Panhel's 1995-96 board receives top honors

The former executive board received several awards at a Northeast regional conference this weekend. The University's 1995-96 Panhellenic Council received awards for scholarship, public relations, programming and overall excellence at a Northeast regional conference in Pittsburgh this weekend. Members of the former executive board prepared packets illustrating their work last year, said former Panhel Treasurer Karissa Kruse, a Wharton senior and Alpha Chi Omega. Panhel Vice President for Rush Jen Wigman -- a College junior and Chi Omega sister -- explained that competition was divided into categories based on school population size. "You never expect to win a lot of awards, but we definitely positioned ourselves well," Kruse said. But Kruse's successor, College junior Mary Woland, was more optimistic about the organizations' chances at the event. "We thought we had a pretty good chance of winning," the Chi Omega sister said. "Other schools just don't have the capacities and resources." And former Panhel President Jessica Schreck -- a College senior and Sigma Delta Tau sister -- said she was "not surprised, because we really are a nation-leading Panhellenic." But she added that it is "really so frustrating" that Panhel's programs are often overlooked, and that she had been worried the National Panhellenic Council would not fully appreciate the University's initiatives. The women received the Gamma Phi Beta award for outstanding programming for planning this fall's Breast Health Fair. Panhel members said the event's success -- and the publication of the 21st Century Report -- put them in the running for the other awards. The Breast Health Fair -- which was cosponsored by Panhel and Self magazine -- allowed students to watch a video featuring 1989 University graduate and 20-20 reporter Geralyn Lucas' experiences with breast cancer. Students at the fair could attend two self-examination seminars or pick up pamphlets from the Facilitating Learning About Sexual Health group and the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania's Women's Health Service. Self editor Rochelle Udell labeled the event as a "pilot program" which would travel to other schools. In addition to the award ceremonies this past weekend, the Greek leaders also attended training conferences on dealing with administrators, the community and the press. Panhel Vice President for Publicity Beth Linn said she enjoyed the seminars, adding that they taught the students how to apply their leadership skills in the workplace. "It was nice that they made that segue into the career world," the College junior and Delta Delta Delta sister said. Panhel Vice President Bethany Rubin -- a College junior and Pi Beta Phi sister -- said the new executive board members were "really pleased" with the precedents established by the previous board. And Linn added that Panhel is "going to try [to] capitalize on the fact that we're the largest women's organization on campus." InterFraternity Council President Matt Baker -- who also attended the conference -- said he expects the University's fraternities to file an application packet next year.