University of Oklahoma's Dedication to Gandhi
On September 30th, 2011 the brothers of Delta Epsilon Psi, Epsilon Chapter hosted an annual tradition “Before the Change” event. This event is a prequel to Epsilon Chapter’s main signature service event “Be the Change” for the fall semester. The main purpose of “Before the Change” is to give a presentation to the public of whom Mahatma Gandhi was and what he did to gain independence for India. After the presentation, the brothers served Indian food to the audience. Several Indian restaurants in the Norman area, including Taste of India, Gopuram, and Himalayas, donated the food. It was great to see the support from all the different Multi-Cultural Greek organizations, including Alpha Kappa Delta Phi, Phi Dee, Tau Kappa Omega, Alpha Phi, Delta Phi Omega, Beta Chi Theta, and the Oklahoma Undergraduate India Society. The people who came out definitely left the event knowing and appreciating what Mahatma Gandhi did as well as learning a little bit of the Indian culture.
“Be the Change” was held on October 1st, 2011 and was hosted by the brothers of Delta Epsilon Psi, Epsilon Chapter, as well as Delta Phi Omega and Beta Chi Theta. This event was Epsilon’s main service event for this semester. There were numerous sites for “Be the Change” which includes, Habitat for Humanity, Hands Helping Paws, YMCA, and at the student union where attendees were making dog toys. Each site was unique in the fact that they needed something done specifically for them. At Habitat for Humanity, participants were supposed to build shelves and organize paint colors together. Volunteers at the Hands Helping Paws obtained service hours by cleaning up cages, walking the dogs, and feeding and providing water for all pets at this shelter. The people at the YMCA received their service hours by cleaning up the pool area, playing with kids, cleaning the nursery, and other various good deeds. Volunteers at the student union had to make dog toys using misprinted shirts. One of the most important aspects of “Be the Change” was that all South-Asian Greeks on our campus united to make this event possible. There were four different groups and each group was designated to one of these locations to do service. Another important aspect of “Be the Change” is that each group was diversified not only by people, but also by whom each person is represented.
“Before the Change” and “Be the Change” are traditional events that happen every year in October on our campus. It is wonderful to see all these people represent their organization and be mixed in different groups to do service and help out the community. Every year the brothers of Delta Epsilon Psi, Epsilon Chapter, looks forward to hosting these two events because it has been a tradition and has been a successful event each time they host “Before the Change” and “Be the Change.”
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Harish Narayana
Epsilon Chapter
