BIG MONEY ON CAMPUS

The men of Big Man on Campus and the women of Zeta Tau Alpha joined forces for a headlining event to set a record for fund-raising, pulling in a total of nearly $100,000. Famous characters Luke Skywalker, Ron Burgundy and Joe Dirt appeared on the stage, played by fraternity members representing their chapters.\nOnly the balcony held unclaimed seats Friday evening at the IU Auditorium at ZTA's annual philanthropic all-male talent show. \nThe colossal turnout of both greek and non-greek students as well as alumni provided for the record funds -- $96,000 -- raised for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer foundation, ZTA's national philanthropy.\nAfter expenses, nearly $60,000 of the total will be donated to the cause. Mary Beth Kraft, junior and BMOC philanthropy chair choked up as she read the massive number aloud to the crowd.\n"We were floored," said Kraft of she and her co-chair, junior Brandy Wortinger. "Our goal was $50,000. Our chapter just keeps breaking our own record."\nLast year, the event raised $72,000 and contributed $38,000 in donations.\nLambda Chi Alpha's Logan Molnar claimed the BMOC title out of the 20 fraternity representatives who participated. Sam Bruffey, ZTA senior and BMOC judge, attributed Molnar's win primarily to his outstanding fund-raising efforts -- Molnar raised over $6,700 -- and also to his talent performance, which featured a 5-piece band.\nRegardless of the outcome, the other 19 men seemed to have a fulfilling experience.\nNearly all contestants had an ample cheering section in the forms of their fraternity brothers. Each time the men took the stage, members from their chapters were quick to their feet, bellowing loudly in support.\nSophomore Ray Vanlanot of Theta Chi -- who claimed third place for the evening -- said he "fed off the crowd" while he was on stage.\n"It was killer," he said. "I didn't think it would turn out this big."\nVanlanot's talent performance got the crowd excited. Like all male participants, Vanlanot portrayed a character from a movie in accordance with the evening's theme, "Lights, Camera, Action! Against Breast Cancer." He wore aviator sunglasses and an olive green flight suit to depict Tom Cruise's role in "Top Gun." He played the piano and crooned The Righteous Brothers' "You've Lost That Loving Feeling."\n"It's unfortunate Goose couldn't be here tonight to help me out with this," he said to the crowd.\nJunior Mike McSherry of Phi Kappa Psi masqueraded, to the delight of the crowd, as "Anchorman's" Ron Burgundy. \n"I'm on in 30 minutes? I'm on right now? I don't believe you," he said prior to singing a triad of pop songs including Goo Goo Dolls "Slide." McSherry took the evening's title of "Best Talent."\nThe other 18 men's talents ranged from Sigma Alpha Mu representative Dan Millner's Irish step dance to Delta Tau Delta contestant James Mitchell's saxophone piece.\nA question and answer session with the men entertained the audience as well. \nDustin Holland of Acacia answered his question as Buddy the elf, Will Ferrell's character in "Elf." He was asked to describe his favorite date. "December 25," he said with a huge smile.\nThough the show was largely lighthearted, to emphasize of the importance of breast cancer research and awareness breast cancer survivor Jessica Stevenson shared her cancer experience with the audience.\nStevenson was diagnosed with breast cancer in her early 30s, and was forced to undergo chemotherapy to remove the cancer that had spread to her lymph nodes. Even after the harsh treatments, Stevenson is now a healthy wife and mother.\n"It's a great reminder to the audience why they're there," Kraft said. "It was important to have her as part of the show"