By: Savannah Halle
Lena Farnum is a third-year student at St. Norbert College who is triple-majoring in Mathematics, Psychology, and Data Analytics. As if that doesn’t sound busy enough, this past spring and into this last fall semester, Lena also took on the role of Panhellenic president in Greek life. For those less affiliated with Greek life, the Panhellenic Council is a group of advisors most used for the recruitment seasons. It is made up of a few members from each sorority, and within this, they brainstorm themes, learn to support potential new members, and create lasting connections outside of their own group. Like all of the other Greek and Social life groups, this council requires an executive board, and Lena was voted to be the president. She applied for the position partly because she had loved her previous time on Panhel as a delegate, but also because she wanted a leadership position that would allow her to grow in ability and confidence as a leader. However, her previous experience in many jobs, like a choreographer for countless musicals, has given her a leg up in creativity and vocality in larger social settings. For her, meetings consisted of planning for recruitment, receiving updates for each chapter, and training her delegates on how to advise potential new members on how to find their forever home.
As Fall Recruitment rolled around, her schedule got busier. A recruitment day consisted of an early morning to make sure each sorority’s respective rooms were set up and to check and see what everyone needed. She contacts and creates the schedule for each member to give when they arrive, and gathers them to direct them to the rooms. She assisted the Panhel delegates in rotations of rooms and stayed late with Shelly, the advisor of both Panhel and Greek/Social life, to count the votes from both sororities and the potential new members. While these days were filled with lasting memories and fulfilling moments, they did not go without their challenges. Lena notes how one of the hardest parts was figuring out what was best for any and all of the groups at any given moment, and also attempting to gauge overall interest in Greek life from the incoming classes at the college. From this experience, she has learned how to navigate through different environments, which is a skill that will be put to use for the rest of her life. Although her presidency is at an end, and another has taken her place, she advises this next president and all after to keep Panhel structured because it’s necessary, but to also keep it a place of friendship, because at the end of the day, that is what this is all about. Lena had initially gone to Greek life and eventually joined her sorority, Alpha Xi Delta, because she wanted to find friends outside of her sport. With Panhel, she got that opportunity again.
Being part of the Honors Program at St. Norbert College had a large influence on her ability to not only join Greek life but also flourish as Panhellenic president. Lena describes that her time in Bergstrom, the first-year Honors student dorm, instilled confidence in her. A close-knit community had been made during her year within those walls, and it gave her the assurance that she could talk to strangers and meet new people. It made her want to reach outside of the people she had already met and to see all of the wonderful things that St. Norbert College had to offer, and she encourages everyone to do the same.
