Four Greek chapters host Fall Kickoff Color Run

After a three year hiatus, Alpha Gamma Delta, Theta Chi, Zeta Tau Alpha and Sigma Phi Epsilon’s fall Kickoff Color Run made a vibrant return on Sept. 4. 

Participants ran from Sayre Park to the front lawn throwing colored powder into the air.

The four chapters donated the profits raised during the event to the Hispanic Center of the Lehigh Valley.

Jesse Coulter, ‘25, a member of Sig Ep, said members of the Greek organizations wanted to raise money for a cause that is near the school and important to the community — plus many of the members have already worked with the Hispanic Center. 

Kate Brown, ‘24, a member of Zeta, helped organize the event. Brown said the four chapters wanted to collaborate on the event to help attract a larger crowd of participants and make the run more fun.

Color Run participants get splattered in paint as they finish the race. The Color Run started at Lehigh’s Sayre Park and ended at the Front Lawn. (Chrissy DiBrigida/BW Staff)

“The Color Run is something different than what we usually do,” Brown said. “Instead of just sitting on the front lawn and raising money or selling something, we came up with an idea that allowed everyone in the university to participate.” 

Before the event, Coulter said he was most looking forward to seeing everyone covered in colors at the end of the run. 

“I was in charge of coordinating with the campus advisory group and LUPD, along with getting permission for things like the color powder and the route we used,” Coulter said. “I also coordinated all of the meetings between our team and the Lehigh faculty who were helping us.”

Eighty people ran the colorful path, but Brandon Smeltz, ‘25, came in first. Smeltz, a member of Sig Ep, said he was happy to participate in this event. 

Lauren Paolucci, ‘25, a member of Alpha Gam, was involved in advertising the color run. She said she helped create the promotional fliers and worked with members of the other chapters to spread the word and increase participation. 

Paolucci said she was eager to promote this event, especially because it meant she could continue her work with the Hispanic Center. 

“We go to the Hispanic Center every Friday,” Paolucci said. “Our chapter’s focus is fighting hunger so we work closely with them. We help sort the food and prepare for people to come to the food pantry, so I was excited to work with them for this event.” 

Coulter said members of each of the four chapters were proud to bring the Hispanic Center’s messages of collaboration and awareness to Lehigh’s campus.

Color Run participants get splattered in paint as they finish the race. The Color Run started at Lehigh’s Sayre Park and ended at the Front Lawn. (Chrissy DiBrigida/BW Staff)

Brown said each of the chapters will continue to host philanthropy events throughout the semester. During the first week of October, Zeta will be hosting events to increase awareness and education about breast cancer.

According to Zeta’s website, Think Pink is the umbrella theme for all breast cancer education and awareness projects that members work on. On a national level, Zeta partners with the American Cancer Society, National Football League and the Bright Pink organization to fight against breast cancer.

All four chapters are looking forward to hosting the event again next fall, Brown said.