Literature Review #2

"Greek Life at Southern Miss: Good Grades, Giving, Growth." Daily Times Leader: n. pag. Global NewsBank. Web. 3 Mar. 2014. <http://infoweb.newsbank.com/iw-search/we/ 

     InfoWeb?p_action=doc&p_topdoc=1&p_docnum=1&p_sort=YMD_date:D&p_product=AWNB&p_text_direct-0=document_ 

     id=(%20146F69E4E3CC2B58%20)&p_docid=146F69E4E3CC2B58&p_theme=aggdocs&p_queryname=146F69E4E3CC2B58&f_o 

     penurl=yes&p_nbid=L4BL4BBHMTM5Mzg4OTIyMi40NzMzMDg6MTo5OkVCU0NPODE1Mg&&p_multi=DTLB>.

This article is mainly describing the nature of the University of Southern Mississippi's Greek Life and discussing some of the academic goals they have set and accomplishments they have made.  They bring up strong statistics about all of the organizations as a whole and discuss beneficial programs that they offer to help the students keep their grades as impressive as they are.  

The Daily Times Leader is a local newspaper that serves the areas around the University of Southern Mississippi.  Although there is no specific author credited on the article, the newspaper itself is reliable because it is close to the campus, so traveling there for research and interviews is accessible.  

The key phrase in this article is "overall culture of achievement".  This is the plan that Southern Miss Greek Life has implemented in order to maximize the academic success of its members, in addition to other values such as service and retention.  

"'We're focused on success in three areas - academics, community service and retention, as well as growth,' Schutts said." This could help my argument because strong academic emphasis results in a more successful future when seeking employment.  

"'We're elated that our fraternities and sororities are thriving in unprecedented fashion,' said Southern Miss Vice President of Student Affairs Dr. Joe Paul. 'Every positive indicator of a healthy Greek system is up -grades, recruiting, retention and philanthropy. A healthy Greek system helps retain students who will most likely continue to be engaged in their communities and with the university for a lifetime.'" This is beneficial to my argument because the advisor has seen their successes himself and describes ways that it could benefit them in the future.  

"The lessons he's learned are ones he and his fraternity brothers will carry with them in life and work, Nelson said. 'We have tremendous autonomy to run our organizations, so we learn how to manage finances, work together and with other Greeks on campus to achieve goals that benefit not only our fraternity, but the university and others who need our help. Those kinds of experiences prepare you for life after graduation.'" This quote is basically arguing my thesis for me.  Nelson, who was the President of the Interfraternity Council at Southern Miss, explains that he experienced obligations that prepared him for post-college life.  

This article is important to my argument because it has statistics, direct quotes, and information about the success of Southern Miss Greeks in academic areas and others.  It explains that they have been prepared for professional life by their duties and responsibilities as members of Greek organizations.