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òòò½Ö±²¥'s Oral History Project: Greek Life

òòò½Ö±²¥ has a rich heritage of Greek life. Sorority and fraternity members are involved in the University’s events, programs, and student organizations. Our sorority and fraternity members also contribute many volunteer hours to make òòò½Ö±²¥ and the city of Springfield a better place, building upon a strong tradition of leadership, success, and pride. Several of our alumni have fond memories of their days as a member of a sorority or fraternity at òòò½Ö±²¥. Here are a few of their stories.

Carolyn HickmanCarolyn Hessong Hickman ’57

My experience at òòò½Ö±²¥ was amazing. I chose it because I visited it once and fell in love with it. My pastor at church also recommended it. I was the second in my family to attend college. When I first stepped on campus, I felt wonderful.

I was in the Alpha Xi Delta sorority and co-editor of the yearbook during my senior year. I also met my husband, Tom, there, who was a member of the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity.

We have been married for 64 years now. We still admire òòò½Ö±²¥ and go back for Homecoming and reunions. Being editor of the yearbook was a great experience. I loved every moment at òòò½Ö±²¥ and am grateful for the memories I made there.


Ed EverhartEd Everhart ’60

I joined Beta Theta Pi fraternity during my time at òòò½Ö±²¥, and I'm still in contact with many of the brothers. I held office for four years, and the brothers have become like family to me.

During my time at òòò½Ö±²¥, I grew up and became more knowledgeable in my studies. I was well informed and well taught, which served me well in my master's and doctoral work.

The person I miss most from those years is my beloved wife, whom I met at òòò½Ö±²¥. We had 62 years together, and it was there that my life began as a husband, father, and provider. We met when I was helping freshmen move in, and I was carrying luggage.

My education at òòò½Ö±²¥ taught me about discipline, teamwork, leadership, and the importance of community service.


Rick CrawfordRick Crawford ’86

My experience at òòò½Ö±²¥ was life-changing. From the moment I stepped foot on campus, I knew I had made the right decision. I was inspired by the personal approach to recruitment and òòò½Ö±²¥'s motto, “Having Light We Pass It On To Others.â€

My mother, a college graduate, instilled in me the importance of higher education. I ended up majoring in English literature, and I'm grateful for my counselor who suggested I declare it.

I was part of the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity, which added to my overall college experience. It was a special, comfortable, safe, and friendly environment. I still keep in touch with my roommate from the fraternity.

My professors and advisors had a big impact on me, and I'm thankful for the guidance they provided. I rate my education and experience at òòò½Ö±²¥ a 10 out of 10.

My advice to those interested in getting higher education is to have an open mind and pursue what you love and enjoy. You may be lucky enough to find a career doing something you love and get paid for it. Keep honing your skills and keep getting better at what you think you want to do. When people think of me and the impact I've had, I hope they think of me as someone who humanized learning outcomes assessments and made it part of our culture.


Cara ShebakCara Riggle Shebak ’99

My experience at òòò½Ö±²¥ was amazing. Everyone was always so welcoming and friendly, and there were a variety of opportunities to get involved. I was a cheerleader for football and basketball, and I was in the Gamma Phi Beta sorority. I also worked in the Business Office.

The professors were great and gave their students individualized attention to help them succeed in the classroom. They really cared about the students and made extra time to help them when needed. Through this experience, I grew as an individual. I became more open, and my communication skills improved.

I was also well prepared for my career in education. Through òòò½Ö±²¥'s programs with local school districts, I was able to participate in numerous classroom opportunities, which helped me be a more successful teacher, supervisor, and assistant principal. I learned how to effectively work with students of different grade levels and had the opportunity to have hands-on experiences to learn classroom management techniques.

Throughout my four years at òòò½Ö±²¥, I made lifelong friends and learned how to collaborate with others. òòò½Ö±²¥'s small size allowed me to get to know everyone on campus and feel comfortable in my environment. Overall, it was an amazing experience I will never forget.

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