Greek awards honor service

Cheers and screams erupted from the crowd as the Greek Assessment and Awards ceremony began.

This year, 17 awards were given to multiple individuals and chapters from the four greek councils — Interfraternity Council, Multi-Cultural Greek Council, National Pan-Hellenic Council and Panhellenic Association.

“We wanted GAAP 2014 to be truly student-led,” said Lierin Ehmke, Phi Mu member and host. “For this to happen, we wanted all the presenters today be representatives of our four greek councils.” 

Brandon Washington, Pan-Hellenic Council president and one of the emcees for the event, said the award ceremony represents community.

“We all get to come here under one roof, in one setting, in one time and we’re able to see what we’re all doing,” Washington said.

The Man of the Year award is given to three fraternity members who have stood out in their chapters, academically and in the community.

Sean Jordan, Jose Delgado and Tyler Kelley were this year’s recipients.

“It feels good that all the work you put in has finally paid off,” Kelley said. “One of the biggest things that I learned is it’s important to be involved in the chapter, but also to be involved in the community.”

Pi Kappa Phi alumna Phillip Summers, who died earlier this year, was honored with an interfraternity scholarship given in his name, said Lindsay Echols, senior assistant director for NPHC and MCGC.

The IFC adviser of the year award was also renamed in his memory.

Kelley said Summers thought mentoring was the most rewarding aspect of his greek experience.

Delta Sigma Theta, who began Cupcakes and Condoms as an event to educate students on safe sex, won the Chapter of Excellence award.

The award is given to a sorority or fraternity that exemplified all six pillars of excellence.

Sigma Lambda Upsilon, Sigma Phi Epsilon and Phi Mu were also awarded Chapter of Excellence.

“If you don’t know her, you’ve been living under a rock,” Monica Salazar said of senior Kimberly Lucht.

Lucht, a Phi Mu member, was awarded Unsung Hero is an excellence award given to individuals within fraternities and sororities. She also founded UNIFY IU.

“I feel pretty speechless, honestly,” Lucht said. “I didn’t expect to get some recognition tonight.”

Nick Hoke, Theta Chi member, Melissa Velazquez, Gamma Phi Omega member and Richard Dixon, Phi Theta member, were also awarded the Unsung Hero prize.

“It shows that when we come together as a community,” Lucht said. “We are so much better than what we would be as individuals or just a part of our chapter.”

Phi Mu as a chapter was awarded the PHA Chapter of Excellence award.

“It’s just nice to know that I’ve left my mark here,” Lucht said. “I’ve left my legacy.”