Spring Break
Club makes revival after 20-year break
Deur Julie Tcha
Issue date: 5/14/08 Section: Features
Living a Greek life is fun, full of traditions and full of food. No, I'm not talking about being in a Sacramento State fraternity or sorority. I'm talking about speaking Greek, eating traditional Greek foods and learning the culture. I'm talking about the sort of things you saw in the movie "My Big Fat Greek Wedding."
A way students can enjoy what the modern Greek language and culture have to offer is by joining the revived Greek Club, which has been dead for about 20 years.
Kathy Fotopoulos, the only Greek language professor, said that she didn't know it hasn't been on campus for 20 years until this semester because her students would tell her it has been that long.
After hearing one of her students talk about starting the club on numerous occasions, Fotopoulos took it upon herself to nominate the student as the president.
Graduating senior Allison Henry is the president of the language club and has a few things to say about "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" as one of the ways many students get exposure to the Greek culture.
She said the few things the movie portrayed correctly included the food and dance.
The club wishes to embrace the modern Greek language and culture through cultural events and gatherings.
Henry, whose mother is Greek, said it is important for her to keep up with the language because she wants her children to learn to speak Greek. Starting the club allowed her to further incorporate the Greek language and culture into her life.
"We've got it started, but nothing is going on," Henry said. "Fall semester is when there will be set meetings and events."
This semester was focused on the organization and constitution of the club; there were hardly any meetings this semester.
Much of the complication deals with Henry's inability to take a Greek course this semester, the club starting from scratch and not having many members. Another complication is that the only modern Greek professor is unable to be the adviser for the Greek language club.
Latin professor Mark Riley is the adviser of records for the Greek Club. He taught Modern Greek during the spring 2006 semester.
Fotopoulos is a part-time professor, which disqualifies her as an adviser for a club.
Fotopoulos, who is Greek, encourages students to join the club and take a modern Greek language course. Most exposure students have gotten about the Greek Club has been through the courses.
There are only four courses offered at Sac State. However, students are able to minor in Greek studies.
Fotopoulos said that the two modern Greek classes offered this semester have nine students total. One of them is Greek.
"We welcome all students to the club, not just those who are taking modern Greek," Henry said.
Most students will find benefits of being in the club and classes.
"The Greek language can open a new dimension in your intellectual world," Fotopoulos said.
She said that students who major in fields including anthropology, history, mathematics, philosophy and psychology would have an edge if they took Greek as a minor.
"It would benefit an anthropology student because it's so ancient," Fotopoulos said. "The language will give you an advantage to go back and look into antiquity."
Furthermore, she said that whether we realize it or not, the Greek language surrounds us every day.
Words used daily on campus include pizza, music and beer, which all derived from the Greek vocabulary.
"The Greek culture and language contribute to many civilizations, especially in the English language," Henry said.
The club will explore these contributions.
Although the Greek community greatly revolves around the Orthodox churches, Henry doesn't plan to collaborate with them because she wants to stay within the educational sphere.
Others in the club wish to have events next semester.
Pre-nursing major and treasurer of the club, Patricia Chuson, plans to have events with other clubs on campus.
Chuson said that although she hasn't spoken with Henry for some time, she would like to have events with the Latin Club.
The members will talk about events, promoting and meetings during the summer.
"Hopefully we will get a lot done this summer and then next semester things, will be up and going," Henry said.
Deur Julie Tcha can be reached at djtcha@statehornet.com
A way students can enjoy what the modern Greek language and culture have to offer is by joining the revived Greek Club, which has been dead for about 20 years.
Kathy Fotopoulos, the only Greek language professor, said that she didn't know it hasn't been on campus for 20 years until this semester because her students would tell her it has been that long.
After hearing one of her students talk about starting the club on numerous occasions, Fotopoulos took it upon herself to nominate the student as the president.
Graduating senior Allison Henry is the president of the language club and has a few things to say about "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" as one of the ways many students get exposure to the Greek culture.
She said the few things the movie portrayed correctly included the food and dance.
The club wishes to embrace the modern Greek language and culture through cultural events and gatherings.
Henry, whose mother is Greek, said it is important for her to keep up with the language because she wants her children to learn to speak Greek. Starting the club allowed her to further incorporate the Greek language and culture into her life.
"We've got it started, but nothing is going on," Henry said. "Fall semester is when there will be set meetings and events."
This semester was focused on the organization and constitution of the club; there were hardly any meetings this semester.
Much of the complication deals with Henry's inability to take a Greek course this semester, the club starting from scratch and not having many members. Another complication is that the only modern Greek professor is unable to be the adviser for the Greek language club.
Latin professor Mark Riley is the adviser of records for the Greek Club. He taught Modern Greek during the spring 2006 semester.
Fotopoulos is a part-time professor, which disqualifies her as an adviser for a club.
Fotopoulos, who is Greek, encourages students to join the club and take a modern Greek language course. Most exposure students have gotten about the Greek Club has been through the courses.
There are only four courses offered at Sac State. However, students are able to minor in Greek studies.
Fotopoulos said that the two modern Greek classes offered this semester have nine students total. One of them is Greek.
"We welcome all students to the club, not just those who are taking modern Greek," Henry said.
Most students will find benefits of being in the club and classes.
"The Greek language can open a new dimension in your intellectual world," Fotopoulos said.
She said that students who major in fields including anthropology, history, mathematics, philosophy and psychology would have an edge if they took Greek as a minor.
"It would benefit an anthropology student because it's so ancient," Fotopoulos said. "The language will give you an advantage to go back and look into antiquity."
Furthermore, she said that whether we realize it or not, the Greek language surrounds us every day.
Words used daily on campus include pizza, music and beer, which all derived from the Greek vocabulary.
"The Greek culture and language contribute to many civilizations, especially in the English language," Henry said.
The club will explore these contributions.
Although the Greek community greatly revolves around the Orthodox churches, Henry doesn't plan to collaborate with them because she wants to stay within the educational sphere.
Others in the club wish to have events next semester.
Pre-nursing major and treasurer of the club, Patricia Chuson, plans to have events with other clubs on campus.
Chuson said that although she hasn't spoken with Henry for some time, she would like to have events with the Latin Club.
The members will talk about events, promoting and meetings during the summer.
"Hopefully we will get a lot done this summer and then next semester things, will be up and going," Henry said.
Deur Julie Tcha can be reached at djtcha@statehornet.com
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Genene Kluck
posted 10/14/08 @ 8:39 PM PST
We have a Greek scholar living with us until December. He is a post doc researcher with UCD & his home university of Thesaloniki. Do you know of anyone he could meet & speak with in his home language? He is totally bilingual but misses very much his community. (Continued…)
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