Greek Village marks new era in Greek life at Mercer
By Lance Wallace
Mercer University laid a new foundation for a lasting tradition when members of fraternities and sororities gathered on Sept. 29 for the reverent Greek Convocation and the festive Street Celebration. The occasion, which featured a blessing of fraternity and sorority houses as well as on-campus apartments, ushered in a new era for Greeks at Mercer. Students joining Greek letter organizations now have beautiful and state-of-the-art surroundings and a renewed emphasis on the ideals each group claims in its creeds and bylaws.
"The convocation proved to be an outstanding opening ceremony for a new era in Greek life at Mercer," said Russ Henry, assistant director of the Center for Student Involvement and Leadership and advisor to the Interfraternity Council. "We hope this will usher in increased participation in Greek organizations and a renewed commitment to the principles of service and academics that these organizations were founded upon."
The keynote speaker at the Greek Convocation was Mercer Trustee David Hudson, CLA '68, and an attorney with the Augusta firm of Hull, Towill, Norman, Barrett & Salley. Hudson reminisced about his days in the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity at Mercer and issued a call to action, challenging Greeks to forsake foolish behavior and look closely at the ideals upon which their organizations were founded.
Greek organizations trace their roots at Mercer back to the Franklin Literary Society on the Penfield campus, the year the University was founded in 1833. The Franklin society dissolved in 1834 and formed two groups, the Ciceronian and Phi Delta societies.
Shortly after Mercer moved from Penfield to Macon in 1870, Sigma Alpha Epsilon was founded. At that time, fraternities were given chapter rooms in the administration building.
As the University grew, the groups were given dormitory space. In the 1940s, Greek organizations began moving into lodges, which were recently demolished to make way for construction of the University Center.
"Today is the culmination of that history," University President Kirby Godsey said. "Today, we will officially bless permanent houses on Mercer's campus for use by our Greek organizations."
About 150 students moved in to the 18 fraternity and sorority houses in the Greek Village and more than 220 moved into new on-campus apartments on Aug. 19.
In addition to the Convocation, each of the 10 fraternities and eight sororities at Mercer participated in the blessing, pronounced by Dr. Rick Wilson, Dean of the Chapel and Columbus Roberts Professor of Christianity, and performed their chapter cheer after receiving a ceremonial key to each from President Godsey.
The blessing and key presentation was followed by a barbecue dinner and live music from "The Grapevine."
"It was truly one of Mercer's best days," President Godsey said. "To have students and alumni showing their spirit and enjoying the beautiful surroundings, good food and good music, that is what campus life is all about."