Dani Brune '96 is trying to reach out to all the women on campus.
"What I like about the sororities at Dartmouth is that they are only one aspect of your life, not the only thing," Brune said.
"The women I have met as a member of the sorority system have enriched my Dartmouth experience."
Brune, the recently-elected president of the Panhellenic Council, said she is constantly working to improve the sorority system at Dartmouth.
Panhell is the self-governing body of the College's sororities.
Brune previously served as Panhell president during her sophomore summer. During that time, Brune worked with Panhell members to organize and publish the Panhellenic Council Rush book.
"I had been waiting for that book for six years and this woman comes and with the help of one other student decides to write it. I knew then that she would be a leader," said Deb Reinders, assistant dean of residential life.
Brune has continued to play an active role in the Greek system since sophomore summer.
But Brune shrugged when she considered the possibility that she has become a campus politician.
"I do consider myself a facilitator," she said. "I want to use that position to improve a group of organizations that have a lot to contribute to women at Dartmouth."
Brune said she wants to improve the relationship of the Greek system and the administration.
"The administration has a legitimate concern in making Dartmouth a strong institution," she said. "What we are trying to do is show them that the Greek system can be a beneficial part of the community."
Brune said she has a number of projects planned to improve Panhell. The organization will try to fix the problems of unequally sized pledge classes in this year's rush process. Two ideas she said the group is considering are computerized rush and the addition of a new sorority house.
Brune, an anthropology major, grew up in Midland, Texas., which she said is a very different place than Dartmouth.
"When I came here I thought it only got this cold in Alaska," Brune said.
A kindergarten teacher once told Brune's mother not push her, because Brune would never be as smart as her sister.
But Brune never lived up to the negative predictions of her teacher and wound up at Dartmouth.
Brune said the name "Dani" came from her father.
"My dad wanted a boy so he called me Dani," she said. "He would play volleyball and basketball and before every University of Houston home game I would buy a new red pen to keep score in the program."
"I am kind of a tomboy," she added with a smile.
Brune said she first learned about sorority life from her sister and mother, who were both in sororities.
"My view of the sororities was largely that of the large southern universities," she said. "When I came here I didn't know if I would rush or not."
Brune said she found the sorority system at Dartmouth to be different than southern sororities.
Ryan Carey '96, a friend of Brune's, said people should be careful not classify Brune.
He said it is misguided to assume that Dani is a conservative stereotype.
"She is aware that people consider her conservative and that has made her want to change their opinions about her and the entire system," Carey said.
Carey said part of the reason people think Dani is conservative is due to her optimistic view of life.
"At the college people think if you are happy you are not thinking about things," Carey said.
Other students also have a high opinion of Brune.
"I think Dani is a great leader for Panhell because she has a commitment to the sorority system, its needs and interests and how it affects the campus," said Jim Brennan '96, a friend of Brune's.
