Wittenberg University has a rich heritage of Greek life. Sorority and fraternity members are involved in the University’s events, programs, and student organizations. Our sorority and fraternity members also contribute many volunteer hours to make Wittenberg and the city of Springfield a better place, building upon a strong tradition of leadership, success, and pride. Several of our alumni have fond memories of their days as a member of a sorority or fraternity at Wittenberg. Here are a few of their stories.
Carolyn Hessong Hickman ’57
My experience at Wittenberg University was amazing. I chose it because I visited it once and fell in love with it. My pastor at church also recommended it. I was the second in my family to attend college. When I first stepped on campus, I felt wonderful.
I was in the Alpha Xi Delta sorority and co-editor of the yearbook during my senior year. I also met my husband, Tom, there, who was a member of the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity.
We have been married for 64 years now. We still admire Wittenberg and go back for Homecoming and reunions. Being editor of the yearbook was a great experience. I loved every moment at Wittenberg and am grateful for the memories I made there.
Ed Everhart ’60
I joined Beta Theta Pi fraternity during my time at Wittenberg University, and I'm still in contact with many of the brothers. I held office for four years, and the brothers have become like family to me.
During my time at Wittenberg, I grew up and became more knowledgeable in my studies. I was well informed and well taught, which served me well in my master's and doctoral work.
The person I miss most from those years is my beloved wife, whom I met at Wittenberg. We had 62 years together, and it was there that my life began as a husband, father, and provider. We met when I was helping freshmen move in, and I was carrying luggage.
My education at Wittenberg taught me about discipline, teamwork, leadership, and the importance of community service.
Rick Crawford ’86
My experience at Wittenberg University was life-changing. From the moment I stepped foot on campus, I knew I had made the right decision. I was inspired by the personal approach to recruitment and Wittenberg's motto, “Having Light We Pass It On To Others.”
My mother, a college graduate, instilled in me the importance of higher education. I ended up majoring in English literature, and I'm grateful for my counselor who suggested I declare it.
I was part of the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity, which added to my overall college experience. It was a special, comfortable, safe, and friendly environment. I still keep in touch with my roommate from the fraternity.
My professors and advisors had a big impact on me, and I'm thankful for the guidance they provided. I rate my education and experience at Wittenberg a 10 out of 10.
My advice to those interested in getting higher education is to have an open mind and pursue what you love and enjoy. You may be lucky enough to find a career doing something you love and get paid for it. Keep honing your skills and keep getting better at what you think you want to do. When people think of me and the impact I've had, I hope they think of me as someone who humanized learning outcomes assessments and made it part of our culture.
Cara Riggle Shebak ’99
My experience at Wittenberg University was amazing. Everyone was always so welcoming and friendly, and there were a variety of opportunities to get involved. I was a cheerleader for football and basketball, and I was in the Gamma Phi Beta sorority. I also worked in the Business Office.
The professors were great and gave their students individualized attention to help them succeed in the classroom. They really cared about the students and made extra time to help them when needed. Through this experience, I grew as an individual. I became more open, and my communication skills improved.
I was also well prepared for my career in education. Through Wittenberg's programs with local school districts, I was able to participate in numerous classroom opportunities, which helped me be a more successful teacher, supervisor, and assistant principal. I learned how to effectively work with students of different grade levels and had the opportunity to have hands-on experiences to learn classroom management techniques.
Throughout my four years at Wittenberg, I made lifelong friends and learned how to collaborate with others. Wittenberg's small size allowed me to get to know everyone on campus and feel comfortable in my environment. Overall, it was an amazing experience I will never forget.