As another year comes to an end, we gear up to celebrate the accomplishments of the class of 2024. This marks a huge milestone for the graduates, their families, and the campus community as a whole. This year’s commencement celebrates not only academic achievement but also the impact that Greek life has had on the individuals involved in the community. 

With a diverse array of sororities and fraternities, Greek life at Sonoma State has provided a platform for leadership, community engagement, and social connections. “As the former president of Alpha Xi Delta, my main takeaway from holding a leadership position is learning how to be organized with my time and have good communication skills,” said fourth-year psychology major, Kaila Vasconez.

Along with the many life skills learned from Greek life, we can’t forget about the many memories made over the years. Every year our sororities and fraternities host a variety of philanthropy events that raise money for all sorts of different organizations. “My favorite time of the year is always our philanthropy event War of the Roses because everyone comes together to compete and raise money for the Ability Experience, which aims to raise money for people with disabilities,” said a fourth-year Pi Kappa Phi member, Nick Loudermilk.

Being affiliated holds much more than the stereotypical partying and social gatherings, but connections and job opportunities.“The connections that I have made allowed many doors to open. After college I will be traveling and pursuing the sales industry as a life and health agent,” said a fourth-year Phi Delta Theta member, Reid Zolldan. 

Although graduation is a great achievement, many aspects of college life will be missed by Greek life graduates. Speaking for myself, a couple of things that I am going to miss the most are the spontaneous gatherings, late-night conversations with my roommates, and always being surrounded by close friends. In my four years at the university, there was never a dull moment in my fraternity, and countless memories that I will cherish for years to come. Being surrounded by others who share similar interests, goals, and values creates a unique environment that is difficult to replicate outside of the university setting. The camaraderie and collective spirit of being part of a close-knit group became a significant part of my daily life and it is something that I will never forget. 

One of the most impactful experiences in Greek life is the new member process to finally initiate. The process varies for different organizations but one thing that they all share is the brother and sisterhoods formed during. “The pledging process for me was one of the best experiences of my life, I created bonds that will last a lifetime and found a group of brothers that will always have my back,” said fourth-year Pi Kappa Phi member, Dominic Salerno.

 Though the graduating class will miss what they are leaving behind, they are ready to embrace the future with confidence. Here’s to new beginnings and a lifetime of success!