Lansing - MSU greeks pulled out all the stops and threw a party too big for any house last week.
Representatives from MSU’s Panhellenic and Interfraternity councils joined members of the university’s greek system in Lansing for dinner, awards ceremony and celebration on Thursday at the Greek Excellence Awards Gala to wrap up the fall semester’s greek activities.
More than 300 members of MSU’s sororities and fraternities filled the banquet hall at the Lansing Center to acknowledge greek men’s and women’s achievements in academics, community service and philanthropy.
This years gathering marks the first time the Greek Gala and Presidents’ Ball, to honor chapter leaders, were combined into one event, said Kate Luick, president of the MSU’s Sigma Kappa chapter.
Rachel Kuchar, an executive vice president of the Panhellenic Council, said the awards gala exemplifies academics, community and greek relations.
“The main reason we are here is to award these chapters and these people who have done excellent things,” the social relations senior said. “It’s to honor those chapters that do a great job at what they do”
As greek representatives finished dinner, members of the Panhellenic and Interfraternity councils members handed out awards in areas such as community service, fund raising and social responsibility.
Jay Palmer, president of MSU’s Alpha Sigma Phi chapter said most people don’t realize community service is a large part of what greeks do.
“We do a lot of philanthropy for K-9 Companions for Independence and we work with the elderly around here,” the supply chain management senior said.
“Whenever we have these events, I am happy that the greek system can come together. People think that we have fights and don’t get along, but the truth is these nights show that we are a cohesive group.”
Luick, who was awarded Greek Academic Woman of the Year, said the Panhellenic Council did an incredible job in leadership.
“It is such a great honor to receive this award,” the communication senior said.
Luick said the greek system is seen as a social entity despite what it does in the community.
“We balance academics, social responsibility, philanthropy and sisterhood,” she said.
Sigma Kappa also took home the award for Social Responsibility and Risk Management and second highest grade point average in the Panhellenic Council.
The evening’s highlight was the Greek Man and Woman of the Year awards. This year, the award for Greek Man of the Year was split between Michael Pirret of Pi Kappa Alpha and Josh Tudor of Psi Upsilon.
Kristy Tippen of Gamma Phi Beta and Panhellenic Council President claimed Greek Woman of the year.
