Student Profiles

Damara Simpson

Year in School: Sophomore        

Major: Political Science, Central and Southwest Asian Studies

Involvement in other student groups: ASUM Senate, Mount of Olives, Panhellenic Council, Davidson Honors College

How has being an active Greek member benefitted you personally? Professionally?

Being Greek has greatly improved my interpersonal skills, especially in areas of communication. It has increased my self confidence in interacting with many different people and groups. It has afforded me the opportunity to meet many outstanding individuals who challenge me to be the best I can be. The areas that the Greek system has helped me hone my skills in the most are event planning, networking, leadership and time management. It has given me the opportunity to learn how to turn my ideas into reality, and all the steps along the way. It allowed me the opportunity to make professional contacts and get plugged into the beat of the campus. It’s opened up channels and gotten me more involved than I ever thought I would be.

What is your favorite part about being Greek?

My favorite part of being Greek is the sense of community. I love the support, friendship and camaraderie that exist among the houses as well as in my own. 

What advice would you give incoming students about Greek Life?

If you want to know about going Greek, go to the source. Each Greek system and house is different and relying on movies or information about others is not going to give you an accurate picture of what it’s like.  

Jeff Edmunds

Year in School: Senior

Major:  Political Science, History

Involvement in other student groups:  Pi Sigma Alpha Epsilon Mu (Political Science Honours Society), Zoo Crew Freestyle Ski and Snowboard team, UM Backcountry Club, Mount of Olives Arabic Language club

How has being an active Greek member benefited you personally? Professionally?

My involvement in Greek life has given me the opportunity to work with younger students to help them develop both life and leadership skills, while allowing me to continue to develop my own. I also enjoy the camaraderie, intellectual stimulation, the scholarship opportunities, and building life long friendships. Greek life has allowed me to further develop real world skills such as meeting/group management, event planning, improved communication skills, mentoring skills, and has expanded my networking abilities. Having Alumni and active members that I can count on and ‘soundboard’ ideas and plans with has been fantastic. I know I have the support behind me at all times to tackle anything, and to continue to advocate and serve the students of the University of Montana as their student Vice-President. 

What is your favorite part about being Greek?

The broadening of friendship with individuals I would likely have never met, and being able to work with so many creative and motivated individuals on an array of things. 

What advice would you give incoming students about Greek Life?

Go Greek. The leadership and life skills alone are worth it, not to mention the networking and life long friendships! 

Anything else you want to share?

Never doubt that you can make a difference. Always look at the positive. Count on your peers, and let them be able to count on you. If you work hard and play hard, you will have an unbeatable college experience. 

Kate Akin

Year in School: Junior

Major: Exercise Science and Pre-Med

Involvement in other student groups: I am also involved in Forestry Club, Woodsman's Team and I work for the university refereeing Intramural sports

How has being an active Greek member benefitted you personally? Professionally?  

Being Greek has benefited me in several aspects of my life. The first and most important is that I have improved my relationships in a healthy manner. I have done this through interactions with my advisers, Greek life directors, the new groups of people to decide to experience Greek life and the people that I have bonded with while being in the Greek system. The second is through a professional perspective. Taking the responsibility of holding an office has taught me better communication and public speaking skills. While holding a position I also learned time management, value of relationships and enjoying responsibility.

What is your favorite part about being Greek?

My favorite part about being Greek is that I share the same values as the others in the Greek system and that i can lean on anyone of them because they understand the love and kinship that comes with being Greek.

What advice would you give incoming students about Greek Life?

My best advice is that you should try. There is no harm in trying something, if it doesn't work then at least you know that it isn't for you. Part of college is having an open mind while maintaining your values and the Greek system lets you do that.

Anything else you want to share?

Last thing is thanks for taking the time to read this!