Junior Jake Ramsbottom never thought he would build a 10-foot tall snowman - it's just another experience he's had in Delta Tau Delta fraternity.
It was a snowy day in January and with classes canceled, there seemed nothing better to do than troop out into the snow.
"Of all the experiences in college, one can sum up my entire fraternity career," the biological sciences major said.
His story begins on a late snowy night. School had already been canceled for the following day, and "all of Delt was going crazy with excitement."
"We all got dressed in our snow gear and ran out the front door," he said. "What started out as a snowball fight turned into us building a snowman 10 feet tall. It required about 15 of us to lift it up."
While building snowman is not a requirement - or a normal occurrence - for fraternities, it is one of many moments Ramsbottom knows he'll always remember.
It is also demonstrates an alive and active greek system on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln campus.
With 27 fraternities, 14 sororities and 13 multicultural greek organizations to choose from, students have the opportunity to find a perfect match - a house that will suit their specific needs the most.
"There are a lot of houses on campus and they are all very diverse and different," sorority recruitment guide Karen Philabaun said. "Everyone is bound to find their own little niche in each house."
Generally, the main focus of greek organizations is scholarship. Campus-wide, men earned an average 3.002 GPA, while the all-fraternity GPA was 3.194.
Ramsbottom said being in a fraternity keeps him in check academically and provides a solid base for balancing his studies, social life and other commitments.
"So far, I would say I've learned how to prioritize my life," Ramsbottom said. "I feel that college is about time management and with a fraternity, they are there to help you stay accountable and make sure you're meeting all your goals."
But being in a fraternity or sorority house isn't only about studying.
Most houses hold two annual formals - one in the fall and one in the spring - as a chance to meet other people. There are also "froshes," an opportunity for freshmen to get together on Friday afternoons and participate in an activity with three other fraternities or sororities.
"Theme parties are the best because they let you be silly," Philabaun said. "They allow people to get away with things that normally only 5-year olds can get away with like dressing up and looking ridiculous."
But one of the most rewarding experiences for many sorority and fraternity members are philanthropic events. In an effort to give back to the community, all organizations hold at least one fundraiser to raise money for specific organizations.
Through chicken nugget feeds and golf outings, among other events, sororities and fraternities raise money for organizations like the American Red Cross and Cardiac Aid.
"It just great seeing a ton of people come together for a good cause," Philabaun said. "It really unites greek life. Every house supports each other and in turn supports the community."
Overall, the greek system provides a chance for college students to get involved on and off campus. It provides a structure for academics and a home base for friendship.
"It's easy for organizations such as fraternities and sororities to be subject to stereotypes, but all greeks strive to lead by example in order to counteract those opinions," Ramsbottom said. "I guess fraternities try to dismiss those opinions by showing how we work hard in school, are strongly involved on campus and are personable guys."
