Greek organizations are coming together next week to compete in several different events and give back to the community.

While Greek Week typically brings out the competitive side of fraternities and sororities, this year’s organizers hope it will unify Greek students.

“It’s not just about your fraternity or your sorority — it’s about the Greek community as whole,” said Louisville junior Jackson Pohlmann, blood drive chair. “It’s about improving our community.”

Greek Affairs coordinator, Alissa Mansfield, who will experience her first WKU Greek Week this year, agreed.

“I hope that the week allows them to see that they have much more in common than they think they do and can sort of see the similarities in their organizations and grow together through Greek Week,” she said.

Greek Week events start Saturday with Topper Tailgate and will go through April 22.

Topper Tailgate begins at 3 p.m. on South Lawn and will be followed by the Red/White spring football game at Smith Stadium.

On Sunday, Greeks will take over Diddle Arena at 5 p.m. for Spring Sing. During this event, sororities and fraternities will perform songs and dances inspired by overall themes from previous Spring Sings.

“It’s great fun to watch all the organizations and what they come up with,” said Edgewood senior Elaine Burchett, co-chair of the overall Greek Week committee.  

Greeks will partner with the American Red Cross beginning Monday and lasting until Wednesday for a blood drive at the Preston Center.

The blood drive will be from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday and from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday.

“It’s a good thing to do. It helps people give back,” Pohlmann said. “You never know who needs that blood.”

It’s also the largest American Red Cross blood drive in the Tennessee Valley region, Pohlmann said.

Those participating in the blood drive can schedule their appointments by going to www.redcrossblood.org and entering source code “WKU”.

Also on Tuesday, Greeks will test their knowledge of all things Greek at Greek Feud, a game show-style event that begins at 7 p.m. in Downing University Center Auditorium.

“It’s kind of like Jeopardy, but with Greek questions,” said Louisville junior Michael Bush, co-chair of the overall Greek Week committee.

Greeks will honor WKU faculty on Wednesday. Each organization will nominate a faculty member and buy that person a gift. There will also be a faculty appreciation dinner at Mariah’s beginning at 5 p.m.

Events Day is Thursday, when organizations will gather on McCormack Hall Lawn at 3:30 p.m. to compete in games.

On Friday, the Greeks’ endurance will be tested by tug. It begins at 2 p.m. at the University Farm.

Organizations will give back to Bowling Green with the help of local volunteer groups on April 21 during Philanthropy Day.

“We’re going to get our hands dirty and help a lot of people,” Burchett said.

Greek Week will end on April 22 with Convocation at Van Meter Hall Auditorium. Doors open at 6 p.m., and the event starts at 7 p.m.

Greek organizations that placed in the top three of each event throughout the week will be recognized. An overall winner will also be announced, and several other awards will be given out.