Fraternities and sororities have planned a wide variety of events for Southern Illinois University at Carbondale’s 2021 Homecoming week. 

Alivia Hall, president of the Panhellenic Association Council and senior member of Delta Zeta sorority, said many Greek organizations are participating in school spirit and charity events.

“Typically all Greek organizations do the homecoming float building competition,” Hall said. “For example, Delta Zeta is doing a philanthropy event called Sweet Tea with the DZ’s. They will be selling sweet tea at the tailgate in efforts to raise money for our philanthropies that we partner with.” 

According to Hall the Greek organizations homecoming events are planned by the organizations themselves and are a way to work on getting the word out about their philanthropy.

Many of the fraternities and sororities are excited to participate in homecoming again, Hall said.

Patrick Murphy, president of Omega Delta, said his group will be hosting its Pig Roast.

“We typically do our annual pig roast at homecoming. We’ve also participated in the float parade with partnering fraternities and sororities,” Murphy said.

 This year’s Pig Roast will be held at Saluki Row from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m, Murphy said.

“We’d like to make this our best one yet. It’s our third annual pig roast, so we’re selling tickets right now to that event,” he said.

Murphy said Omega Delta’s  pig roast  is an opportunity for the brothers to raise money for charity, selling chips and sandwiches for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Anyone who wants to come can buy tickets from one of the brothers.

Daniel Farrell, a member of Sigma Chi fraternity, said his organization  will be hosting a tailgate for the homecoming football game, and partnering with other groups for the homecoming parade.

Farrell said the brothers are working with FarmHouse and Delta Zeta on building a float for the homecoming parade.

Reed Jostes, a member and the social chair of FarmHouse fraternity, said that his group  will be partnering with Omega Delta and Alpha Gamma Delta for the parade.

“YES! One of the cornerstones to the college experience is homecoming and the events that go with it. That experience is only amplified by the networking opportunities being in a Greek organization offers. We are more excited than ever to begin participating in these activities again post-COVID,” Jostes said.

Jostes said that he believes that it is not about winning the best float, but that all the Greek organizations should enjoy spending time with each other.

“Float building is one of those “little things” that our alumni say they look back on and miss most about college. We are excited to provide that experience to our members again this year,” Jostes said.

Emma Braning, a member of Alpha Gamma Delta said that her sorority will be participating in the float parade as well.

According to Braning, one of her sorority sisters, Emily Buikema, is running for homecoming royalty.  

Hall said that the Greek sororities and Fraternities will be participating in the different events all throughout homecoming week. From the voting for Homecoming Royalty on Monday, the Blood Drive on Wednesday, and the Homecoming Block Party on Thursday.

“Homecoming is one of SIU’s longest standing traditions, and it is well known that Greeks love homecoming. Being Greek is working together to make our campus a better place,” Hall said.

Staff reporter Janiyah Gaston can be reached at [email protected] or on Instagram at @janiyah_reports. To stay up to date with all your Southern Illinois news follow the Daily Egyptian on Facebook and Twitter.

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