African-American organizations traditionally collaborate to unify students and celebrate Homecoming week through the 2013 Family Reunion.
The National Pan-Hellenic Council, Black Student Union and National Association for the Advancement of Colored People sponsored the annual gathering which featured music, food and role reversal entertainment. The reunion was held the evening of Oct. 21 in the War Memorial Student Union. Everyone was invited to attend.
“The Family Reunion is about unity.  It is a chance for every Greek organization in the National Pan-Hellenic Council to mingle and get to know each other,” said Auriell Celestine, vice president of NPHC sororities. “The Family Reunion entails hard work, dedication and plenty of cooperation. It allows us to come out of our comfort zone because we are all the most comfortable with our own organizations.”  
Despite weather and preparation issues, the reunion was considered a success by attendants.
“The turnout for the reunion was better than I had expected,” said Celestine. “The weather that day seemed to be getting bad, and I worried that no one would show up due to the weather.”
The NPHC prepared their traditional entertainment of sorority members impersonating fraternity members and vice versa. The groups were composed of a mix of each sorority and fraternity, who all dressed and danced in imitation of their counterparts.
“We have this annual thing where the guys will impersonate the girls and the girls will impersonate the guys, just to have fun, get out there and celebrate Homecoming,” said Myles Haydel, president of the NPHC.
Haydel has served in his current leadership role for less than one month and explained that the event was pulled together last minute due to his unfamiliarity with the position. The 2013 Family Reunion was almost canceled.
“I’m surprised at how well it turned out because it was kind of last minute. I didn’t think we’d have this many people come out,” said Haydel. “I was sort of shoved into the president position. I had to pull it together quick because I wanted to make sure we had it.”
The Student Union was packed with students who began filling up the stairs and walkways as well. Several students felt the high volume music added an essential element of vibe to the gathering.
“I love the energy and the vibe. I like it exactly how it is; they need to have it like this every year,” said Jeanita Lizarazu, a freshman nursing major. “When you feel the music, it really contributes to the mood.”
While free food commonly serves as an attendance motivator, students enjoyed the reunion’s atmosphere of fellowship as well.
“I came because it’s the start of homecoming week, and they said it would be fun and have free food,” said Ariel Trimm, a freshmen athletic training major. “It’s real nice to see the Greeks and other organizations come together. I’m not in any of the organizations yet, but I want to join one eventually.”
Since it began in 2008, the Family Reunion has served as an energetic part of Homecoming Week at the university.
“I enjoyed working with everyone,” said Celestine. “I’d like to say thank you to all who came to the event, supported the reunion and everyone who helped to make the event a success.”
For information on future NPHC events, e-mail Haydel at [email protected].