By Allison M. Strickland

    Fraternity and sorority members packed into downtown’s Memorial Auditorium on March 6 for the 68th annual Fryberger Sing, along with crowds of friends and family members who showed up to watch the entertainment.

The event is named after former music professor Agnes Moore Fryberger. Fryberger left the university because of poor health, and students started the program to honor her and pay tribute to her love of music.

Seven of the Interfraternity Council’s 11 fraternities participated in this year’s Fryberger, and all six of the PanHellenic Council sororities participated.

Delta Zeta placed first overall in the sorority division with the theme of “Let Freedom Sing,” and Sigma Chi placed first for the fraternities with “Simon Says,” songs by Simon and Garfunkel. Rounding out the women’s winners were Pi Beta Phi at second (“Rent”), and Sigma Kappa at third (“Sigma Sound Machine”).

In the fraternity division, Sigma Alpha Epsilon placed second (“Songs of Sandler”), and Phi Kappa Tau placed third (“TV Theme Songs”).

“I’m so proud of everyone. We really pulled together. I couldn’t be happier,” said senior Biology major Rachel Gold, the song chair for Delta Zeta.

“This year was the toughest competition since I’ve been at U of L,” said junior Industrial Engineering major Ben Arterburn, Sigma Chi’s song chair. “We’re lucky we pulled it off.”

Sigma Chi and Sigma Kappa were awarded Best Small Group, SAE and Kappa Delta were awarded Best Costume and SAE and Sigma Kappa won Most Entertaining.

Fryberger judges were Allison Hammons, Darnell Johnson, Dot King, Alferna Lewis and Danielle Minnis. Mark Kull, a junior Business major and president of the Business School Student Council, emceed the event.

The Greek Woman and Man of the Year awards were also presented during Fryberger. Renae Steele, PanHellenic president and member of the Kappa Delta sorority, was named Greek Woman of the Year, and Brent Hurst, president of SAE, was named Greek Man of the Year.

When Fryberger first began, U of L was on a quarter system and the school year extended into June, so the event was held outdoors and on the front steps of Grawemeyer Hall, said Joni Burke, assistant director for Student Life and a Greek advisor. The groups sang a cappella without instruments.

“I got involved with this event in the mid-‘90s and it had reached a serious decline,” said Burke. “At that time, it was run by SAB and was being held in the Red Barn. People had lost interest in wanting to participate, so we put together a task force to make it more relevant.”

Groups are now allowed the use of one instrument. Each organization picks a theme and puts together a medley of songs, and dance moves accompany the singing.

“It’s a great tradition,” said Burke. “Almost anyone who has graduated from U of L that has been a member of a Greek organization can say, ‘I was in Fryberger.’”

Members of the Fryberger Committee were Kathryn Honegger, chair; Kelly Jo Goodman and Summer Polson, stage managers; Lindsey Jones, production manager; Nate Haney, awards/judges; Maggie Lorenz and Nora Schack, ticket sales; Chris Foushee, treasurer; Leah Ferguson, public relations; Cassandra Chariot and Melissa McHendrix, Unity Serenade; and Daniel Marlin, program editor.

Fryberger is part of Greek Week, which raises money for various Kosair charities.