The official groundbreaking of the Habitat for Humanity’s latest project was Oct. 11.

SDSU construction management students are working with Habitat for Humanity to build a home in Aurora.

Pat Pannell, the program coordinator of construction management at SDSU, said that this project “teaches students about Habitat for Humanity and gives them a chance to participate in the community.”

Twenty-six construction management students are involved in this project. They must complete 90 hours of work each in order to receive credit, and since there is no set schedule, students work at the job site whenever it is convenient for them, according to Chris Nelson, an electrical engineering student.

“People are coming and going because you have to come when you have a chance between classes,” Nelson said.

According to Pannell, this project is a great way for the students to get hands-on construction experience.

This is the second year that the SDSU construction management classes have collaborated with Habitat for Humanity to support their cause. SDSU and Habitat for Humanity decided to join forces once again because last year was “a total success,” according to Connie Swain, development director of Habitat for Humanity.

“Everything is going very well,” Swain said. “The students are doing an excellent job.”

There are four foremen on the work site, along with the students, that were chosen based on work experience. The project should be completed within two weeks.

“Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit, Christian housing ministry that works to eliminate substandard housing in the Brookings County area. They build homes in partnership with people in need and then sell the houses to the homeowner partners. Homeowners are selected based on their need for housing, ability to repay no-profit mortgage, and willingness to partner with Habitat,” according to the Brookings Habitat for Humanity Web site. Some of the mortgage payments go back to Habitat, which helps provide the support needed to build other homes. Since the labor is mostly volunteer, the mortgage is affordable for “low-income” partners.

According to the Habitat for Humanity’s Web site, the organization was founded in 1976 by Millard and Linda Fuller at the Koinonia Farm in Americus, Ga. Since then, Habitat for Humanity has built over 250,000 homes for more than one million people in 3,000 communities.

#1.882368:2128942568.jpg:Habitat.BVW.RGB.jpg:Chris Nelson, an electrical engineering major, prepares siding for installation. As one of four foreman on the project, Nelson works with 23 other students to complete a Habitat for Humanity house in two weeks.:

Students experienced “women” (fellow male classmates) strutting, leaping, dancing and sweet-talking their way into their hearts at the 2008 Homelycoming Pageant.

Ryan Stee, “Beatrice Bumbblestuff”, was crowned Miss Homelycoming in the fifth annual pageant Sept. 30.

“Now that I’ve won, I’m going to take Chris Daugaard on a date,” said Stee, a senior history and global studies major. “I practiced dancing at The Wellness Center in front of the mirrors. Some of the older patrons were making fun of me, but it was totally worth it.”

Matthew Harty, “Lindsey Peppercorn”, a junior Spanish and athletic training major received, first runner-up and Miss Congeniality. Ryan Velgersdyk, “Bristol Paline”, a senior graphic design major was second runner-up.

In order to be in the competition, participants needed to be a male student willing to model workout clothes, swimwear and evening gowns, participate in a talent portion and answer a question, said Carson Dinger, UPC Social Awareness Coordinator.

“I love this event, because it has been my favorite by far each year,” Dinger said. “I mean it’s not every day you get to see a bunch of dudes dressed in drag parading around on stage.”

This was Dinger’s first year in charge of the pageant. The only change made to the event was that it was relocated from the Performing Arts Center to the Volstorff Ball room.

Other participants were Pat Mach, “Pat Maneater Mach;” Gary Delaney, “GareBear DaaLady;” Ben Wise, “Frenchy Kiss;” and “Loretta Sin,” who alternatively references to himself as Red.

“I had to travel numerous places to search for roller skates, but in the end, I had to resort to glittery roller blades for my talent,” said Velgersdyk. “I had to dance a lot to prepare, but once I got the woman voice and walk down, I was looking sexy,” said Mach, a sophomore biology major. “I’m disappointed that I lost, but it was a fun and exciting experience. My favorite part was the opening dance because I rocked that!”

Emcees Nolan Hayes, “Grandma Margaret Downing, Jr.”, and Kyle Jameson, “Kyle Downing, Jr.”, entertained the audience with embarrassing moments and stories of the past.

“I thought the emcees were hilarious,” said Darcie Beier, a senior early childhood education major. ” [Hayes] was out of control. I loved it when he had to turn around so he would stop laughing.”

The judges for the pageant were Daugaard, SA President, Bethany Wuttke, UPC Grand Pooba, Brady Mallory, 2005 Homelycoming Runner-up “Barb Oobs”, Maria Spitz, assistant professor of Spanish and Angie Iverson-Maggi, instructor of Spanish.

“I really upped the bar with beauty and talent in 2005,” said Mallory about his judging technique. “I am looking for the grace and dignity that is Miss Homelycoming.”

The drag program is an event that revs the students up and gets them excited for the upcoming homecoming week, said Wuttke.

“Miss Homelycoming is a fun way to get students to celebrate the week and do something they don’t always get to do,” the Grand Pooba said.

