in the fall.  For complete details about joining a Greek organization, please visit our website at: ../../gen/william_and_jewell_generated_pages/Greek_Life_Home_m34.html, or simply go to www.jewell.edu , look under “Campus Life” and you will see a link to Greek Life. Our web site provides complete information about the process of joining a Greek organization and information about our zero-tolerance hazing policy. Also, online applications will be available in the near future for both Fraternity Rush and Sorority Recruitment. Should you have any questions about Greek Life, do not hesitate to contact Jaime Pruitt, Director of Student Activities (816-415-5931 or pruittj@william.jewell.edu) or either of us. We are looking forward to seeing you on the Hill!

Congratulations, welcome, and Go Greek!

David Keeler                                                                                         Kate Wooldridge

Interfraternity Council President                                                     Panhellenic Council President

816-520-6283                                                                                      913-568-2693

keelerd@william.jewell.edu                                                             wooldridgek@william.jewell.edu