Student leaders and advisors are working collaboratively to revitalize Black Greek life on campus, not just through ceremonies and symbols, but through tangible acts of leadership, academic support and community engagement. By holding new member presentations—many for the first time in years—signals not just a return, but a reinvestment in scholarship, service and cultural representation on campus.

On Sunday, March 23, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. held a reactivation ceremony for the GVSU Chi Xi Chapter, designating the sorority’s return to the University after a period of inactivity. Two days later, on Tuesday, March 25, the Chi Xi Chapter introduced itself to the campus community with a new member presentation. The event welcomed four recently initiated members who now represent the revitalized chapter.

The resurgence of NPHC organizations at GVSU has been marked by several fraternities reestablishing their presence. The Pi Zeta Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. announced its return to GVSU with a presentation on March 27. The event aimed to relaunch the fraternity’s legacy of brotherhood, excellence and tradition. Similarly, the Iota Epsilon Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. reintroduced itself to the GVSU community on March 20. The event highlighted the group’s commitment to leadership and service. 

“It’s exciting to see the growing presence of NPHC organizations at GVSU,” said Kamora Johnson, president of the Chi Xi Chapter. 

New member presentations are a long-standing tradition in NPHC organizations. They publicly honor the commitment of new initiates, showcasing their identity within the organization, line names and the positions they hold.

“Each member is given a name that represents their personality and character traits,” McCloud said. “This is a tradition within NPHC organizations that honors the hard work and dedication of new members.”

The “line” structure assigns members positions such as “Ace,” “Deuce,” “Tre” and “Tail,” which often indicate the order in which members crossed and their leadership role or dynamic within the group.

The reactivation of Zeta Phi Beta is part of a broader trend of renewed momentum within the University’s Black Greek-letter community. Founded in 1920 at Howard University, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. was established to champion the highest standards of scholarship and service while fostering sisterhood and integrity.

“Over 105 years ago, our five founders envisioned a sorority that would raise the consciousness of all women, encourage the highest standards of scholastic achievement and foster a commitment to serving others,” said Laila McCloud, the GVSU chapter’s undergraduate advisor. “Zeta Phi Beta has consistently focused on addressing social issues through our international platform.”

According to McCloud, that mission is evident in the chapter’s activities both on and off campus.

“Some of the activities we’ve hosted include Cupcakes and Conversations, study tables and making care packages for residents of Green Acres in Allendale,” McCloud said. “We are also planning a stress-relief activity to provide encouragement to students during finals week and are developing programming for the 2025-2026 academic year.”

As the Chi Xi Chapter looks ahead, recruitment remains a vital part of its plans.

“Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. is looking for women who want to grow as leaders,” McCloud said. “For 105 years, Zeta has been a trailblazing organization filled with women who are leaders on college campuses and in their professions.”

McCloud emphasized the importance of academic commitment and campus engagement for those interested in membership. She stated that prospective members must demonstrate a commitment to their academic goals by having at least a 2.75 GPA, be involved on campus and in the community, value sisterhood and “carry themselves with class and dignity.”

McCloud called attention to the impact of groups having renewed campus presence.

“These organizations have a long-standing legacy of academic excellence, community service and social justice,” stated McCloud.

The event, which featured six of the University’s nine Panhellenic sororities, incorporated dancing, singing and lip-synching, stand-up comedy, magic tricks and more. Each participant flaunted their best runway walk before showing off their talent. Attendees could also buy event-specific T-shirts at the door.

The pageant included Bella Trevino of Alpha Sigma Alpha, who dressed as Adam Sandler and performed stand-up comedy. Brooke McKay of Phi Sigma Sigma performed a dance costumed as Pitbull. Sophie Clemens of Gamma Phi Beta dressed as Charli XCX and performed magic tricks. Dressed as Bruno Mars, Riley Diemert of Alpha Omicron Pi gave a dance routine. Ella Hopson of Phi Mu dressed as Ariana Grande and sang. Ella Soesbe of Alpha Sigma Tau exhibited a speed-painting, and dressed as Tate McRae.

“It (Bruno Mars) was a fun character,” Diemert said. “My specific talent is a dance with a partner. He’s (Diemert’s dance partner) a pledge here, and it was fun.”

While she hadn’t participated in a pageant-like performance since high school, Diemert figured she had nothing to lose when she saw found out about the event in her sorority’s GroupMe. Having known some of the brothers beforehand, and seeing the pageant as a chance to have fun, she signed up.

“(My favorite part of the event was) getting to know all the brothers (and) meeting the girls,” said Diemert. “It’s (the event) all for fun and charity.”

In the end, Soesbe went home with the crown after wowing the audience with her painting. As the winner, she was able to take home 12% of ticket sales to support Alpha Sigma Tau’s philanthropy, Women’s Wellness Initiative.

For the brothers of Phi Kappa Tau, the event’s key focus is on charity, even considering the entertaining show.

