» Home

» Welcome

» Feature

» Campus Life

» Alumni Connection

» Athletic Update

» Wesleyan Memory

» Archive

Select class year: 1966 1967 1994 1995 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2004

Greek Organizations Develop Well-Rounded Students

With Homecoming just around the corner, I thought it would be fitting to recognize a group of individuals that contribute so much to the festivities- the Greeks. This, of course, includes both current students as well as alumni.

At Homecoming, you will see how much Greek life is a part of Wesleyan's traditions. From banners, floats in the parade, fund-raising activities around campus, and proud supporters at the football and soccer games, you cannot help but notice the vital part the Greek organizations play on campus.

What many may not know is some of the less obvious, but very important, influences Greek organizations have as members of the Wesleyan campus community. Here are some statistics that demonstrate this:

• Student retention is 32% higher among Greeks than the balance of the student body.
  (Source: WVWC Office of Student Affairs, 2004)

• The average GPA among sororities and fraternities is higher than students who remain independent.
  (Source: WVWC Office of Student Affairs, 2004)

• An average of over 2000 hours of community service is contributed each year by Greek organizations in various projects both on campus and in the community.
  (Source: WVWC Office of Greek Affairs, 2004)

• Scholarships are provided by national and local chapters of fraternities and sororities each year.
  (Source: WVWC Office of Alumni Relations, 2004)

• Of the 23% of alumni who donate giftsto the College, 52% have a Greek affiliation.
  (Source: WVWC Office of Alumni Relations, 2004)

• The Greek Alumni Council (members include alumni of all fraternities and sororities, who work with the College and the undergraduate student fraternity and sorority members on various issues) has pledged $150,000 to the Virginia Thomas Law Center for the Performing Arts.
  (Source: WVWC Office of Alumni Relations, 2004)

Clearly, Wesleyan appreciates every individual's contribution to its vitality, but this month I thought it was fitting to honor those members of Greek organizations, both current students and alumni. I would like to invite all alumni, friends and family to Homecoming so you can see some of the new additions to campus, as well as the traditional favorites that helped create fond memories of Wesleyan for all of us.

Susan Gifford
Second Vice-President Alumni Council

 

Class Notes: October 2005
E-mail your Class Notes to alumni@wvwc.edu

1966
JAMES J.(JOHN) DAVIES, The Villages, FL, retired May 2005 from the IBM Corporation after 37 years of service. At the time of his retirement, he was program director for Global Business Partner Compliance Group overseeing internal controls for IBM's 90,000 business partners in 160 Countries. In August 2005, he and his wife, Susan, relocated from Brookfield, CT to The Villages, FL, where they have built a new home. Upon leaving Connecticut, Davies received a citation from the State of Connecticut's General Assembly in appreciation for his leadership, commitment, and service to the State of Connecticut, and the community of Brookfield. Davies fully retired from the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve in December 2004 after 38 years of service. He served in Vietnam with the 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment. He rose from the rank of Private retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel. His retirement ceremony was held aboard the USS Constitution in Boston Harbor. He serves as a member of the Board of Trustees at West Virginia Wesleyan College. John and Susan's daughter, Karyn Wright, a 1993 graduate of Wesleyan, lives in Westfield, NJ with her husband, David '93 and their three children, Brennan 7, Tyler 6, and Kelly 2. Their son, John, lives in Danbury, CT with his wife Michelle. * DENNIS M. HOLT, Jacksonville, FL, received the 2005 Award for Innovative Excellence in Teaching, Learning and Technology during the 16th International Conference on College Teaching and Learning in Jacksonville. Dennis is professor of curriculum and instruction at the University of North Florida.

1995
DENISE BLAND REJONIS, Kearneysville, WV, and her husband, R. JOHN REJONIS, ’95, announce the birth of their daughter, Rowan Aliyah, on December 1, 2004. (Left Picture) Maternal grandparents are STEPHEN (STEVE) BLAND '64 and DONNA GAITHER BLAND BLAND '66.