The four Penn State greek councils are continuing plans to unite themselves as they gear up for the 2006 Greek Week.

This year's theme is "Greek Together. Greek Forever." Greek Week Marketing Chairman Randy Winder said the theme's meaning is unity.

It doesn't matter what council a greek student is on -- he or she is greek the whole time at Penn State and will continue to be greek after leaving college, he said.

"It's a continuous circle," Winder said. "We are Penn State greeks forever."

Panhellenic Council President Annie Larimer said this year will be bigger and more inclusive because all four councils are participating in the week.

"We are moving away from just a party week to a week where we can come together to do more," Larimer said.

Winder said the initiative to unify the councils began last year, but this year's Greek Week is continuing this move by adding a number of new events.

At 6:30 tonight in 100 Thomas, there will be a presentation titled "History of Step." Winder said this event will demonstrate some step routines attendees might have missed at last week's greek step show.

"[The event] is a lot deeper than just entertainment," he added.

Continuing with greek tradition will be the Greek Pageant at 7:30 p.m. tomorrow in Schwab Auditorium. This event will also include representatives from the National Pan-Hellenic Council and Multicultural Greek Council, changing the tradition of past pageants that just included members of the Panhellenic and Interfraternity councils, Winder said.

In another change this year, both greek men and women will be participating in the pageant. Ten greek members -- five fraternity members and five sorority members, each from the four councils -- will compete for the Mr. and Miss Greek 2006 titles, Greek Week Programming Chairwoman Hadley Spanier said.

The 10 contestants have earned academic achievements and been involved in their chapters, the greek community and Penn State activities. Each participant will compete in three areas: a Penn State/Greek Pride showcase portion, a talent portion and a question-and-answer portion.

"It's important to include men and women to showcase all unique and talented greek members," Spanier said.

On Thursday, greek students are hosting a faculty and staff appreciation reception to honor those faculty members who have affected their lives.

Winder said this gives the students an opportunity to socialize and interact with faculty outside the typical classroom atmosphere.

Spanier said this event will start bonds and relationships so the faculty can be involved in the future.

A number of other activities are also planned with the intention of bringing together the greek and Penn State communities.

On Thursday, fraternity houses will hold miniature golf competitions, with a golf hole at each house. While putting a ball, the player can learn about the history of the house and fraternity and get a tour, Winder said.

On Friday, there will be a chariot race down Fairmount Avenue at 3 p.m. Both the mini-golf holes and the chariots are being made tonight.

"Fraternity houses and frat row is thought of as a crazy, wild scene, but it's more than that," Winder said.

To close the week, Penn State greeks will participate in a community service day on Saturday and the AIDS Walk on Sunday.

Details are not final for the community service day, but the traditional AIDS Walk will be held at 1 p.m. at State College Central Parklet.