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34

August 30 • 2018

jn

Stronger Than Ever

Sigma Alpha Mu fraternity is growing at MSU.

Rob Streit } Special to the Jewish News

G

and Chabad on campuses.
reek organizations on col-
While many of the chapter’s
lege campuses often conjure
founders are Jewish, Mandell
images of raucous parties,
says the Sammys at MSU try to
hazing rituals and binge drinking.
recruit all kinds of students.
Just about everyone has a precon-
“We welcome a diverse group
ceived notion when it comes to fra-
of people who all respect
ternities and sororities.
the Jewish roots and tradi-
The Michigan State
tions of our organization,”
University chapter of the
Mandell says.
Sigma Alpha Mu frater-
Lawrence Levy,
nity is working to change
Maverick’s father, hosted a
those perceptions. The
meet-and-greet for Sigma
Sammys, as they are
Alpha Mu this summer to
called, have seen some-
give Sammys of all ages a
thing of a resurgence on
campus in recent years.
Sebastian Mandell chance to come together.
“The diversity is really
“It has been amaz-
getting out there, at least
ing seeing us grow so
in the local chapter at
quickly,” says frater-
MSU and it’s really been
nity president Sebastian
great,” the senior Levy
Mandell. “I’ve seen the
says.
fraternity nearly double in
A Detroit Country Day
size since I joined, and I
school graduate, Levy
don’t see it slowing down
was a Sigma Alpha Mu
anytime soon.”
Maverick Levy
pledge in Fall 1988 at
Mandell joined the fra-
ternity in the fall semester
MSU. He also sits on the
Jewish Studies Advisory
of 2016 and counts him-
Board at the university,
self among the 45 mem-
which promotes the study
bers at MSU.
and awareness of Jewish
“We’re hoping that this
life. Thirty years later, his
year is going to be our
son carries on the tradi-
biggest year. We’ve been
tion.
talking to kids and getting
“When my son rushed
them to join the frater-
Lawrence Levy
Sammys, I was proud of
nity,” says Maverick Levy,
him — that he was con-
the frat’s alumni chair.
tinuing on in the Greek
Levy and Mandell credit
the increased numbers to the fra- life,” Levy says.
Sigma Alpha Mu’s philanthropic
ternity pushing back against the
work is also helping to change
stereotypical perception people
perceptions about fraternities
have of Greek organizations.
“In the news recently, you see
and is a draw for prospective
a lot of negative things about fra- members.
“As a chapter, we do a lot
ternities and things they’re doing
around our community,” Mandell
wrong,” Levy says. “We’re really
says. “We have a brother that
trying to change that image.”
is diagnosed with neurofibro-
Mandell adds, “Our role is
matosis, and we have had an
to help create a positive view
event the past two years to raise
of Greek life on our campus,
money to support the Children’s
and also help raise money and
Tumor Fund and its goal to
awareness for special causes to
advance research and medical
help our community.”
care.”
Sigma Alpha Mu was tradition-
The Sammys’ core values act
ally a Jewish fraternity. Since
as a lodestar in their push to
its founding in 1909 at the City
change how frats are perceived.
College of New York, the
“We’re trying to spin the image
organization promoted Jewish
that fraternities are bad things,”
ideals in its members. The fra-
Maverick Levy says. “It’s more
ternity began accepting men
about being close, being broth-
regardless of faith in 1953, but
still promotes Jewish recruitment. erly and being friendly.” @
Chapters often partner with Hillel