Phi Sig Sig, Beta named top houses

Phi Sigma Sigma and Beta Theta Pi were chosen as sorority and fraternity of the year, receiving the coveted Mediera Cup, at last night's Greek Awards Banquet. Beta's win was its second in three years. Last year, Acacia fraternity won the award. And Phi Sig Sig's honor breaks a string of two straight wins by Chi Omega sorority. Over 200 people, including members of the Greek community and University administrators, attended the banquet. Corre Stegall, past national president of Kappa Delta sorority, gave the keynote address, warning the audience that "23 colleges and universities have banned Greeks." "We can not tolerate drug use, alcohol abuse, Animal House behavior, and sexism," Stegall said. "You must refuse to tolerate hazing in your chapter . . . there can be no toleration of any sort of dehumanizing experiences. As a Greek you have a special responsibility to do your best." Acacia fraternity came away with a series of awards, including the Campus Leadership and Service Award, the Support for InterGreek Events Award, the Scholarship and Faculty Interaction Award, and the Chapter Management Award. Jim Rettew, president of the Interfraternity Council, said that an event on "pledge etiquette" in which pledges were taught how to "escort a lady, whether to eat shrimp in one or two bites, and what to do with food you drop" was one one of the factors considered in giving Acacia the Chapter Management Award. Randy Nepomuceno, an Acacia brother and president of the Order of Omega Honor Society, said he was pleased with his house's honors. "I'm very proud of the work we've done," Nepomuceno said. "We deserve the awards." Kappa Delta also won a number of awards. The sorority received the Campus Leadership and Service Award and the Support for InterGreek Award, and was first runner up in several other categories. **** CORRECTION: Delta Sigma Theta won the Campus Leadership and Service Award ****** "I'm really happy," said KD sister Heather Rosenblum. "We've come a long way." Tau Epsilon Phi fraternity and Phi Sig Sig won the Charitable Activities Award for organizing Stand Up Against Homelessness. Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity won the Community Leadership and Service Award for organizing Project Alpha. The Cohn Award for Community Service was awarded to five fraternities. TEP and Phi Sig Sig won an award for Stand Up Against Homelessness and Alpha Phi Alpha for COLORS in the Large Event category. In the Small Multiple Events category, Alpha Phi Alpha and Delta Sigma Theta sorority won. All five organizations will receive a monetary award as well as a trophy. Eric Apple, a member of Alpha Phi Alpha, said he was "very excited" about winning the award, which was given for the first time this year. "Our focus is community service," Apple said. "Ever since I've been on campus I've never seen an award like this." "I was especially happy with the Cohn Award," said Kathryn Williams, president of the Black Inter-Greek Council. "I was very happy that we won them all." The banquet ended with a slide show highlighting Greek events from the past year. Tricia Phaup, director of the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs, said the evening was a success. "The students had fun . . . the speaker was excellent. She had a strong message," she said.

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