March 2013

By leading in many different environments, they gain even more skills. Many of the Greeks are also involved in residence life. Students make the choice to join a sorority or fraternity because they want to join. Jacob Simon, the president

Society
which made our bond so much tighter and stronger. I have a very close bond with each and every one of my sisters, and Im not sure that would be possible if we were at a bigger school. Having this small setting has really created life long pledging. TUs Greeks are proving that sororities and fraternities can get along with one another. Another stereotype Greeks are given is that they are huge partiers. The Greeks on campus hold many other events such as a Super Bowl

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Breaking Stereotypes: The Greeks Change It Up

Emma Sipes Staff Writer

Greek sororities and fraternities are given so many stereotypes such as being party animals and participating in hazing. And most of the time, these stereotypes are negative. But what these stereotypes fail to mention are the leadership and social skills gained from participating in Greek life. At Tiffin University, the Greek life breaks these misconceptions. The Greeks on Tiffin Universitys campus are considered to be some of the best leaders on campus based on their leadership in other organizations. Greeks must keep a 2.0 GPA in order to be involved in a sorority or fraternity. But on top of that, some individual sororities and fraternities require higher grade point average minimums such as 2.5 and 3.0. Many of the members are also leaders in other organizations on campus. Not only do the members hold positions in their sorority or fraternity, but also they often hold leadership positions in other organizations. Jonathan Allen is not only a brother of Phi Theta Pi fraternity, but he also serves as vice president of membership for Kappa Kappa Psi and is president of Student Government.

Zetas at the Greek Formal

Photo credit Kristin Siegfried

The Life of a College Equestrian: What it Means to be a Student and a Rider

resided at the training facility where Pony would eventually arrive. His brother was sold and when Pony arrived, the trainer noticed on Ponys pedigree that the two were brothers. Pony, yet to be named, was called nicknamed Pony by the trainer so he could keep the horses straight. On January 26th, Tiffin competed at the University of Findlays western barn against 7 other schools. Tiffin came out with the victory, defeating Findlay by one point with Tiffins 27 points to Findlays 26. This is the second time Tiffin has taken a victory at Findlays home barn, says a proud McKibben. At Tiffin University, McKibben competes in both Hunter Seat Equitation and Western Horsemanship. Competing in both disciplines has earned her the title of combo rider on team. Combo riders attend every show the team competes in, while team members who focus on one discipline go to half the shows. Every rider has the opportunity to show in both disciplines at Tiffin University. Tiffin University covers much of the cost for the team, including food, travel, and entry fees. Riders are only expected to purchase their show clothes and commute to the barn on their own dime. McKibben said that she chose Tiffin Universitys equestrian team because it was a varsity sport and comes with scholarship opportunities. I didnt have to supply my own tack or put my horse in the program like other schools require. Tack is the term for the equipment used on the horse while riding, such as the saddle, bridle, girth, etc. As hunt team captain, McKibben faces special challenges. She said that the main purpose of being captain is to serve as a medium between teammates and coaches. McKibben has many other duties as captain; she plans special events like the teams annual benefit poker run at Garlo Heritage Nature Preserve, which raises money for Garlo, the team, and the Make-A-Wish Founda-

of Theta Eta Omicron says, When a person cares for the organization it makes for stronger ties and a desire to take the organization to a new level. With all of that passion it is hard not to create and foster leadership. Greek life at TU is different from other schools because campus is so small. Having this small setting creates lifelong friendships. Katie Farrell, vice president of Sigma Delta Sigma, says, Our sorority is small,

friendships. Another negative stereotype is that Greeks are also perceived as being competitive towards one another. Television portrays Greeks as conniving and always in competition with one another. There may be some competition but the majority of the time, the Greeks at TU work together and get along. At the start of pledge week, the Greeks all came together and had a pizza and ice cream social to kick off

party, blood drives, and Jello wrestling. The Greeks are not always partying. Many Greeks would rather focus on their grades than party every night. A stereotype similar to the party scene is that hazing occurs in Greek life. Tiffin University has a strict code against hazing and enforces it. Pledging is often a time when people assume hazing occurs. But the Greeks take the issue of hazing head on and educate their new mem-

bers about hazing and how to handle any situation that may arise. Cheyenne Hartman, assistant pledge captain for Alpha Iota, says, Pledging with Alpha Iota is something we want our pledges to enjoy. These are future sisters that we respect. We do not subject our pledges to degrading acts. A major avenue where Greeks learn leadership skills is through community service. Alpha Iota holds blood drives and supports autism awareness. Gamma Chi Alpha supports breast cancer awareness. Sigma Delta Sigma supports suicide awareness. Zeta Pi Beta supports Saint Judes cancer research. Phi Theta Pi works with big brothers big sisters. Theta Eta Omicron helps with the Kiwanis Manor. Omega Psi Rho supports AIDS awareness. All of these groups support these organizations around campus and get other students involved as well. While popular culture images of Greek life have many negative stereotypes, that doesnt mean every Greek organization falls into that category. There is much more to being a Greek than partying. Members of Greek life gain leadership skills that will stick with them through their life after college.

Travis Roper Staff Writer

For Lindsey McKibben, horses are her passion. Riding and owning horses is not just a sport or hobby to me. Its simply a way of life. Its caring, understanding, and passion for these animals who lend us their grace, strength, and beauty, says McKibben. McKibben is a senior member as well as the hunt team captain of the Tiffin University equestrian team. She has been riding competitively for 10 years starting at the age of twelve, and shows her own horse ironically named Pony. Pony got his name because his older brother was pony height and

We are a brotherhood based on camaraderie. We as a fraternity push to help the community and aids awareness among the school. Some of our events we have coming up this month is our charity dodgeball tournament this Saturday on the 2nd, where all proceeds go to local shelters and food banks in tiffin. After spring break we will be havering our annual Rho dinners. There are also many more events in the coming months and the brothers of the Omega Psi Rho hope to see everyone there! -- Chace Bass, President

Omega Psi Rho

A Word From Some Greeks

tion. McKibben is in charge of certain responsibilities at shows, like reciting the team prayer and assigning video recording duties to teammates. Her last major duty as team captain is to serve on Tiffin Universitys Student Athletic Advisory Committee. McKibben Photo credit Lindsey McKibben shares her duties as captain with Misha Lindsey and one of the horses she works with. graduate school to further Phillips, who is the my education. I am decidteams Western captain. Shes very responsible, ing between getting a masand our team wouldnt be ter of counseling or a master able to function without of social work degree. The team practices are her, says Rachael Hudson, a junior team member, held out at Lane of Dreams Farm, LLC. The farm has about McKibben. With all her duties as cap- over 20 horses that the team tain alone, it is a natural practices on, four days a question to ask if it is dif- week. Each team member ficult being both a student rides a different horse evand an athlete. It definitely ery practice, because at the poses a challenge versus competitions every rider just going to class. It re- rides a random horse. Ridally tests time management ers are expected to be able skills, but it is a challenge I to demonstrate control and do so with correct style on enjoy, she said. Juggling multiple duties and a horse they have never ridmanaging her time will help den. The teams head coach McKibben stay focused as is Julie Vogel and the assisshe plans to attend graduate tant coaches are Claire Joschool. I plan on going to hansen and Ali Dittman.

Alpha Iota

Alpha Iota sorority is an organization that values friendship, loyalty, compassion, and charity. We are dedicated to encouraging our members and our campus to be leaders. We enjoy giving back to the community, and many of our events focus on service oriented projects. Some of our upcoming events include the blood drive and the Alpha Affair, a dinner to bring awareness to Autism. Both of the events will be taking place in April. -- Taylor Pirece, President