Frat Row

"Why did you come to Penn State?" is a question that is always asked by everyone at State College. The typical response: "I came to get a great education and party." Of course everyone knows that Penn State is great for its education. We are ranked 47 in the United States by U.S.News and world report and is known for its amazing business programs like Smeal College. However, some people do not know what the party actually consists of.  Welcome to Frat Row.

First off, Frat Row is short for fraternity row, and it is basically all fraternities in one designated area of campus. Penn State is known for its large philanthropy that consists of fraternities and sororities. Because of this, thousands and maybe even millions of dollars are invested in these fraternities' houses that has been here since 1855. Every greek organization has their own purpose that distinguishes their fraternities from others. However, no one really cares about that. They care about the parties.

Every fraternity is ranked by other people that went to these fraternities when they partied. They get evaluated on how attractive the guys and the females are, how hard they can party, and if liquor and alcohol is still in existence after several hours of the party. Because of this, the higher the tier of the fraternity, the more exclusive it is for someone to get in there. You must know a brother in these fraternities and hopefully, because sometimes it is a closed social, they will let you in.

                                           A tier ranking list that is MOSTLY agreed on

                                                         

The blatant truth is if you do not know anyone at these higher tiers party, then you are not getting in. It doesn't matter how much you can bench press, how cool you are. If you do not know a brother, then that is when people at the door will treat you like a nobody depending on how high the fraternity is on the ranking system. So, you sort of have to have a name or a reputation to get in.

                         A preview of some of the brothers I have in my phone from different frats

Luckily for me, I am pretty popular for an average freshman that is not on the football team. I made a lot of connections so that I can get to the best of the best parties and have fun. However, it sucks that these parties are literally sickening to be part of. I see some of the most stuck up, racist, ignorant, drunk, drugged out people that I have ever seen in my life. Don't get me wrong, not every fraternity is like this, it could just be the ones that I attend to, and not everyone is like that. However, when you become so embedded in this lifestyle, you see the secret truth in these parties: people are looking for acceptance. People think that getting themselves in a position of power will make them happy, will make them get their dream girl. They think that being on a certain level of "high" will erase all of their problems. You can say frat row is an escape from responsibilities and reality. However, this illusion of a second world is not worth the disrespect for the way how women and randoms are treated. I don't know... I feel disgusting that I am enamored with this life style. We are Penn State right? I have to conform with this mentality in order to have fun right? Who knows... I love it when I know I shouldn't. KDC.

                                                                PIKE(Pi Kappa Alpha)

WE ARE... PENN STATE!

We are Penn State.  Penn state has more than 645,000 alums that graduated from Penn State. On top of that, there are 95,973 enrolled students. Now, with so much people that are affiliated with penn State, you know there are so many benefits that separates us from other universities.

                                                                     Nittany Lion

For example, the white loop at state college. The white loop on thursday, friday, and saturday is one of the most hectic bus rides you probably ever experience in your life time. This bus only contains roughly 30 seats max. However, people got parties to attend to, places to hang out with their friends, and other responsibilities. Because of this, EVERYONE is trying to get on this one bus instead of waiting for the next white loop. But I promise you, despite the packed bus to frat row or to your favorite apartment party, it is worth it.

"WE ARE..." wait for it,  " PENN STATE".  This chant is normally repeated 3 times, and every single person on the bus is yelling this chant. This infamous chant expresses our reverence for our school, and expresses unity amongst all students. Imagine yelling, "We Are" on your local city bus. Guarantee you that people going to look at you with dismay on their faces like, "who man is this?"

                                                                       Packed Bus

Also, we got the HUB. Let me tell you something, the HUB can make a student with the highest meal plan go broke in less than a month if you continue to eat there. However, it is worth it!!!! So many options to chose from. We got Burger King, Jamba Juice, Panda Express, Sbarro, Chick-Fil-A , Blue Burrito,  and even Starbucks!! Now, a meal there cost $10 depending on what you order, but I think it is worth it when you smiling after every bite.

