Hundreds of students gathered at the Rock on Farm Lane on Thursday for the Greek Fall Welcome BBQ.
The annual event invites interested students to meet members of the different sororities and fraternities at MSU while learning about the chapters.
Panhellenic Council Executive Board Member and education senior Christina Sauchak said the event is important because educates students about the greek community and helps to banish stereotypes which surround the community.
“Greek life makes up such a small percentage of our student population at MSU so this is a chance for (students) to meet members in greek life,” Sauchak said.
With more than 60 greek letter organizations on campus, the barbecue is similar to Sparticipation in the sense that it brings all the organizations together at one place at the same time.
Interfraternity Council Executive Board Member and political science-prelaw senior Josh Velasquez said he was happy to see all of the different chapters come out to support the event.
“It’s amazing to show what our community can do,” Velasquez said. “There’s so many students united through the greek community and it’s a great example for opportunities for students to grow ... that’s what we’re really here for, is giving opportunities to students.”
Psychology sophomore Lizz Eden, who plans to rush, said she enjoys the community aspect of the barbecue and greek life in general.
“I like how they do fraternities and sororities at the same time so it’s all integrated,” Eden said.
Food, contests, giveaways and live music, which was added to the event this year, were all a part of the annual barbecue. Students were able to purchase raffle tickets which could be used to enter to win prizes such as a signed basketball from Head Coach Tom Izzo to apparel from Vineyard Vines and Victoria’s Secret Pink.
The tickets could also be redeemed at the dunk tank, golf game, or other activities occurring during the event.
In traditional greek fashion, philanthropy played an important role in the event.
100 percent of the ticket proceeds went to a new fund the family of Lacey Holsworth created called “Princess Lacey’s Legacy.”
Sauchak said the fund will support the pediatric rehabilitation unit at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing with the hope to give the gift of dance lessons, which was close to Lacey’s heart.
In addition to ticket proceeds going towards the Holsworth family’s fund, a photo booth was set up to raise awareness for a former member of the greek community who was recently diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma, Alex Berlin.
Attendees were able to take a photo with a sign which said “Lift For Berlin,” which will be used for a social media awareness blast.
