Bree Ceranske

When will you graduate from Gustavus Adolphus College?
June 2012
What is your major?
Biology, English, Religion Minor
What is your anticipated profession? Do you feel like your participation in Greek Life will help you in this profession?
I plan on attending Chiropractic school in the Fall of 2012.
Eventually I will need to run a team of assistants and fellow doctors of Chiropractic, so my involvement in Greek Life is crucial. I have learned how to delegate tasks, work with people I am not necessarily compatible with, and collaborate. These will all be important skills to take into the work field.
Why did you decide to get involved in Greek Life? How did you decide what fraternity/sorority was right for you?
I wanted to get along with a group of women. All my life I’ve played with the boys—climbing trees, fighting, playing sports. It was time that I learned how to work with a group of women and trust them. High school is not a time that allows for women to truly trust each other.
I chose the Tau Mu Tau Sorority because it was newly reinstated. The girls were excited about being back on campus, and the TMs were the first ever Greek affiliated organization started in 1904. I loved that fact. I meshed with most all of the girls, and I could see myself taking a leadership role.
What kinds of community projects do you participate in? What positive impact do you feel you have had on the community during your time on campus?
The TMs do a Christmas Tree Project every December. We fund the gifts for 5-8 families of St. Peter. Also, we put on a Suicide Awareness Week in April every year, and all of our earnings are donated to the national Suicide Awareness Organization. It’s a week open to all students on campus with various activities about how to stay mentally healthy and watch for warning signs.
Is any emphasis was put on preserving your history? What is done to ensure that future generations carry on your tradition?
It’s important that our history is preserved so future generations know the evolution of women associated with the Tau Mu Tau Sorority. We place things in the archives every year to insure that future TM members will have artifacts and documentation of the women involved with the group.
Does Greek Life ever get in the way of academics? Is there anything you would like to change?
It’s hard to balance a college lifestyle, no matter if there is Greek involvement or not. Yes, the pledge period was a difficult two weeks, but in comparison to past years and other schools the Gustavus pledge period is hardly demanding. You personally have to know your own limits. If something is going to interfere with academics, which should be every students first priority (otherwise why are we here?), then it is up to the individual to manage their rime effectively and disengage in certain activities—Greek life included.
Would you encourage others to get involved in Greek Life? What is your perspective now that you have been involved for a few years?
It’s such an individual experience. I would encourage someone to get involved in the Gustavus community and organizations, but I do not feel in anyway that Greek life is the sole organization. There are wonderful ways to get involved at Gustavus—sports clubs, forensics, Gustie Greeters, CFing, you name it we’ve got it. The Tau Mu Tau Sorority is right for me…I cannot speak about other Greek Organizations. I love being a TM, as it has significantly shaped my college career for the better. You have to find an organization that is a good fit for you, regardless if it’s Greek or not.
In the past, Greeks have conflicted with campus officials. At one point in the late 1980s, all fraternities and sororities were kicked off campus. What do you know about this conflict?
I know that it was a rough time for Greek organizations. There was little to no monitoring or expectations. In many ways this would be wonderful, but it would be hard to keep each organization in check, and that’s what was happening. People make mistakes, people go overboard. So do campus officials. I believe it was a break for both sides, but the organizations lived on. We’re here today, aren’t we?
Do you have a vision of what your fraternity/ Sorority will become? How do you feel about the legacy you will leave behind?
Tau Mu Tau’s motto is Strong Women, Strong Bonds. If we uphold our motto and the definition of sisterhood, we’re leading by example and leaving a legacy for our future sisters to follow. I would like to see our Suicide Awareness Week become a larger campus event and have more contact with our alumni. I want to know that the TMs will be a strong force on the Gustavus campus for years to come, while still maintaining great group of women with beautiful hearts. I think we’re pretty damn close.