“It (the pageant) allows us to donate to our philanthropy, and it allows our guys to do something greater than themselves by all coming together to put on an amazing show,” said Benjamin Nader, the fraternity’s social chair. 

As part of his role, Nader was responsible for establishing participants, as well as coordinating all of the performers’ practices. He also served as one of the three judges who awarded the Miss Phi Tau title.

Jonah Edgerton, the vice president of Alumni Relations for Phi Kappa Tau, stated the event had a big impact on the University’s Greek Life community.

“My favorite part is bringing the community together, and I think it (the pageant) raises money for a really good cause for Serious Fun,” Edgerton said. “We plan on continuing doing this for a couple more years. Everybody loves it.” 

The pageant also serves to strengthen not just the fraternity’s community relations, but also their bond as brothers. 

“Any time you have a big event like this, it brings the brotherhood closer together,” Edgerton said. “Everybody has their own tasks, like I brought the letters today. Getting to hold everyone accountable and working together as a group always brings people together.”

The IFC is a student-led organization that oversees and governs the fraternity community at GVSU. The Vice President of Community Development is a bridge-building role that promotes belonging, both within the IFC and the Fraternity & Sorority Life (FSL) community. There has been speculation that the name change is in relation to current equity and inclusion policies being ushered in nationwide by the Trump administration. However, according to the Associate Director of Student Life Jeremy Paul, that is not the reason for the change.

“Several states have passed laws at the state level that have led to (the) re-framing of diversity, equity and inclusion work, however, the move by the GVSU IFC is not in response to laws in other states,” said Paul.

Dylan Mason, the vice president of Community Development, further emphasized Paul’s point.

“When I was elected as the JEDI chair at the beginning of the Winter 2025 semester, I was honored and excited to be Phi Kappa Tau’s first representative on the IFC Executive Board,” said Mason. “That excitement remains as strong as ever. These changes are designed to better align with the goals and direction of the IFC.”

Mason added that his position has always been about fostering connections in the GVSU community.

“(My role) serves as a bridge between the Interfraternity Community, the broader Fraternity & Sorority Life network and the greater GVSU community to ensure a sense of belonging for all,” stated Mason.

The new title is meant to improve the clarity of the position’s goals and convey expanded responsibilities.

“The title of vice president of Community Development clearly communicates its goals, while also continuing to support the values of justice, equity, diversity and inclusion within the Interfraternity Council,” Paul stated.

Mason described that his role plays a vital part in shaping a positive Greek Life experience at the University by helping members feel supported and connected.

“By further developing this position to align with the structure of other FSL councils, we enhance its (the role’s) long-term effectiveness and impact,” Mason said. “That’s why I am honored to be the one leading this role into its next chapter, embracing its new name and position on the GVSU stage.”

In the future, Paul hopes the changes will provide more direction for the vice president role. He emphasized that he wants more people to feel like they can “find a home” in the University’s FSL community.

 “I’m looking forward to seeing how our fraternities can rise to the occasion of prioritizing belonging and community with the further expansion of the Community Development role,” Paul said.

Paul explained that justice, equity, diversity and inclusion remain a priority of both the IFC and FSL.

“Our Greek Standards and Assessment Program specifically assesses chapter performance in the area of justice, equity, diversity and inclusion, along with seven other categories, and will continue to do so during the 2025 calendar year,” Paul stated. 

Although neither Paul nor Mason have heard student feedback regarding the change, they both welcome comments on how IFC can better support students in these areas. 

Prior to Pi Kappa Phi’s suspension, corrective measures had been implemented due to past misconduct. According to Ben Witt, the director of the Office of Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution, the chapter was already on disciplinary probation when they were suspended.

“Pi Kappa Phi, like all registered student organizations, must uphold the standards put forth in the student code,” Witt said. “Suspension is not something that anyone at GVSU wants to ever see happen to a student organization; but when behavior warrants it, GVSU has a responsibility to hold groups accountable.”

The chapter’s suspension has resulted in the opportunity to reevaluate the values and standards of Greek life. Faculty members, such as Jeremy Paul, the Assistant Director of Student Life for Fraternity and Sorority Life (FSL), feel that reflecting is necessary to rebuild the Greek Life community at GVSU. Paul emphasized prioritizing the wellness of all community members rather than preserving a chapter that has caused some students to feel unsafe.

“In situations like this, our community members are asked to provide emotional support, while also upholding the standards and expectations of what it means to be University affiliated,” said Paul.

Despite these challenges, faculty of fraternity life at GVSU remain optimistic about the creation and expansion of several new fraternities. During the Winter 2024 semester, Zeta Psi Fraternity was recognized by the University as a registered student organization, providing a new option for interested students. GVSU’s Triangle Fraternity has also embraced an opportunity for growth by enacting a plan to expand. The fraternity appeals to students majoring in engineering and architecture, as well as physical, mathematical, biological and computer sciences. In the coming years, the fraternities Sigma Chi and Beta Theta Phi also hope to expand.

