Alpha Phi Alpha, Sigma Sigma Sigma and Tau Kappa Epsilon won the overall Greek Week awards for their participation in Greek Week events and spirit competition according to Rina Clarke, Greek Life adviser.”I believe that this Greek Week has brought out the spirit and passion in the members of our Greek community,” Clarke said. “It has truly been a learning and growing experience for all involved.”
Awards were given to the fraternity or sorority in each Greek council that excelled in leadership, community service, scholarship, spirit and Greek Week events. Alpha Phi Alpha won awards for scholarship, spirit and Greek Week events as well as being the overall Greek Week winner for the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC).
“As far as winning for academics, it’s all about constantly remembering the main reason why we’re here, which is academics,” Robert Brown, Alpha Phi Alpha president, said. “I thought Greek Week went pretty well. We’re always trying to interact and get to know other groups such as those in IFC (Interfraternity Council), NPHC and NPC (Panhellenic Council).”
Zeta Phi Beta won the NPHC’s community service award.
Sigma Sigma Sigma won NPC’s spirit award in addition to the overall Greek Week award. Lea Bonvillain, Sigma Sigma Sigma president, said this turned out to be one of her favorite Greek Weeks.
“Greek Week was very competitive among the three (NPC) sororities because we all were so close,” Bonvillain said. “It was one of my favorite years because of the competitiveness, and I am just really excited we won this award.”
Phi Mu won awards for leadership, community service, scholarship and Greek Week events. Also for the first time since 1993, Phi Mu won Song Fest.
“I’m very proud of our girls,” Kimberly Mayfield, Phi Mu president, said. “This semester we put forth more effort. Everyone worked together, and the girls were willing to work and designate more time for community service and leadership.”
Tau Kappa Epsilon won awards for overall Greek Week, community service, spirit and Greek Week events.
“The fraternity as a whole came together during Greek Week to prove that TKE is truly the No. 1 fraternity,” Jonathan Serigne, Tau Kappa Epsilon president, said. “It proves how dedication and brotherhood can show the campus that Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity is yet again the best at Nicholls.”
Sigma Alpha Epsilon won awards for leadership, scholarship and Song Fest.
“Considering it was our first year, to win Greek Cup and Song Fest says a lot about the men in our chapter,” David Vicknair, Sigma Alpha Epsilon president, said.
Sigma Alpha Epsilon was also determined to be the winners of the Greek Cup, which is the award for the IFC chapter excelling in scholarship, community service, leadership and athletics.
It was brought up to the IFC that Sigma Alpha Epsilon did not have an official charter until this semester. However, Clarke said there is confusion about whether Sigma Alpha Epsilon’s activities in the fall should have counted toward points for the Greek Cup.
“We are meeting on Friday regarding this situation,” Clarke said. “I am still researching who counts and what counts. It doesn’t seem to make any sense to me right now.”
Vicknair said he is not concerned about the arguments brought up that their activities from the fall should not have counted.
“We did pay dues in the fall and were associate members,” Vicknair said. “Under the IFC bylaws we are privy to all rights as associate members except voting. I’m not worried about the outcome changing as a result of this meeting.”
All the awards are based on a point system. The scholarship award is for the chapter with the highest GPA. The community service award honors the chapter with the most hours of community service during the year. The leadership award is based on the co-curricular transcripts of chapter members. The Greek Week events award is based on points the chapter receives from all events during the week. The overall Greek Week award is based on points from Greek Week events and spirit. The spirit award honors the chapter with the most members participating in each Greek Week event.
Members of fraternities and sororities also voted on this year’s Greek God and Goddess. Steve Escobar, Tau Kappa Epsilon member and business administration junior from Nicaragua, was elected Greek God; Kristen Turnage, Phi Mu member and mass communication sophomore from Metairie, was elected Greek Goddess.
Gerrod Galliano, Kappa Alpha Order member and business administration senior from Cut Off, was selected Greek Man of the Year. Bonvillain was selected Greek Woman of the Year.
Also during the week, the Greeks raised more than $2,300 to be donated to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
