Greek Life, Prep Style

In the South, and perhaps especially in Texas, fraternities and sororities are almost a forgone conclusion for a significant segment of the population. If you come from a Southern family, and you are a legacy, the likelihood of you going Greek is is pretty high. My mother is a Kappa Delta, one uncle is a Delta Kappa Epsilon, another is a Southern Gentleman of the Kappa Alpha Order. My father was not a fraternity man- far too "independent" and "creative" for that, I suppose, but it is undeniable that Greek Life has a serious pull on a portion of my family.

Although I rushed and pledged a fraternity in my undergraduate days at the University of Texas, due to the darker side of the Greek System, I depledged. I won't name the organisation here, but I was invited, as a pledge, to a blackface party. My egalitarian sensibilities were deeply offended, and I did not return. I thought that would be my last brush with Greek Life. As fate and curiosity would have it, I discovered Greek Life was alive and well at the university where I am pursuing my graduate studies, and I was curious to see if my former experience could be confirmed or denied.

I decided to rush, and I was surprised to discover I was not the oldest to do so, nor the first graduate student to do so, and I found a group of guys I really enjoyed hanging out with. I pledged and was initiated into Kappa Sigma Fraternity, the bulk of my pledge class were first term freshmen. A unique experience to say the least. A unique experience that continues...

...and also has an excellent sense of style.


Edward R. Murrow was a Kappa Sigma.


Waving the Kappa Sigma flag in a nifty bow tie.


Kappa Sigma and Vineyard Vines join forces for A Greater Cause.

AEKDB, Brothers. And to all my Greeks, "From the outside, you can't understand it. From the inside, you can't explain it."

Photo Credits: Murrow Museum, Austin Photography, Vineyard Vines.

By George

George, of J. CREW.