                                                                           HUB

Have you been to a football game at Penn State before? It is one of the most memorable events you will ever witness at college. First off,  we pay cheap tickets to see our favorite players like Saquon Barkley and Christian Hackenberg play intense level of college football. Then, Penn State has the second biggest stadium in the country!! So, our seats nearly fills 100,000 people a game. At these games, we got the notorious blue and white shirts showing our pride letting the other team know why we are prideful Nittany Lions. Also, at these games, we got friendly and welcoming tailgates where food is cooked on grills, and laughs with friends and family are unforgettable.

                                                              Christian Hackenberg

There are more reasons what separates Penn Staters than other colleges, but one of the main distinguishable features we have is the Berkey Creamery. The creamery has one of the freshest and most authentic ice cream ever served since we have a farm filled with cows. They also have that morning coffee to get your day started. They have so many toppings, milkshakes, and even pretzels for an ice cream shop. This shop literally can do everything.

                                                                   Berkey Creamery

I love Penn State. No ands, ifs, or buts. I made the best decision of my life because I met new friendly people from different backgrounds, teachers that cares about you, and a family that a can call my second home. WE ARE... PENN STATE!

                                                             WE ARE PENN STATE

What Are YOU Dancing For?

At Penn State, one of the biggest organization is THON. THON raised $13 million dollars last year due to dancing for 48 hours. Some people might say how is this even possible, but Penn Staters always find a way. When you hear the mission statement of THON, which is: "to provide emotional and financial support, spread awareness and ensure funding for critical research - all in pursuit of a cure", you can now understand why these volunteers are dancing for hours, even days. It is unbelievable how passionate and caring these THONERS are. Well, some...

                                                                         THON

 

Disclaimer: I am not in THON so I am not 100% knowledgeable on the full details and ALL events that occurs. However, I can tell you what I have recently heard from other people in SOME of these committees.

                                                                     Whispering

 

"The purpose of THON became lost. I participated in THON in my high school year, and nearly raised several hundred thousand dollars from doing the exact same thing these college students are doing, but the reasons differs. I was doing it for the kids. Not because of the socials."

 

                                                                Kids with Cancer

 

For those of you that do not know what a THON social is, a THON social is supposed to be an event where you can get to know the people that you are dancing with for 48 hours. Easily, some might wonder where's the harm with talking to people that are in your committee, but the problem occurs where the socials mainly consists of underage drinking that is highly celebrated at these "socials." "SOME" of these people join THON just to drink and party while some actually do "social" and "dance" for those kids with cancer.

 

                                                  Notorious Game Called Beer Pong

 

"My excuse is that I am young" some college students say. The idea of living life by partying before maturity and responsibilities comes in "justifies" the excessive amount of alcohol and liquor giving to these people in the socials.

 

                                                              Beer Drinking Games

 

I had people tell me that they get "black out drunk" after one of these socials. I had people tell me that they couldn't remember anything they did from the previous night due to all the liquor and alcohol consumption they endured. The stories I hear from people are insane.

 

                                                           Someone Blacking Out

 

One of my closest friends that I consider one of my brothers dropped THON 2 weeks before the main event: THON weekend. He told me he dropped it because he is tired of seeing people talk about partying, drinking, and smoking, which are things that are completely irrelevant instead of focusing on the actual cause that really matters. I am not sure about you, but I think that speaks volume. The fact that he didn't even finish THON when he knows how good it will look on his resume proves that he does not want to be included or associated with a committee that forgets what they are dancing for on a consistent basis.

 

                                                                 Someone Thinking

 

Now, I am not saying that "ALL" people in THON are in it for the free drinks, but "SOME" are. I can't tell you how you should live your life, or what is best for you because that is up to you to decide. However, do not say you genuinely care about these kids that are dying of cancer and incurable diseases where your main focus is not on them.

 

                                                                          THON