Hannah Lowenthal, a sophomore at University of Oregon’s Chi Omega Sorority,has taken on the responsibility of ensuring that her sorority sisters have fun. At the start of winter term, she became the social chair of Chi Omega and has planned the sorority’s formals, date dashes and functions ever since.
“The girls kind of rely on the functions to have a great time sometimes, and they look forward to them so if it doesn’t go well or it doesn’t go as planned, you kind of take the fall for it — because it’s your responsibility,” Lowenthal said.
One of Lowenthal’s biggest tasks as social chair so far was Chi Omega’s annual Cardinal Ball formal. She booked the venue, chose the food and organized buses that took Chi Omega members and their dates to the Downtown Athletic Club, where the ball took place.
“Everyone raves about what a great time Cardinal Ball was this term,” Lowenthal said. “It went really well, and I like seeing everyone’s faces and how happy they are and how much fun they’re having.”
For spring term, Low is planning Chi Omega’s spring fling and barn dance date functions. She has already started finalizing payment plans with two venues. Low is also looking to plan barbecues with different fraternities.
But balancing barbecues and barn dances with school isn’t an issue for Low. She does most of her work as social chair on the weekends so that it doesn’t conflict with her studies.
“It doesn’t really interfere with work — school is my number one priority,” Low said. “That’s why I’m here, you know, and that’s what my parents are paying me to be here for. (Social chair) is kind of a perk.”
Besides enjoying the looks on her sisters’ faces during a successful event, Low sees her responsibilities as social chair as good practice for her career aspirations.
“I’m a PR major, so I kind of wanted to practice networking and meeting new people, and it’s a good way to meet a lot of people in Greek life especially,” Low said. “I think it’s a good stepping stone to hopefully bigger things.”