Awards spotlight greek community

Members of the greek community congregated in Alumni Hall Monday night to celebrate the outstanding achievements of various fraternity and sorority chapters.\nThe Greek Awards Ceremony honors the good the greek community does for the campus and the Bloomington community, said Panhellenic Association Vice President of Greek Awards and senior Amanda Atkinson.\nApplications were made available in March and were due earlier this semester to be judged by faculty and professors at IU, said Interfraternity Council Executive Vice President of Operations and senior Mat Leanderson. Applicants were also judged from agencies outside of Indiana, he said.\nLeanderson said he believes the greek awards are an essential part of greek life.\n"I think it is important because we do so much during the year," Leanderson said. "The greek awards are our chance to recognize the good that people and chapters do. It is a time for us to come together, have fun and give out awards."\nLast year, Alpha Sigma Phi won chapter of the year, said fraternity president and senior John Thephasdin. He said the awards given out encourage other chapters and individuals to strive to achieve excellence in the future.\n"I think any time you recognize a group of individuals for doing something good, it makes them more apt to do more in the future," Thephasdin said.\nSince winning the award, Alpha Sigma Phi has worked hard to incorporate other chapters in events involving philanthropy and education.\nThe ceremony also helps shake the negative connotations that are often cast on the greek community, said PHA Vice President of Academics and junior Jenna Gettelfinger.\n"Many times people outside the greek community think we just party," Gettelfinger said. "However, the greek community is very philanthropic and does a lot of good for the community."\n-- Contact staff writer Maggie Bozich at mbozich@indiana.edu.