For four years, they have tugged, they have sang and they have helped bring Greek Week to life. Now Greek life seniors will experience their last Greek Week.

Jodi Matheny, a senior family and consumer science major, has participated in Greek Week for four years and said her last Greek Week is bittersweet.

“It is sad to know that I won’t participate in Greek Week again but, at the same time, it is exciting to know that newer members are participating and I can help show them the ropes,” Matheny said

Matheny has been a member of the Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority since her freshman year and said she participated in Airband for three years and Greek Sing for two years.

“I think I am going to miss the atmosphere of Greek Week the most,” Matheny said. “When it comes each year it is just so amazing to watch everyone put so much effort into it.”

Matheny said she has also participated in the letter-writing campaign and the Unity events like Unity Bingo.

Ed Hotwagner, a senior mathematics major, said senior Greek members usually have a strong part to play in Greek Week.

Hotwagner has participated in Greek Week events such as Tugs, Greek Sing and the Jefferson Fun Day for Sigma Phi Epsilon.

“Seniors take Greek Week a lot more seriously than others and, since it is their last Greek Week, they usually take it to heart,” Hotwagner said.

Hotwagner also said the senior Greek members are usually given leadership positions for Greek Week such as committee heads and members of executive boards.

Laura Newman, a senior business management major, is the president of the Panhellenic Council and has participated in Greek Week for four years for Kappa Delta.

Newman has participated in Greek Sing for two years, and has been a part of the Greek Week Steering Committee for two years.

“I have greatly enjoyed being part of Greek Week by spending my first two years participating in the events and spending the last two years helping to put it together,” Newman said. “I not only got to grow closer to my own chapter but it has also been a good way to branch out of my chapter and meet new people.”

Matheny said she feels differently about Greek Week this year compared to her freshman year.

“When I was a freshman I felt very overwhelmed since I was practicing for Airband and Greek Sing and it was difficult to juggle all of the meetings and practices with everything else,” Matheny said. “However, as a senior, I have come to appreciate Greek Week a lot more and I have realized working this hard really is worth it.”

Newman said she is going to miss seeing how her chapter evolves and comes together for each event.

“Greek Week is a great opportunity that opens many doors you didn’t think were possible,” Newman said. “Each chapter has its own projects and I always enjoyed helping out the community and making a difference.”

Newman said she will miss it when the points have been tallied and the events are over.

“I really like seeing so many excited faces and that everyone is so proud of their chapters,” Newman said.

Rachel Rodgers can be reached at 581-2812 or rjrogers@eiu.edu.