Greek Awards honor academic, philanthropic accomplishments

On Thursday, the Penn’s Greek community came together to celebrate the accomplishments of the past year at the annual Greek Awards.

“The awards are really nice because it brings the whole community together, and we get to recognize each other and what each chapter has accomplished,” College junior and Sigma Delta Tau President Lindsay Nadkarni said.

The Greek Awards, hosted by the Office of Student Affairs/Fraternity Sorority Life, was held at the Sheraton University City hotel. Individual students, Greek organizations and faculty members were all honored at the ceremony.

Representatives from the Panhellenic Council, the Interfraternity Council and the Multicultural Greek Council were on hand to show their support of the fraternities and sororities that received recognition throughout the evening.

The awards honored students who “went above and beyond as a member of their house, as a student or as a philanthropist,” Wharton junior and IFC President Harris Heyer said.

“It’s a great opportunity for all Greek members from all the organizations to be honored for the work that they do,” College junior and Panhel President Rachel Abeles said.

The ceremony also served to recall academics, community service and outreach events that Penn’s Greek community engaged in this year.

College senior and Vice President of MGC Khaliff Davis said he was excited to hear what the Greek community has been doing for the Philadelphia area over the last year.

“[The awards] give you motivation for next year — to work harder and go above and beyond,” he added.

During the celebration, the IFC reported that the average GPAs at 14 fraternity chapters were higher than the average male’s GPA at Penn and that 17 chapters had a higher average GPA than the average GPA among underclassmen.

College senior and outgoing Panhel Executive Vice President Brooke Patkin discussed Panhel’s newly formed partnership with Penn Athletics to foster school spirit.

She also highlighted that the turnout for sorority rush this year was higher than in past years.

Director of OSA/FSL Scott Reikofski reported that 980 new members joined the Greek community during this past year. There are now 3,267 members in Penn’s Greek community.

“It’s a great experience for all of us to be in the same room together and celebrate the common values and ideals that make the Greek community what it is at Penn,” Wharton and College junior and Phi Delta Theta President Daniel Urdaneta said.

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