Awards recognize members

Kappa Alpha Theta, Pi Kappa Phi and Alpha Phi Alpha were recognized Thursday as IU's top greek chapters.\nThe Interfraternity Council, the Panhellenic Association, the Multicultural Greek Council and the IU Pan-Hellenic Council came together to recognize the achievements of last year's greek community in the annual Greek Awards Ceremony at Alumni Hall in the Indiana Memorial Union.\nWith about 600 people in attendance, the four greek councils presented more than 20 awards to various individuals and chapters based on their leadership, dedication and commitment to the greek community. \n"Chapter of the Year" was given to Pi Kappa Phi for the Interfraternity Council, Kappa Alpha Theta for the Panhellenic Association and Alpha Phi Alpha for the IU Pan-Hellenic Council. \nSenior Kyle Longest, president of Pi Kappa Phi, was named "Greek Man of the Year" and senior Jill Williams of Alpha Chi Omega received the "Greek Woman of the Year" award.\nFormer IU trustee and IU quarterback Harry L. Gonso addressed the audience as the keynote speaker. Gonso spoke of fond memories of his life at IU as part of Sigma Alpha Epsilon. He said he valued his experience in the greek community because of the lifelong friends he made.\n"You have come to know yourself" with the help of the greek community, Gonso said during his speech. \nStan Sweeney, associate director of student activities for greek affairs and presenter at the Greek Awards Ceremony, was also honored with the "Distinguished Service Award" for his commitment to the greek community.\n"I'm really excited about the award," Sweeney said.\nSweeney was also directly involved with the development of the Herman B Wells Greek Education Fund, which was announced at the ceremony. The fund will provide scholarships and money for programs for members of fraternities and sororities.\nThe education fund was presented in a simplistic way that Wells would have been proud of, said Jim Gibson, assistant dean of students and director of student activities.\n"An evening like this is one that Wells would have cherished," Gibson said. \nAlong with the excitement that came with each award that was presented, the increase in attendance added to all the hype. Last year, only about 100 people attended, while 600 people filed into Alumni Hall this year. Like last year, there was a limit of 10 tickets per chapter. But this year, a waitlist was established to allow chapters to fulfill requests for additional tickets.\n"It's the best awards ceremony yet," said senior Christina Minghine, vice president of membership development for the Panhellenic Association and member of the Greek Awards Committee.\nEven with the success of this event, Aaron Krudwig, graduate student and advisor of the Greek Awards Committee, can see room for improvement for the following awards ceremonies.\n"I would like to see the entire greek community come to this," Krudwig said.\nEven though the committee members can see some things they would like to change, the improvement in attendance means they are on the right track, said junior Damien Patel, member of the Greek Awards Committee.\n"We went way above and beyond our expectations," Patel said.\nThe members who received awards also found the experience inspirational, said Jason Lee, junior and president of Alpha Phi Alpha, which stole the show, winning more than eight awards.\n"We are already talking about new programs that we can do," Lee said.