Donning suits and formal dresses, about 300 fraternity and sorority members gathered in the Michigan Union ballroom last night, eagerly awaiting the announcements of who would win the annual Greek Life awards.
The 28th annual Greek Life award ceremony honors dozens of men and women in the Greek community on campus. The awards also honor whole chapters for a successful year of participation, philanthropy and accomplishments in various fields. The awards cover an assortment of achievement awards, scholarships and leadership recognitions — among them the Greek Man and Greek Woman of the Year.
Angela Harris, national vice president of Alpha Chi Omega, was this year’s keynote speaker. She emphasized the value of participation in the Greek community, saying Greek Life at the University excels in the majority of its endeavors.
“I venture to say that we define success based on participation about 98 percent of the time,” Harris said. “I’ve always believed that this campus, University of Michigan, is the perfect fit for … radical, out-of-the-box thinking in terms of the Greek experience.”
This year’s ceremony also commemorated the achievements of Chris Haughee, the assistant director of the University’s Office of Greek Life. Haughee has worked with the University Greek community for six years and will be stepping down from the position in June. Mary Beth Seiler, the director of Greek Life at the University, said Haughee was a great contributor to the Greek community and will be greatly missed.
“I have been privileged to work with someone who has demonstrated qualities for which we should all strive — a strong work ethic and integrity,” Seiler said. “Living the bounds of Greek life and being accountable for one’s actions are messages that we have all heard from Chris on a regular basis.”
The Greek Woman of the Year award was given to LSA senior Katie Rosenberg, a member of the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority. Rosenberg served as president of the University’s chapter of her sorority and was president of the Panhellenic Association at the University last year. Rosenberg was lauded for philanthropy and public good efforts. Among Rosenberg’s accomplishments is her work to improve Greek chapter academics, campus safety and off-campus lighting.
In an interview after the ceremony, Rosenberg, who will be teaching in New Jersey next year for Teach For America, said she is excited and honored to win the award.
“It’s been the culmination of a long time at the University and a lot of time with Greek life,” Rosenberg said.
LSA senior Matt Francis, a member of Delta Tau Delta fraternity, was honored as Greek Man of the Year. He was recognized for his humility, responsibility, work ethic and leadership.
In an interview after the event, Francis said his award was “completely unexpected” and that there are a number of other fraternity members deserving of the award.
The ceremony also celebrated the work of Scott Ellsworth, a lecturer in the Afroamerican and African studies Department at the University, by giving him the Professor Award for his positive influence on the Greek community.
Other honors included awards for alumni, campus involvement, new members, recruitment, programming and scholastic achievement.
In an interview before the ceremony, Seiler said she is excited about what the Greek community has accomplished this year.
“There have been a lot of successes, but there are challenges every year as well,” she said. “This night is one of the most fun events because these are the individuals I know, the chapters I know, and I’m so proud of what they’ve done. It’s so great to see them be recognized.”