The Griffon News

 “The Week of the Scholar” is a National Panhellenic Conference-sponsored celebration of scholarship within the sororities on campus.

According to Katy Schwartz, Panhellenic president, this is an opportunity to focus on the organizations’ core value of scholarship and create a network of scholarship within the group. It will run from Nov. 12-16, and several events are planned.

 There was a time management seminar on Monday. Since the sororities expect a high degree of community service, this is an important skill to keep their grade point averages up.

 Two study halls are scheduled for four hours each for all sorority members.

 “Study halls have been really beneficial in the past. All the girls come, usually wear their pj’s and bring cookies or brownies, Schwartz said. “Every chapter brings something. You just kind of hang out and study.”

She thinks it makes studying less stressful and allows the upper classman to help their younger peers.

 They will all be attending the “Sex Rules” lecture together. Schwartz said this is an opportunity to support a university function and learn something too.

“There are competitions within the Greek sororities to promote scholarship, networking and sisterhood,” Emily Feger, Vice President of Member Development, said.

She believes with strong sisterhood, members feel more comfortable coming to each other for help with difficult classes.

  They will finish up the week with a recognition reception to reward all of their hard work. An award will be given to the chapter with the highest GPA, to the three members with the highest GPAs overall and one to each person with the highest GPA in each chapter.

 They also have a philanthropy component during the week, with members going to read at the Helen Davis State School, which is a special needs school here in St. Joseph.

 “With a strong scholarship foundation, you can build anything from that,” Feger said.