Fraternities and sororities. In some places, these two words bring to mind the image of a group of exclusive, entitled party-goers who spend more time thinking about the latest fashion trends than their studies.

At Wichita State, the image is different.

At Wichita State it is “Greek life the way it’s meant to be,” says Lyston Skerritt, assistant director of fraternity and sorority life for the university.

“It’s the preemptive nature of how we do things that makes a big difference,” Skerritt says.

An active involvement among alumni and administration helps to keep fraternity and sorority life at WSU from falling into the stereotype. Skerritt describes the system as one that seeks to identify things that are being done now that could become issues in three years and stopping them before they become the standard.

This close involvement with administration has allowed the Greek system to thrive, carrying on many campus traditions and encouraging students to get further involved.

Tram Ngo, a member of the Delta Gamma chapter, says going Greek at Wichita State has opened a multitude of doors for her to give back to the campus and the community.

“I didn’t know how much chapters worked for their philanthropy,” says Ngo. “They put time into it and make an impact on others, rather than just putting money into something.”

These open doors also provide a community that creates active citizens who live out the values of these organizations.

Sigma Psi Zeta member Thao Le agrees, saying that her sorority has allowed her to gain a lot of experience developing leadership and communication skills, as well as learning how to work together in a team.

“I’m a lot more confident now than I was before,” says Le.

Wichita State is home to 23 individual chapters and three Greek councils, the Multicultural Greek Council, the Interfraternity Council and the National Panhellenic Council. Skerritt says fraternity and sorority life at WSU is constantly seeking to be more inclusive while growing, supporting and building the community.

“Our goal is to get students to graduation with a great college experience,” said Skerritt. “We move up in everything every year -- higher GPA, better retention and better matriculation rate for those who stay involved in the system.”

Cathy Durano, whose son, Alex, is in a fraternity at Wichita State, appreciates the different community offered here.

“I have been very pleased that my son joined a fraternity at Wichita State,” says Cathy. “I have seen him grow in leadership skills, make lasting friendships and develop a network of contacts that will help him in his future.”

However, the system goes significantly deeper than that, according to Skerritt.

“It’s not just the intramural championships and the Greek awards,” says Skerritt. “It’s those personal experiences of that person who got up at night and helped you through whatever you needed help with. It’s knowing that you have someone that you can pick the phone up for, and that they’ll show up and not ask any questions.”