Mount Union Students Give Back: Fraternity and Sorority Life
April 04, 2022By: Peyton Zamarelli '22
At the University of Mount Union, students have multiple opportunities to give back to the community through education, building relationships, and service. Members of fraternity and sorority life (FSL) at Mount Union believe that their philanthropy experience on campus gives them a connection to their fellow members and the community in an irreplaceable way.
Faith Hoobler ’22 of Hommondville, OH, is a junior intervention specialist and primary education major. On campus, Hoobler is heavily involved as a member of Order of Omega and Kappa Delta Pi, hold the position as a sustainability assistant for Green Raiders, holds multiple leader position for the organization Aspiring Educators, is a thrower on the Mount Union Track and Field Team, and president of the Gamma Theta Chapter of Alpha Delta Pi.
When asked if Hoobler felt her philanthropic involvement in Greek Life was crucial to her student experience, she shared that it gave her a connection to campus she never thought she would have before.
“I wanted to join a community where I could be actively lead in a variety of ways,” shared Hoobler. ”In doing so, I have had new experiences, made unforgettable friendships, and served my community.”
Alpha Delta Pi Gamma Theta Chapter takes part in actively showing their philanthropic spirits through supporting Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC). RMHC’s mission is to ensure children have access to quality health care and that their families are as comfortable as possible while supporting their child.
“As members of Alpha Delta Pi, we are extremely blessed because we get to actively support RMHC specifically in Cleveland in so many direct ways,” stated Hoobler. “We sponsor a room at the RMH in Cleveland where families can stay by hosting philanthropic events to raise money. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, we got to visit the RMH in Cleveland where we would visit with families, help clean the facilities, and provide them a homecooked meal along with a fun craft. On campus, we host philanthropy events to raise money that we then donate to RMHC.”
I have had new experiences, made unforgettable friendships, and served my community.
Experiencing FSL at Mount Union is equally unique and rewarding due to the sense of community and comfortability throughout all of the chapters on campus.
Gabbi Matvey ’23 of Sharon, PA, is a junior biology major with a minor in psychology. On campus, Matvey keeps herself busy through her activism in campus organizations. Matvey works in the student call center, is the director of the UMU dance marathon morale, and President of Delta Sigma Tau, which is a sorority specific to the Mount Union campus.
“Delta Sigma Tau has really shaped me into being a confident leader,” shared Matvey. “I never thought I could be the president of any large organization, but my sisters all had such strong faith in me to lead our chapter so we could act as a service driven organization in the Alliance community.”
Since Delta Sigma Tau is a local organization, its philanthropy, Carnation Restoration, focuses heavily on the campus and surrounding communities. Carnation Restoration’s mission is to find ways to directly benefit the Alliance community. The sisters of Delta Sigma Tau actively support and dedicate the services to local organizations such the Alliance food pantry, Alliance YMCA, the Valentine Project, Stark County Humane Society, and a variety of others in the area.
“We want to help in any way to truly make a difference in the community in which we get to spend our college experiences,” Matvey said.
We want to help in any way to truly make a difference in the community in which we get to spend our college experiences.
The emphasis of philanthropy is not just evident in the sororities on campus, but remains of great importance for the members of fraternity life as well.
Tanner Dixon ’23 of Grandville, OH, is a junior national security foreign intelligence major with minors in German and legal studies. On campus, Dixon holds leadership positions in Model UN, and acts as president of Mount Union's Alpha Tau Omega chapter.
“I joined FSL to find friendships that would last a lifetime, make meaningful connections with other collegians, and take advantage of opportunities to do good for the community,” Dixon said.
Alpha Tau Omega’s philanthropy is Alliance Navigators, an after-school program for kids who are in troubled households, need academic help, or any other helpful resources. Fraternity members actively volunteer their time at Alliance Middle School Monday-Wednesday from 2:30-5 p.m. to be mentors, tutors, and role models for these students. Last fall, the chapter successfully raised nearly $1,500 for the program.
I joined FSL to find friendships that would last a lifetime, make meaningful connections with other collegians, and take advantage of opportunities to do good for the community
Other fraternities at Mount Union have also had the opportunity to share their kindness and service through philanthropy as well. Alexander Glauthier IV ’23 believes that his involvement in FSL as brother and president of Sigma Alpha Epsilon has strengthened his relationship with the campus community immensely.
Glauthier, of Canal Fulton, is a junior majoring in finance with minors in accounting and French. On campus, Glauthier is a member of Order of Omega, Investment Team, Alpha Lambda Delta, sings in the Mount Union Kantorei and Concert Choirs, acts as a Preview and Raider Guide all while remaining dedicated to the Sigma Alpha Epsilon Alpha Eta Chapter.
“I decided to join FSL because I felt like I fit in to the group of guys at SAE, and it felt like I could be myself with them,” shared Glauthier. “I also wanted to be a part of something to be bigger than myself and to leave my mark and give back to the community.”
While Glauthier has had many opportunities to connect with his fellow brothers, he feels it is most rewarding supporting the chapter’s philanthropy, Children’s Miracle Network.
With a mission to increase funds and awareness for local children’s hospitals, the Alpha Eta Chapter of Sigma Alpha Epsilon actively dedicates their time planning events and activities each semester to collect and donate the money while also raising awareness in support of their philanthropy.
“Some of the major reoccurring events SAE puts on each school year is our Volleyball Marathon in the Fall and Paddy Murphy Week in the Spring semester which both go towards our philanthropy,” Glauthier states. “Other students and members of the campus community do a great job in participating and helping raise awareness for a good cause.”
I wanted to be a part of something, to be bigger than myself, and to leave my mark and give back to the community.
Mount Union has endless opportunities for students to involve themselves on campus through professional development, service, and friendship. To learn more about FSL on campus, visit the fraternity and sorority life page.