Mathews Publishes Book on Fraternities and Sororities
The book explores the complicated world of Greek life through English professor Jana Mathews’ own experience as a faculty advisor for a sorority.
By Stephanie Rizzo ’09
October 28, 2022
English professor Jana Mathews has published The Benefits of Friends: Inside the Complicated World of Today’s Fraternities and Sororities to great acclaim.
The book describes how Mathews joined the National Panhellenic Society as a faculty advisor in a bid to connect with her students. For the next seven years, she attended sorority and fraternity chapter meetings, Greek Week competitions, leadership retreats, and mixers and formals. What she discovered was a complicated world of social hierarchy and peer influence.
Combining her personal observations with ethnographic field analysis and research culled from the fields of sociology, economics, and cognitive psychology, Mathews examines how Greek-letter organizations help reshape the conceptual boundaries of society’s most foundational relationship categories—including friend, romantic partner, and family.
Since its release in September, Mathews has written think pieces exploring the book’s topics for leading publications like Slate and The Chronicle of Higher Education.
Recent Stories
August 19, 2026
The Princeton Review Recognizes Rollins Among Nation’s Best Colleges
Rollins has been ranked one of the nation’s best 392 colleges by The Princeton Review and has landed among the top 25 in 11 additional categories.
August 18, 2026
Political Science Professor Discusses Primaries and Independent Voters
As Florida voters participate in primary elections, Rollins College Assistant Professor of Political Science Patrick Rickert said the state’s closed primary system leaves a growing share of voters without a voice in many key contests.
August 18, 2026
FOX 35 Showcases Rollins College Move-In Day Live
FOX 35 Good Day Orlando anchor and Rollins alumna Stephanie Rivas broadcast live from Rollins on move-in day.