This post was written by Hatchet reporter Kristen Barnes
Barbara Willmarth Callahan nabbed her first leadership role in the late 1960s as the president of Kappa Kappa Gamma at GW.
Years later, she became the vice president of the Citicorp Investment Bank in New York.
Callahan, a former GW trustee, now wants to give back to the community helped her get her start, and will match any donation up to $10,000.
The challenge, which will commemorate the 155th year of Greek life at GW, officially launched Sept. 16. GW’s fundraising office will look to bring in donations at fraternity and sorority open houses and brunches this weekend
The fundraising challenge comes on the heels of Student Association leaders stripping $10,000 from both the Interfraternity Council and the Panhellenic Association, marking the lowest year of Greek funding in recent history.
Adrienne Rulnick, associate vice president for Development and Alumni Relations, said Greek alumni tend to be more active alumni because they retain ties to their sorority or fraternity.
“It’s an opportunity to gather and recognize the importance that Greek life has consistently been at GW, going back quite a long time,” Rulnick said of the challenge.
Mike Morsberger, vice president for Development and Alumni Relations, said students who are more engaged as undergraduates are more likely to give back, and Greek students are no exception.
The presidents of the Interfraternity Council and Panhellenic Association have been soliciting gifts from the nearly 2,300 Greek affiliated students through personal emails over the last two weeks.
Panhellenic Association President Rachael Abram donated $50, which she said would help chapters build programs, improve recruitment and hold more events.
She added that it would be “incredible” to see a challenge like this happen regularly.
“We are so thankful for this opportunity,” Abrams said. “With this donation we can reach out and help other students and the GW community,” Abrams said.
-Chloe Sorvino contributed to this report.
