The IU Auditorium was filled with students, parents and alumni Friday night to support Zeta Tau Alpha’s national philanthropy.
IU’s Big Man on Campus is the largest greek philanthropy in the country, ZTA Philanthropy Chair Molly Myerson said.
In the past four years, the IU chapter has raised more than $700,000 for breast cancer research and awareness, according to its ?website.
Zeta Tau Alpha works year-round to organize the philanthropic talent show. Fraternities select a representative to perform for a chance to be crowned Big Man on Campus
“The biggest thing I want people to take away from BMOC is that it’s a group of 126 19- to- 22-year-old girls who are giving back to the community,” Myerson said. “Going to IU, we’re all so privileged that sometimes people get caught up in the whole social scene or school, but there’s always something more that you can give back to the world.”
To exceed their fundraising goal of $200,000, the women of ZTA sent out about 6,000 fundraising letters, canned and hosted percentage nights at local restaurants, Myerson said.
The donations from Big Man on Campus are split between research and awareness causes.
Each year four to five doctors send ZTA research proposals. This year Dr. Milan Radovich from the IU School of Medicine will be awarded funding for his research toward fighting chemotherapy resistance in triple-negative breast cancer patients, Myerson said.
The other half of the money will pay for pink ribbons to raise awareness through the NFL Pink Ribbon Project, Myerson said.
The NFL Pink Ribbon Project sponsors A Crucial Catch day in partnership with the American Cancer Society to stress the ?importance of annual breast examinations.
“I think expanding it outside of the greek community or the college community to more adults will get those people to check themselves,” Myerson said.
This year Big Man on Campus stretched outside of the greek community with participants from Evan Scholars and independent students in addition to the representatives from 23 fraternity chapters. The participants formed a bond after meeting every Monday, Delta Sigma Phi senior Collin Pfender said.
“It’s sometimes hard to be in the greater family when you’re with your brotherhood or your sisterhood all the time,” Pfender said. “It’s really been the social aspect (of BMOC) to see everyone together doing something that’s positive for a change.”
The Big Man on Campus men were expected to raise money through ticket and T-shirt sales. Sorority sisters volunteered as coaches to help boost morale, strategize fundraising and advise the men with their acts.
The event showcased a variety of talent such as group dances, electric ukulele performances, original raps and ribbon dancing.
Before the second act, Zeta Tau Alpha honored their late member Kelly Hackendahl with a tribute video. Families also honored breast cancer patients outside of the IU Auditorium with candle luminaries.
The final awards ceremony celebrated the most philanthropic contributor as well as crowd favorites, Zeta Sweetheart and the best performance.
Sigma Phi Epsilon won best act for their renditions of Usher and One Direction songs. Phi Gamma Delta won people’s choice as voted by the audience.
The title of Big Man on Campus was awarded to Matt Vallortigara from Phi Sigma Kappa. Vallortigara also won the largest philanthropic contribution with $11,578 raised.
“A slogan I’ve been telling the girls the whole time is ‘You can never be all full,’” Myerson said. “What I mean by that is that you can never be all full of giving back.”
