Delta Sigma Phi’s Gamma Rho chapter (DSP) recently held its Fifth Annual Date Auction, a philanthropic fundraiser Gannon University students look forward to each year.
DSP’s Date Auction was held on Thursday in Room 101 of the Zurn Science Center.
The event drew a crowd of students and faculty and raised a total of $1,175 for Delta Sigma Phi’s national philanthropy, the American Red Cross.
The night started with a dance starring the Delta Sig new member class, including students Jeff Salerno, Tyler Duris, Alex Shepherd, Kishan Patel, Jackson Walker, Andrew Fair, JT Koch, Arron Shifffler, Kyle Crooks, Jake Weiser, Zach Van Gorder, Eddie Hobaugh, Charlie Meyers, Brett Whitty and Garrett Jageman.
Following the dance, individual brothers performed talents and welcomed bidders as the Rev. Jason Glover, Delta Sigma Phi adviser, served as the auctioneer.
Those who participated in this part of the night included new members and initiated brothers Frankie Nigro, Parth Shah, Mitch Vogatsky, Grant Folgate, Matt Colbert, Mark Wesley, Mike Clark and Jeff Edmondson.
Talents varied and included musical performances, an attempt to eat a full package of Oreos during the duration of the song “Closer,” building a bookshelf after eating hot peppers and a poetic reading of the short story “The Giving Tree” by Shel Silverstein.
Meyers stole the show at the end of the Date Auction with his vocal cover performance of “Say Something” by A Great Big World, accompanied by guitarist and fellow new member Van Gorder.
Meyers was purchased for the highest price of the night and sold for a bid of $97.
Edmondson, a sophomore computer science major, participated in the event by completing a parkour performance with Clark.
“The Date Auction is a lot of fun, and it is for a great cause,” Edmondson said. “Brothers look forward to the event every year, and it is awesome to see the student body come out to support it too.”
For the lucky ladies and gentlemen who purchased a brother of Delta Sigma Phi last Thursday, there is still much to look forward to.
On Wednesday, a group date will be held for all of the brothers and their bidders at Molly Brannigan’s Irish Pub and Restaurant.
Bailey Byrd, a sophomore mortuary science major and Delta Sigma Phi sweetheart, expressed her excitement for her upcoming date with Patel.
“The fraternity put so much hard work and energy behind this event. [Kishan] is so kind and funny and I am very excited to go on the date with him.”
Delta Sigma Phi supported their Date Auction donation by hosting a blood drive with the American Red Cross on Monday.
Byrd believes events like the Delta Sigma Phi Date Auction are important to fight negative stigmas surrounding Greek organizations, adding “Most people have a negative perception of fraternities and believe it is all about partying. What most people don’t see is all the good Greek life does… Greek life is way more than just partying, it’s about making connections and having service opportunities.”
To learn more about how to get involved in Greek life on campus, contact Tony DiPasqua, assistant director for Greek Life and Campus Engagement.
For more information about Delta Sigma Phi’s activity on campus, visit its Twitter or Instagram pages @GUDeltaSig.

KATE ROBB
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