WASHINGTON, PA (July 15, 2015) – Washington & Jefferson (W&J) College’s fraternity and sorority organizations have set a new record for themselves, collectively recording the highest number of philanthropy and service hours during the 2014-15 academic year over years past.
“Their actions show that Greek organizations here and throughout the country are really in it for the greater good,” said W&J Fraternity & Sorority Life Director Ashley Broskey. “I’m really proud of our chapters and what they do here. Our groups enjoy the social aspects, but they are about giving back, being responsible citizens and supporting both W&J and the Washington community. They are focused on something greater than themselves.”
W&J’s Greek organizations collectively raised $20,412 in cash donations toward various projects and community groups during the 2014-15 academic year. They also clocked 1,248 philanthropy hours spent fundraising for charitable causes, and 3,844 service hours spent in hands-on service to local causes and community organizations.
Each Greek organization supports a national philanthropy and in addition, W&J’s Greeks each support local organizations through events and fundraising efforts. W&J’s fraternities and sororities also join for Greek-wide events, such clothing drives, toy drives, and the DubStep 12-Hour-Dance-a-Thon which in November 2014 raised $8,068.61 for the B+ Foundation in support of childhood cancer research.
W&J Fraternity and Sorority Life also frequently partners with W&J’s Office of Community Engagement to strengthen efforts and streamline other Greek-wide and campus-wide projects.
Justin Dandoy, Director of Community Engagement, said the offices’ combined effort allows College volunteer groups to do more projects that directly address the needs of the local community.
“Because we’re working together, we can share what we’ve learned in the community, determine what the need actually is, and address it effectively,” he said. “Our effort is much more targeted, and in being so, it’s more effective.”
During the 2014-15 academic year, W&J Greek organizations assisted Highland Ridge Community Development Corporation, Habitat for Humanity, Washington Humane Society, Washington City Mission, and the Lemoyne Community Center through the Greeks Give Back effort in which, with Dandoy’s help, they identify community agencies in need and work with them on a day-long project.
“We’re seeing more students identifying issues and saying, ‘This is what I want to do about it.’ They’re coming to me, and to Ashley, with their own ideas,” Dandoy said.
W&J is home to 10 Greek Letter organizations, each striving for excellence in academics, leadership, and community service: fraternities Alpha Tau Omega, Beta Theta Pi, Delta Tau Delta, Phi Delta Theta, Phi Gamma Delta (FIJI), and Phi Kappa Psi; and sororities Delta Gamma, Kappa Alpha Theta, Kappa Kappa Gamma and Pi Beta Phi.
For more information about W&J Greek organizations, see the W&J Fraternity and Sorority Life page.
About Washington & Jefferson College
Washington & Jefferson College, located in Washington, Pa., is a selective liberal arts college founded in 1781. Committed to providing each of its students with the highest-quality undergraduate education available, W&J offers a traditional arts and sciences curriculum emphasizing interdisciplinary study and independent study work. For more information about W&J, visit washjeff.dev, or call 888-W-AND-JAY.