“Roughly 5% of the male population at GVSU is affiliated with a fraternity,” Paul said. “The goal of expansion in any capacity is to increase the overall market of experiences, ensuring that all men who are interested in finding a fraternity (can find one that) is in alignment with their values, as well as their personal, academic and professional goals.”

By taking these actions to encourage an awareness of fraternities, Greek organizations intend to foster a more diverse community of responsible and supportive individuals. While it is necessary to recognize and resolve issues that arise, it is also important to celebrate the achievements and positive aspects of Greek life.

“We operate with the hope that our University-affiliated Greek-letter organizations adhere to the standards for a vibrant, safe and healthy fraternity and sorority experience,” said Paul. “By promoting shared values like leadership, service and justice, FSL positively impacts the entire University community.”

Every two years, Sigma Pi Fraternity presents the Grand Council Award to the top twelve chapters within Sigma Pi. This award is won by the chapters that maintain a superior level of operations and involvement on their university campus throughout each biennium. Each chapter that wins this award will also be put in the running and considered for the Grand Sage’s Award. The chapters that show the most effort, involvement, and leadership will earn this award. 

“My most memorable experience in Sigma Pi was this previous year’s charity golf outing,” Sigma Pi President at GVSU Jake McDonald said. “This is an annual golf outing our chapter hosts at Meadows Golf Course where we raise money for the Hero Foundation, a local non-profit that supports families in West Michigan who are struggling with cancer. This is my favorite event every year, but it was particularly special this previous year. With the pandemic, many families have been struggling, and those who are suffering from cancer are struggling even more. We were able to raise $7,000 for the Hero Foundation, which was then able to provide assistance to 10 families with children throughout the holiday season.” 

GVSUs chapter has been awarded the Grand Council Award three times since 2005. Winning this award shows the campus community that Sigma Pi makes it a priority to be involved within the community by participating in charity events, outings and more. 

“This award is a cherry on top of 3.5 incredible years spent with this Chapter,” said Dominic Cassisi, former President of Sigma Pi at GVSU. “I graduated from a small high school that only sent 3 seniors to GV my senior year. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t anxious about where I’d fit in. Luckily, I found my home in this chapter. Every opportunity this chapter presented me, I seized. I hope that winning the Grand Council Award will remind our members of the great things our chapter has accomplished. And as I graduate, leaving my active days as a Sigma Pi behind, I hope this award can inspire younger members to take full advantage of the opportunities we’ve provided ourselves, just as I did.”

Winning this award will continuously remind all of the brothers of all the effort and dedication that they have into their chapter of Sigma Pi. The award makes it known that their efforts and involvement within the community is noticed and commended by Sigma Pi and many others. If any current GVSU students are interested in more information regarding Sigma Pi, they can reach out to them on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram at @sigmapigvsu.

The university’s ATO chapter has held this event for the last eight years, and Jacob Best, who in his fourth years at GVSU and has made the trek twice, said it “shapes the culture” of the fraternity.

Nathan Stuart, a junior who is currently serving as the chapter’s philanthropy chair, said Walk Hard was the reason he decided to join ATO as a freshman.

“I just thought it was so incredible,” Stuart said. “It was just something I saw myself doing and wanted to get invested in.”

The team walks an average of 20 miles a day, experiencing the aches, pains and fatigue folks with MS live with daily.

“It’s a very humbling experience,” Best said.

Although the journey can be extremely challenging at times, the men of ATO said it’s not all horrible. The best part, Best said, is the brotherhood.

“You find yourself talking about almost anything,” Best said. “You’re an open book on the walk, and it’s kind of great to be able to see what’s going on in your brothers’ lives and understand what they’re dealing with.”

Of course, they don’t walk 160 miles just to hang out with their friends.

“The reason why I do it is it’s really about that one person with MS who can live a little bit better because of what we do,” Stuart said.

Over the past eight years, ATO has raised over a quarter of a million dollars to go towards research and lowering prescription costs for patients suffering from the neurological disease. Best and Stuart, who are both working towards degrees in the medical field, have worked first-hand with MS patients who could benefit from their fundraising efforts.

“No disease has any preference over one person or another,” Best said. “So it’s the least we can do to raise a little awareness for an awful disease.”

Best hopes one day to open his own neurological research institute, and said this aspiration probably never would have crossed his mind if not for the work he and the rest of ATO do at GVSU.

The fraternity’s efforts have affected Stuart’s outlook on life as well.

“I want to serve others in some way, and that’s a desire down deep in my heart. This is something that serves that desire,” Stuart said.

Nearly a million people are living with an MS diagnosis in the United States, but Best said that number might be low considering how often the disease is misdiagnosed.

Unlike other neurological diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s that generally affect folks 60 years or older, MS hits early. According to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society’s website, most people with MS are diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50.

There’s currently no cure, but there are ways to limit the pain MS can put a person through. ATO’s efforts have helped make access to that relief more accessible.

“People with MS always say to us how grateful they are to us,” Stuart said. “But really we’re grateful for them. They teach us how to be strong and make the most out of our situations in life.”