Panhel wins recognition for scholarship, service

The sororities of Penn's panhellenic Council won a prestigious national award for general excellence. The award -- which is based on scholarship, membership education, inter-sorority activities, inter-Greek activities, community service and recruitment techniques -- is given every two years to three universities, one from each of three categories based on size. "We're extremely pleased that this Panhellenic Conference won this award," James said. "We appreciate the process that they went through to apply for this award." With eight chapters, Penn fell into the midsize category, and was deemed the best of 30 other applicants in the same category. Penn Panhel officials will receive the award in October at a national conference in Tampa, Fla. "I have known all along that Panhel has done great work, but it is really nice to be recognized," said Panhel President Becca Iverson, a College senior and Chi Omega sister. "It's great for the women of Penn to know that their Panhel of 1,200 women is first-rate." Though scholarship is not the only criterion for the honor, it played a significant role in Penn's acquisition of the award. In the spring of 1999, Panhel's average GPA was 3.37, compared to a 3.27 all-student average, a 3.24 all-Greek average and a 3.28 non-Greek average. Penn's Panhel has been placed on a national academic honor roll for an above-average GPA several times in recent semesters. Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs Director Scott Reikofski said he attributes Panhel's consistently above-average GPA to the sorority sisters' high academic priorities. "Research across the board has found that women who have a same-sex environment feel they have more support and more empowerment to do well," Reikofski said, adding that there is pressure within the groups to perform well in and out of the classroom. Long a supporter of the University's female Greek life, Vice Provost of University Life Valarie Swain-Cade McCoullum said she was thrilled Penn won the award. "[Penn's Panhel members] exemplify and amplify this commitment to intellectual rigor and the life of the mind in every aspect of their programming," she said, noting that Panhel has extended its commitment to academic excellence to numerous partnership programs with West Philadelphia students. Other Panhel outreach programs have included a clothing drive last spring and the annual "Dine Out for Charity" -- a program through which local food establishments donate 10 percent of members' bills to Panhel's philanthropy, Women Against Abuse, a Philadelphia-based organization. Panhel Executive Vice President Dina Penny, a College senior and Alpha Chi Omega sister, noted that Panhel's commitment to outreach programs is continuing this semester with a number of events, including a 5K run on Halloween for breast cancer awareness.