Chris Mueller's column was somewhat extreme, but the points he was trying to make are legitimate. The greek community is largely responsible for Thon's success.

Many greek organizations engage in self-promotion, and the need for self-promotion and public recognition calls into question some of the motives behind fundraising.

Things might have changed from when I was in my fraternity, but I remember the case of a specific fraternity that raised a lot of money independently.

Not surprisingly, the following year, several sororities that rarely (if ever) scheduled social events with this fraternity wanted to be their Thon partner.

Assuming these sororities would work just as hard FTK regardless of who they were paired with, then what sparked this newfound interest?

A desire to form a new social bond with another group or the enhanced reputation to be derived through a potential top three finish? I equate this scenario to the prom queen who flirts with the nerd when she needs help with her homework, yet ignores him at parties.

My fraternity's philanthropy is a great time, is largely successful, and the money raised benefits children with leukemia.

If it's about the cause and not the recognition, then why is it that many of the sororities/fraternities we invite to take part in this philanthropy never participate?

And some of the sororities send over a $20 check and two girls who sulk in the corner because they were "forced" to come.

In an ideal world, corporations wouldn't donate for the tax writeoffs, the wealthy would donate anonymously without having events named after them, and the only numbers that would be publicized would be Thon's final totals.

I believe that you can and should be proud of the fact that you contributed to a great cause without the need for any public recognition.

I guess the ends justify the means.