As for the participants, dressing up as girls, squeezing into bathing suits and showcasing not only their talent, but their bodies as well, was all done in the name of fun and school spirit. However, it was not all fun and games, as participants were challenged with the dress code.

“It’s hard to strut when there’s stuff in the front,” said Stee.

#1.882407:44757095.jpg:homelycoming_sab-437.WEB.jpg:Ryan Stee (Beatrice Bumbblestuff) was named Miss Homelycoming Sept. 30.:Stephen Brua

Members of SDSU’s fraternities and sororities are encouraging students to “Go Greek” during this month’s recruitment events.

Men’s Greek recruitment lasts two weeks and each chapter enlists its own members, whereas women’s recruitment is one week long and all chapters recruit together. The men are recruiting from Sept. 8 through 26, and the women have a one-week event, Sept. 8 through 12.

Despite popular belief, Greek recruitment is not anything like the shows on television. According to the guidelines of the Panhellenic Council, the governing body for SDSU Greek Life, recruitment must remain low key. Chapters cannot throw parties or include alcohol in any event. Also, events cannot have decorations or party favors to sway the opinions of the pledges.

The ultimate goal of recruitment week is to get students to join the Greek system. For the women, that entails recruiting together, and though they are not as competitive as the men, each women’s chapter tries to stand out from the others in order to enroll the members they want.

“We encourage young women to Go Greek, and then they find out what chapter is the best fit for them,” said Nick Wendell, the interim adviser for the Greeks.

Theresa Dendinger, president of Alpha Xi Delta (AZD) and a senior human resource and family science major, said, “[Pledges] can choose the chapter that shares the same morals and ideas that they do and truly value what each chapter stands for.”

Overall, Greek Life is a great network that allows members to develop leadership skills, make a difference on campus, volunteer, do community service, plan and attend different events and be a part of a family, Dendinger said.

Wendell added that being in Greek Life also gives students exposure to the university administration, faculty and other students. Together, all these aspects of Greek Life help “make SDSU more than just a university that you attend, but a home for you,” Wendell said.

Throughout the year, Greek members stay active in their communities and school, whether it is by adopting a parking lot to keep clean or hosting dances for fundraisers.

“Greek Life is a great way to better yourself and get involved on campus and in the community,” Ben Wise, president of Delta Chi and an agricultural education major, said.

Despite the excitement of recruitment week, Greek members are facing challenges with the absence of an adviser. The adviser helps guide chapters in events and is often the voice of reason behind many projects. Wendell, who is also the assistant director for student activities, is currently filling the position.

“He’s doing a great job,” Dendinger said. “We appreciate everything he has done for the system.”

The absence of an adviser is not the only challenge the Greeks are facing.

“One of the biggest challenges of recruitment is convincing people to Go Greek despite the stereotypes,” Wise said. “We encourage everyone to attend at least one Greek event to check it out and see what Greek Life is really like.”

Though many of the women’s formal recruitment activities are finished, men’s recruitment still has several upcoming events. Here are some of each fraternity’s remaining recruiting events:

Delta Chi:Thurs., Sept. 11, 6:30-8 p.m. – International Food Night at the Delta Chi house (213 W. Hwy 14 Bypass)Mon., Sept. 15, 5:30-8 p.m. – Free pizza at Pizza RanchTues., Sept. 16, 7-8:30 p.m. – Leadership/Internship Presentation at the house

Farmhouse:Thurs., Sept. 11, 5 p.m. – Trap shoot and grill out. Meet at Farmhouse (729 20th Ave.)Mon., Sept. 15, 7 p.m. – Poker tournament with prizes at the houseThurs., Sept. 18, 6 p.m. – Supper and informational meeting at the house

Sigma Phi Epsilon:Thurs., Sept. 11, 5 p.m. – Game night in the Campanile Room in The UnionSat., Sept. 13, 3 p.m. – Grill out at the Sigma Phi Epsilon house (804 6th Ave.)Thurs., Sept. 18, 5-7 p.m. – Pizza and pop at the house

Sigma Phi Delta:Wed., Sept. 10, 7 p.m. – Flag football at the Sigma Phi Delta house (714 11th Ave.)Tues., Sept. 16, 7 p.m. – Design night at the houseThurs., Sept. 18, 7 p.m. – Grill out and informational session at the house

Alpha Gamma Rho:Wed., Sept. 10, 5 p.m. – Grill out and trap shooting. Meet at the Alpha Gamma Rho house (1929 E. 8th St.)Thurs., Sept. 11, 6 p.m. – Informational supper (French Dips and hash bake) at the house

Sigma Alpha Epsilon:Mon., Sept. 15, 6:30 p.m. – Texas Hold ‘Em Tournament in the Campanile Room in The UnionTues., Sept. 16, 6 p.m. – Free movie. Meet at the Cinema 5 theater.Wed., Sept. 17, 6:30 p.m. – Bonfire with yard games and volleyball at the Sigma Alpha Epsilon house (705 11th Ave.)