Board inducted at Panhel ceremony

After what leaders described as a "remarkable" year for the largest women's organization on campus, the Panhellenic Council Executive Board handed over the gavel to its new board last night at Panhel's annual Circle of Sisters ceremony. Pledges, sisters and officers from each of the eight sororities filled Meyerson Hall to witness the event. The assembly also marked the official induction of pledges into Greek life after 1 1/2 weeks of exposure to pledging. Outgoing Panhel President Janelle Brodsky explained the roles the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs and Panhel will play in pledges' college careers. "Tonight you become? tied to more than 1,200 other Greek women at the University of Pennsylvania," said Brodsky, a College and Engineering senior. She added that with a Panhel grade point average of 3.4, "you walk out as a cum laude." Brodsky then introduced OFSA Director Scott Reikofski and Vice Provost for University Life Valarie Swain-Cade McCoullum as the evening's featured speakers. Reikofski praised Panhel as "one of the top resources for women's fraternities in the country." McCoullum-- a Delta Sigma Theta sister in her undergraduate days -- joked that every year she speaks at the Circle of Sisters, her children seem to give her another grandchild. This year, she had a new granddaughter whom she said will hopefully join Panhel. The outgoing executive board bestowed symbolic gifts upon the incoming board members, along with their new responsibilities. For example, outgoing Executive Vice President Elisabeth Bernard, a College senior and Sigma Delta Tau sister, gave incoming EVP Dina Penny, a College junior and Alpha Chi Omega sister, an evergreen. Bernard said the "evergreen tree never dies," thus representing the "everlasting" strength of the thousands of pine needles and the hundreds of Panhel individuals. The ceremony concluded when the new members recited the Panhellenic pledge followed by the Greek Responsibility Statement. "We hope that you enjoy the rest of your time at Penn as a Greek woman," Brodsky said to close the ceremony.

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