Greek life provides a unique experience for students to excel as leaders, make family-like friends, help the community in group efforts and much more. As graduating seniors begin to say goodbye, they reflect on their years being involved, and express their gratitude to their respectable sororities and fraternities and the opportunities they were afforded as members. 

Biology major Varun Padmanaban said he joined Delta Epsilon Psi to “make the most” of his college experience.

“Being part of Greek life is definitely one of the best decisions of my college career here,” he said. “I learned so much about myself and the group of gentlemen that I call my brothers, and also about being a leader, mentor and teacher.”

Padmanaban said being part of the Multicultural Greek Council made it possible to be involved in a community that shares similar ideals and principles to his heritage and culture. “It brought a piece of home here to campus,” he said.

But, he added, as much as he and his brothers are united by culture, they also are an incredibly different group of people. 

“Being able to work together and utilize all of our strengths to work for something bigger than ourselves is something that I know will help me after college,” said Padmanaban, whose time at Drexel is not quite over—he plans to pursue a degree through the College of Medicine next year.

Nicholas Coleman, a senior electrical engineering major, expressed similar sentiments about his Greek experience and is confident his involvement will help him succeed after college. 

Coleman, who has been part of Phi Kappa Psi since June 2009, said nine months after being initiated he was elected chapter president—making him the youngest fraternity president on Drexel’s campus and in his chapter’s history, he said.

“Serving as president was a great learning experience for me; it taught me how to manage a diverse group of people, how to budget and plan and how to interact with national fraternity and university faculty,” he said.

Coleman said he was awarded multiple scholarships from his fraternity’s foundation, and he fondly remembers attending Phi Kappa Psi leadership conferences in Indianapolis and Cabo San Lucas.

“As I move forward after graduation, I will continue to use the skills that I acquired as a member of Phi Kappa Psi in my professional and personal lives, and benefit from the large alumni network and continue contributing to my chapter,” Coleman said.

Samantha Wishart, an elementary education major, looks back on her four years in Delta Zeta and cherishes her leadership experience —both inside and outside her chapter. But, most of all, she said, she treasures the friends she’s made.

“I found more than friends through Greek life. I found a family and a support system. There was always someone to study with, to watch a movie with, go out and celebrate an accomplishment, or even console a heartache,” she said. “I know that as a graduating senior I have made lifelong friendships, and some of the women that I am proud to call my sisters will be standing next to me on my wedding day.”