To me this meant that I would always know someone when I walked to classes, or I would always feel welcome on campus. Since being a member of the Georgia Southern University community, I have learned exactly what the definition of a small-feel community truly is.
I have joined an organization that has changed my life in and connected me to Georgia Southern in a way that is indescribable. The Greek system on campus is either known for being the best decision you’ll make in college, or is looked at by many as one of the worst.
Personally, going Greek changed my life for the better. It takes the idea of our close community campus, and makes it feel like a home. Not only does Georgia Southern come together as a college, but our Greek system will always support one another as well.
This past year Georgia Southern has faced many trials that have changed our campus environment. However, as these events unfold, our campus community always comes together. We support one another. Granted there are few who try to tear our community apart, (most of whom who feed off of Yik-Yak), but as a whole our community always seems to get through these tragedies as a university.
As our community seems to fall, we lift each other up with mutual support. The Greek community is a support system like no other. Last year I witnessed this when a Pi Kappa Phi brother passed. It is hard to explain how close a Fraternity or Sorority is until you are a part of one.
Last year I could have never imagined how Pi Kapp could handle the loss of a brother because of that. When word got around, everyone gathered at the Pi Kapp house for their Vigil Candlelight ceremony, as we filled the yard and Greek row with support. At the time, I felt as if this tragedy brought a light to our University. For the first time I saw just how strong we are together.
After that passing last year, our campus grieved over the loss. But we seemed to do so together. As this school year started out, our campus hit a rough patch. We had yet another eagle pass, this time with a horrifying tragedy at our bars. As the rumors and raids have tried to tear our community apart, we've stood together. I went to the ceremony that campus held a few weeks ago, with a sister of my sorority who knew him personally, and as his friends remembered him, we grieved yet again.
Right after the loss of our fallen eagle this year at the bars, my sorority of Kappa Kappa Gamma received some unexpected news that tore through our hearts. A group of friends and I were on our way to the Georgia Tech game to support our Eagles, when we received the news that our beloved sister, Brooke Edwards, had passed.
Stunned and shocked at a gas station on our way, with about 10 women from my chapter, we stood there to take a moment to try to process the tragedy. We were left with no explanation, no details, and no way to imagine what exactly was going on. We felt as if we were living in the moment of our dreams (more-so a nightmare). The ride to Atlanta was silent. There were no words to say.
As we returned to campus that Sunday, the atmosphere on campus seemed so different. Perhaps it was because my sorority as a whole, with myself included, seemed to be in a foggy phase. I remember just confessing my appreciation to all of my friends because for the first time in my life, I realized that our time here goes by too soon and we often leave this life unexpectedly.
That Monday night our chapter held our Vigil Candlelight Ceremony in honor of Brooke. All day in preparation I felt that I finally understood what the Pi Kapps were going through last semester. This was hands-down the hardest thing we have had to go through as a chapter. Non-stop tears, pain, and emptiness filled our souls.
As our chapter walked outside in the foggy mental state we were all in, singing ritual songs as we stepped on our front porch, I remember seeing the support system from our campus community. I broke down in sudden tears. The loss was painful enough, but the tears came from because I knew it would be okay. We had over 500 people from our Georgia Southern community, including staff, friends, students, and an incredible amount of our Greek System step up to support not only our chapter in our time of loss, but to also support Brooke.
We are a community that comes together, and granted it is seen most often in our times of sorrow, we can also see it on another level during football games, or homecoming. I am proud of our campus because of this. I didn't know what the college meant when it pushed this idea of a “small feel” community in its admission videos. But as a part of the eagle community, I now understand.
That small feel community definition does not only mean that you’ll always know someone wherever you go, or that you will feel welcomed to our campus. It means that once you’re here, we will full-heartedly respect you and be there for each and every fellow Eagle, through the good and the bad. And at Georgia Southern University, we take pride in that. Hail Southern, and Go Eagles!
