Greek Life at Hope is getting an early start on service through participation in a five-kilometer community run scheduled on behalf of the Rotary International Youth Exchange this coming Saturday, Sept. 5, the first weekend of the new school year.
Numerous members of the college's fraternities and sororities will be among the participants in the Mercantile Bank, Baird & Holland Rotary Benefit 5k Run/Walk. The community-wide race begins at 8:30 a.m. at Smallenburg Park adjacent to Holland Municipal Stadium.
The Rotary International Youth Exchange provides students the opportunity to spend up to a year studying abroad in a foreign country. The proceeds from the benefit run/walk will be used to support costs associated with hosting guest students in Holland.
Hope has 14 fraternities and sororities, 12 local and two chapters of national organizations. About 400 of the college's 3,200 students are members, a figure that will climb to about 550 after spring new member activation.
The fraternities and sororities are involved in service projects throughout the year, including projects of their own; a variety of opportunities organized by community organizations and other campus groups; and college-wide activities like the annual Dance Marathon and Relay for Life.