Nora Meeks, Staff Writer–
“Real love is not possessive or jealous, it is liberating.”
These are some of the opening words spoken by university chaplain Stephanie McLemore at the second annual Fraternity and Sorority Life (FSL) Greek Wedding. McLemore began the ceremony by acknowledging that this is one of the strangest aspects of her job as university chaplain, rousing a chuckle of acknowledgement from the crowd.
Held on Reese-Shackelford Commons, the wedding consists of seven couples. Each individual represents one of Denison’s 14 Greek organizations. Started last year by Phi Iota Alpha (Phiota) member Alex Pan ‘24, the wedding is meant to unite the various organizations through the bond of marriage. Pan wanted to find a way to get the organizations to collaborate not just across councils but across racial and cultural identities as well.
Although the marriage is not legally or spiritually binding, the organizations hold an event together afterward to help achieve its goal of unity. The wedding includes two readings about love and friendship before the couples turn to face each other.
“It was a little awkward because I had never met that girl before and you have to look her in the eyes,” said Delta Chi (Dchi) member Colin Luse ‘26, who was a first time participant in the wedding.
Instead of exchanging traditional wedding vows, the couple said vows of reaffirmation of the commitment to their Greek organizations. These included commitment to service and betterment of their communities. The couples exchanged gummy rings brought forward by an enthusiastic Kappa Sigma (Ksig) ringbearer. The 15 minute ceremony concluded with Rev. McLemore saying “I now pronounce you really good sports, you may exchange fist bumps.”
“It’s meant to join the groups together and show communication and bonding between all the Greek organizations on campus,” said Owen Tekelenburg ‘26, the Interfraternity Council (IFC) for the Beta Theta Pi (Beta) fraternity.
Kappa Alpha Theta (Theta) President Anne Blatt ‘25 agrees. “Since there are multiple chapters (of Greek organizations) you hang out with your own chapter but seeing everyone together is really nice,” Blatt said.
This year’s wedding was organized by Tony Baldovinos Jr. ‘25. He saidthat the wedding is important to make sure all the organizations are seen.
“It’s about being acknowledged, and we are being acknowledged now,” Baldovinos said. He paired the organizations together by size. Smaller organizations are paired with bigger organizations. For example Theta, one of the larger sororities, was married to Phi Beta Sigma which only has one member. Andrew Hanson ‘26 said “there is a division between multicultural and non-multicultural fraternities and sororities…it’s fantastic to have a collaboration.” Each member of the couple also gives their partner a gift to symbolize their union.
The wedding also has a philanthropic aspect. Last year’s wedding raised money for the Licking County Humane Society, and this year collected non-perishable food items for the Food Pantry Network. This tradition builds stronger relationships between all Greek organizations on Dension’s campus and will hopefully continue for many more years.