Daily Collegian Story - Oscars honor greek community 'stars'
By Sarah Goldfarb - Collegian Staff Writer as Printed in the Daily Collegian on April 19, 2005
Oscars honor greek community 'stars'
There was no red carpet, miniature gold men or famous celebrities at the 11th annual Greek Oscars, but stars were honored within the greek community last night.
About 200 people attended the awards ceremony at the Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel to celebrate this past year's accomplishments.
"Everyone has worked extremely hard this past year," Vice President of Student Affairs Vicky Triponey said. "This awards ceremony reminded me what we look like at our best."
The Greek Pride Award, which was started last year, was awarded to four members chosen by the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life.
Lorena Regus, former Multicultural Greek Council (MGC) president, was a recipient of the award because of her efforts to involve MGC in greek week.
"I feel very flattered to receive this award," she said. "I have dedicated a lot of my time promoting the council. It feels great to be honored for it."
Each of the four governing councils awarded a chapter of the year prize.
Alpha Delta Pi sorority received the award from the Panhellenic Council.
"We won it last year, as well," Alpha Delta Pi President Andrea Jacono said. "There are so many amazing sororities on this campus. Our girls have been working hard for years, we deserve this award."
The prestigious award of Greek Man/Greek Woman of the Year was given to Brian Bertges, Interfraternity Council president, and Tahiirah Allen, National Pan-Hellenic Council president.
"[Bertges] has bettered his chapter and his governing council," said Nathan Leopard, assistant director of the office of fraternity and sorority life.
"He has had an active voice in the greek pride movement," Leopard added.
The Chapter Academic Achievement Award was given to Alpha Omicron Pi sorority and Theta Chi fraternity, 523 S. Allen St.
Both chapters have succeeded academically, with Theta Chi having a 3.8 GPA and 49 of Alpha Omicron Pi's sorority members making the Dean's List.
"We've been in the top three academic chapters for years," Alpha Omicron Pi President Stacey Shapiro said. "It is something we pride ourselves on, and we reach to achieve this award every year."
Triponey presented three ambitious chapter presidents with awards.
Randy Winder, of Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity Inc., Michael Lorber, of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity, 319 N. Burrowes Rd., and Rebecca Allen of Gamma Phi Beta sorority, were all honored for their hard work.
"These leaders all have ambitious dreams," Triponey said. "They have dedicated much of their time to their chapters, and the hard work has paid off."
As a closing remark, Panhellenic President Colleen Briley congratulated the recipients of awards. "Everyone has succeeded tremendously," she said. "I look at all of you and it makes me proud of the greek system at Penn State."
