Last school year, campus Fraternity and Sorority Programs embodied one of Mercer’s core values, service, by collectively raising over $126,000 for philanthropy, according to the 2024-2025 membership report.
About one in five Mercer undergraduates is involved in a fraternity and sorority program across three different councils, comprising 16 unique chapters. Each chapter supports a philanthropic cause ranging from national foundations to local charities in the Macon community, according to the FSP brochure.
“Philanthropy is such a beautiful and important part of the fraternity and sorority community,” Meredith Keating White, executive director of campus life and student involvement, said. “It really shows the heart of the different organizations.”
Some of the events chapters planned and hosted last year included bake sales, sports tournaments, talent shows and camp-outs, all of which raised support and funds for the Greek organizations’ individual causes.
“It was really fun to see the creativity of the organizations,” Keating White said. “It’s a wonderful mixture of annual things that we know to expect and other things they just came up with for the year.”
Among the most notable philanthropy events on campus is Alpha Tau Omega’s Camp for a Cause: a three-day competition during which various student organizations and sports teams camp out on Cruz Plaza and compete in games to raise money for their philanthropies. Last April alone, Camp for a Cause raised $27,391, according to ATO’s Philanthropy Chairman Sam Hollifield ‘27.
Throughout last school year, ATO raised $43,376, the most of any Mercer Greek organization according to last year's membership report. Like many other Greek organizations, ATO uses that money to support organizations that are near to their mission as a fraternity and chapter.
“We use our philanthropy to honor our brother, Mason Sells, who tragically passed away last year,” due to sudden cardiac arrest, Hollifield said.
Next to ATO, Phi Mu raised the second-largest amount of philanthropic funds last school year, with $25,000. Phi Mu hosted five fundraising events for their philanthropy, Children's Miracle Network Hospital, said Abi Surratt ‘26, the chapter’s philanthropy chairwoman.
“Supporting Children's Miracle Network Hospital means a lot to me because of the heavy impact that health issues and long hospital stays can have on families,” Surratt said, adding that she enjoys visiting the local children's hospital to do crafts with the kids and to see her chapter’s impact in real time.
Alpha Gamma Delta’s Vice President of Philanthropy Kunj Patel ‘27 said that for her, philanthropy is about the positive impact on people.
“I love being able to see the difference that we make in people’s lives firsthand,” Patel said. Alpha Gam focuses on fighting hunger by volunteering and fundraising for local food banks and food insecurity organizations. Patel said that supporting this cause reminds her “even the smallest acts of kindness can have a big impact.”
Alpha Delta Pi’s Director of Philanthropy, Emily Wolfe ‘26, echoed that sentiment, saying she appreciates the opportunity to work directly with families in the community. At Macon’s Ronald McDonald House, Wolfe directs ADPi’s efforts to help “families during times of great stress,” by cooking, cleaning and hosting game nights.
Through direct contact with families and people in need, “You really get to see the fruits of your labor,” said Will Brown ‘26, president of Beta Upsilon Chi. His chapter also directly supports the Rescue Mission of Middle Georgia.
While some chapters support specific organizations, both local and national, others seek to advocate for a certain cause. Sigma Sigma Rho Sorority Inc. spreads awareness about domestic violence, said President Kairilynn Co Yi ‘28.
“Our philanthropy aims to give a voice to the voiceless,” Co Yi said. “We speak out on behalf of those who do not feel safe enough to speak out on their own.” Sig Sig Rho hosts informational events and collaborates with local organizations like Crisis Line and Safe House of Central America, according to Co Yi.
Despite last year’s success, Mercer’s Greek community says it is not slowing down. Multiple chapters told The Cluster they are aiming to surpass their previously fundraised totals.
“We are hoping to raise $1,000 this semester and then double that in the spring,” Brown said. “We have a team right now planning a golf tournament, which was a huge success two years ago.”
There have already been numerous philanthropic events this school year, including Chi Omega’s Wish Week and Phi Kappa’s War of Roses. This month, Sig Sig Rho will host Sigma for Society Week, the ever-popular Bonnamu will be hosted by Phi Mu, and ADPi will host a haunted house jointly with ATO.
“I am very excited for this,” Wolfe said about ADPi’s haunted house collaboration with ATO. “I am hoping to get involvement from everyone on campus.”
Clara Kurczak '29 is majoring in journalism at Mercer University. She loves capturing moments and bringing stories to life with her camera and pen. When she is not working on articles, Clara enjoys listening to music, spending time with the people she cares about and reading anything she can get her hands on.
