The Greek community at West Virginia University will come together for the first-ever Greek Leadership Summit to focus on key values and leadership heading into the 2014-15 school year.

The Summit will be held on Friday (Aug. 15) from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Erickson Alumni Center. Fraternity and sorority presidents, other chapter officers and chapter advisors will assemble with WVU faculty and staff to focus on the founding principles of the Greek community – scholarship, leadership, service, brotherhood and sisterhood. More than 100 participants are expected to attend.

“Many see Greek life as one big party, but it’s more than that. Greek life is about unity, brotherhood and sisterhood and giving back to our community, said Michael Seabrook, current member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. “I’m excited about the Greek Leadership Summit, so that we can stress to Greek members the importance of our role on and off-campus.”

In December 2013, WVU formed a Greek Advisory Council – comprised of representatives from each of the three leadership councils, faculty, staff, students, Greek advisors and community leaders – decided that a “Greek Leadership Summit” was needed.

On Friday, participants will attend workshops and presentations from various speakers in an attempt to explore ways to reestablish the Greek community on campus and in the Morgantown community, to discuss leadership strategies, social behavior within their chapters and community and ways to improve accountability and lines of communication.

“The Student Organizations Services office is committed to fostering leadership development with all student organizations on campus. The Greek community should set the example for all student organizations to follow,” said Bob Campione, interim director for Student Organizations Services.

Kevin Berry, associate director and chief operating office of the WVU Alumni Association and alumni member of Phi Sigma Kappa, will be the keynote speaker at the Summit. WVU President Gordon Gee is also expected to stop by and share his thoughts on Greek life and the responsibility these organizations have as campus leaders and role models. Facilitators and presenters will include representatives from the WVU Office of Student Conduct, Student Organizations Services, University Relations, WELLWVU, alumni and student leaders.

The WVU Greek community is home to three Greek leadership councils, 31 chapters, and more than 1,500 students.

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CONTACT: Melanie Cook, Office of Student Conduct
304.293.8111, mjcook@mail.wvu.edu

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