Greek Life has been a newsworthy topic in recent years, for better or for worse. Deaths and injuries resulting from fraternity hazing happen constantly, rightfully garnering media attention. After southern sorority life went viral on TikTok last year, people all over the world expressed interest and curiosity in the functioning of the sorority system, also known as Panhellenic. Greek Life content has been so successful that later this month HBO Max is set to release a documentary entitled Bama Rush, referencing the sorority recruitment process at the University of Alabama. In all, Greek Life is portrayed in media as cutthroat and elitist. This is not untrue, but it is not the case at every university. My purpose with this project is to shed light on the more mundane and quaint aspects of Greek Life, even at a school as rowdy as the University of Maryland.
In the sorority of which I am a member, Delta Phi Epsilon, the bonds between sisters are palpable in every moment. The images below testify to a variety of themes: the university's placed importance on Greek Life, relationships between multiple Greek organizations and, most importantly, sisterhood.
Members of Delta Phi Epsilon (DPhiE) show their sorority pride by painting tote bags at a joint sisterhood event with Kappa Delta (KD) members on May 3, 2023.
Freshman and new DPhiE member Ellie Reiter connects with her inner child by finger painting on a tote bag, surrounded by sisters on May 3, 2023.
Reiter laughs and crafts at the tote bag event on May 3, 2023.
The big-little tradition is a fervent one in any Greek organization. Each new sorority member is paired with an older member who acts as a mentor and friend. DPhiE sisters took hours to meticulously design and decorate craft gifts for their littles, pictured here on March 12, 2023.
DPhiE members Daniella Piselli, Chaviva Nichols and Tara Musialowicz are all members of the same "family," meaning they are connected by predetermined big-little relationships. The three paint and chat on May 3, 2023.
Sophomore DPhiE member Caity Price touches up a canvas for her little using a paint pen on March 12, 2023.
DPhiE and KD sisters socialize and paint on May 3, 2023, cementing a new cross-chapter relationship.
New members of DPhiE Erin Gray and Nora Kersten explore their newfound friendship at the tote bag painting sisterhood event on May 3, 2023.
Members of the sorority Alpha Epsilon Phi walk on Fraternity Row in front of the house of Gamma Phi Beta sorority on Apr. 20, 2023. The field holds 14 houses and is known as the center of the Greek community.
Delta Phi Epsilon members Amit Zaga and Kiera Green share a laugh at house dinner on March 12, 2023. The university contracts with catering company Gill Grilling, equipping every university-owned Greek house with a chef.
The Sigma Chi fraternity house, captured through one of Fraternity Row's soccer goals on Apr. 20, 2023. Club sports teams from soccer to rugby have the ability to rent the field space for games.
A student walks through the Graham Cracker, a block of sorority houses located in downtown College Park on Apr. 24, 2023. In front of her is a blue-light post, intended for students to contact authorities in case of emergency.
The house of sorority Alpha Omicron Pi sits right outside a university shuttle stop, emphasizing the integral role played by Greek Life in university culture. Captured on Apr. 23, 2023.
DPhiE members Jane Goldsmith, Rebecca Bernstein and Kiera Green enjoy the sun and a bubble gun on Apr. 18, 2023.
Bernstein and Green share a bubble-induced laugh at the DPhiE house on Apr. 18, 2023.
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