The Heart of UC’s Greek Week Is at the Heart of Greek Week’s President
Kyle Franz is pursuing a teaching career because he wants to help children. His leadership in UC’s Greek Week also has the needs of children at heart.
Kyle Franz, a 21-year-old University of Cincinnati double major in middle childhood education and history, shares a common bond with such national figures as- Author Theodor “Dr. Seuss” Geisel (but they’ve never shared green eggs and ham)
- Former Cincinnati Reds first baseman Sean Casey
- Wendy’s Restaurant founder Dave Thomas
- Actors John Goodman and Carroll O’Connor
| Kyle Franz |
They are all listed as members of Sigma Phi Epsilon (Sig Ep), a national social fraternity that currently calls itself the largest national fraternity in terms of undergraduate enrollment. UC’s Sig Ep chapter reports around 90 members.
Franz, who’s an Oak Hills High School graduate from Bridgetown, joined the fraternity during the first quarter of his freshman year at UC. He also serves as rush chair of his fraternity as well as on InterGreek Council for UC’s Interfraternity Council (IFC) the governing body of UC’s Greek fraternities.
He is also serving as president of the executive board of UC’s Greek Week April 12-17, as UC’s 11 sororities and 23 fraternities aim to raise $40,000 to support the wishes of five children sponsored by the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Franz says the true purpose of the week of service activities is what drew him into this leadership role during Greek Week. While Greek Week is a campus tradition every spring, UC’s Greek organizations have worked throughout the year to achieve their fundraising goals for Make-A-Wish.
Franz says it was his commitment to helping children that led to such key involvement in Greek Week, as well as his future career in teaching middle school. “It’s been a great experience, being able to help children. With Make-A-Wish, these children have battled very unfortunate situations, and this is one way to help out.”
Competitions will reflect the theme of UC Greek Week 2010, which is paying homage to superheroes.
“Philanthropy and community service – if you look at the values of any of the Greek organizations, those two commitments are at the center of their traditions and rituals,” says Franz. “The entire campus is invited to watch the events during Greek Week. The Step Show traditionally has been our most attended event. It even brings parents to campus to see their children perform.”
Franz adds that UC is also welcoming its newest sorority to take part in Greek Week – Pi Beta Phi.
The Greek Week 2010 Step Show is scheduled for 7-10 p.m., Tuesday, April 13, in Zimmer Auditorium. It’s expected to draw hundreds of people. Franz says new UC Head Football Coach Butch Jones is scheduled to be on the judge’s panel of the belly-flop competition, which takes place from noon-1 p.m., Friday, April 16, in the Campus Recreation Center.
UC Greek Week Executive Board
- Kyle Franz, Bridgetown, Ohio, member of Sigma Phi Epsilon – Greek Week President
- Holly Barth, Sandusky, Ohio, member of Chi Omega – Greek Week Vice President, External Affairs
- Britteny Kimbro, Loraine, Ohio, member of Zeta Phi Beta – Greek Week Vice President, Internal Affairs
- Savannah Bell, Toledo, Ohio, member of Chi Omega – Greek Week Treasurer
- Emily Vehr, White Oak, Ohio, member of Kappa Alpha Theta – Greek Week Public Relations
- Alan Haggerty, Centerville, Ohio, member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon – Greek Week Secretary
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