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MU'S IN THE
NEWS
(ORLANDO, FL) On Monday night, the Live Oak Ballroom was filled with
the soulful sounds of John Coltrane, tables adorned with black and gold
centerpieces and members of UCF's 44 Greek communities dressed for success,
all for the Annual Greek Awards Ceremony.
The event is designed to recognize students and chapters for their dedication
and hard work throughout the past year. Alpha Delta Pi received the
night's top honor as Chapter of the Year.
Kara Carnley of Kappa Delta was named Greek Woman of the Year. She said
she was surprised to receive the award and proud to be nominated by
her chapter for the award.
"I was very honored to even be considered for such an award,"
she said. Carnley has been a member of her sorority since fall 2003
and said she has always held one of the organization's various chair
positions. Most recently, she chaired the annual Kappa Delta Shamrock
5K Run/Walk that benefited Prevent Child Abuse America.
Trent Scott of Alpha Tau Omega was announced Greek Man of the Year.
Kari Floyd of Kappa Delta was given the Outstanding Senior of the Year
Award. Natalie Parcell of Kappa Alpha Theta received the Greek Athlete
of the Year Award. Ashley Conyers was named New Member of the Year,
and Alpha Delta Pi's Morgan Cyphers received the Greek Campus Leader
of the Year Award.
The award for the most outstanding risk management program went to Kappa
Delta. Chapter president Jeri Rhoads said the sorority's approach is
proactive.
"We try to take care of problem before they arise," she said.
One of the sorority's management programs, Double or Nothing, is designed
to prevent underage drinking by members of the sorority. Before departing
for a party or social function, the sorority places a wristband on every
member 21 or older. Once they reach the club or party, members are of
legal drinking age receive a second wristband.
Spaulding said the sorority collaborates with the management of the
venues they attend to ensure that the program is enforced. She said
they learned about the program and how to make it effective from other
chapters throughout the country.
"We're really proud of receiving this award," she said. "We're
so excited." She said that they know there is a preconceived image
of Greeks when they go out to nightclubs, but they try to be well behaved
and maintain a positive image.
Alpha Tau Omega received the Outstanding Community Service Award. The
Outstanding New Member Program Award went to Kappa Alpha Theta, and
Alpha Delta Pi received the Outstanding Scholarship Program Award.
Mu Sigma Upsilon received the Outstanding Diversity Initiatives
Programming Award.
"The chapter is very excited because we are a smaller organization
compared to mainstream organizations that have a lot of members,"
Chapter president Nicole Spaulding said.
She said one of the programs the sorority hosts annually nationally
as well as locally is RACE, Recognizing and Celebrating Ethnicity.
"We have foods from different cultures and sisters dress in clothing
from various countries," Spaulding said. "We have performances
and music from different cultures." The event is open to UCF and
surrounding communities.
The sorority was also recognized as the most improved GPA among female
Greeks.
"We focused on grades a lot this year," Spaulding said. "We're
here for school. Therefore, that was our main focus." She said
the sorority formed study groups based on the colleges that older sisters
were in so that they could offer academic assistance to new members
of the chapter. A point system with first- and second-place prizes was
also designed to provide incentives for members to do well.
Delta Tau Delta received recognition for both the highest GPA and most
improved GPA among male Greeks. Alpha Delta Pi had the high GPA among
female Greeks.
Many chapters were also recognized for having average GPAs higher than
the average of all men and women at the university.
(Article taken from the Central Florida Future)
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