Several Ohio Northern University sorority and fraternity chapters and its members have recently earned recognition for their accomplishments and have participated in national events.
Greek life at ONU serves an important role in helping many students connect on campus as well as adding to the college experience and preparing them for their future pursuits.
“Greek life at Ohio Northern adds the opportunity for students to find a small niche of brothers and sisters who encourage growth and development,” said Nicole Hamilton, assistant director of student involvement at ONU. “It also provides a safe structure in which students feel comfortable going out on a limb to try something new. Going out of their comfort zone might be different for each person, from tackling a leadership position to having the flexibility and support to be innovative and develop new community programming.”
“Also, participation in a Greek organization can help students develop qualities and soft skills that will benefit them in their academic and professional careers, such as leadership, teamwork and joining with others of various perspectives toward a common goal.”
There are five fraternities and four sororities at ONU, with 464 students participating in Greek life for the 2016-17 academic year.
Some of the recent accomplishments of ONU Greek organizations include:
· Four Alpha Xi Delta members participated in national conferences. Kristina Sarris and Emma Schutt attended “The Workout,” which taught effective recruitment skills. Michelle Haver and Julia Pinciotti attended “The Founders' Academy” to learn about leadership and individual strengths as leaders. Alpha Xi Delta was also honored with the following awards: Alpha Level Undergraduate Giving Challenge Chapter, Second Place for the Greatest Recruitment Impression Award, the Buskirk New Member Award for fall 2015 and the Financial Efficiency Award.
· Olivia Dinsmore and Mary Evans attended the Delta Zeta national conference in Orlando, Fla.
· Several members and advisors of Phi Mu Delta (David Smittle, Dr. Karen Kier, Dr. Tom Kier, Marc Snodgrass, Habib Mohammad, Nick DePeel, Zach Bragg and Connor Ney) participated in Phi Mu Delta’s National Conclave. Karen Kier was named Advisor of the Year. DePeel was awarded Chapter President of the Year. Ney was awarded Member of the Year. The chapter received awards for outstanding membership growth and most improved chapter.
· Megan Bishop, president of Kappa Alpha Theta, attended the national Kappa Alpha Theta Biennial Conference. The chapter was recognized and awarded as the runner-up of the Panhellenic Excellence Award.
· Zeta Tau Alpha was recognized as a crown chapter for excellence in activities, finances, fraternity operations, membership and programming.
· Theta Chi advisor Brit Rowe and member Jacob Byczynski attended the Theta Chi convention. Rowe was awarded with the David E. DeVol Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service to the Fraternity at the Local, Regional or International Level. The chapter was awarded the Chapter Excellence Award in Community Service, Philanthropy and Social Programming.
· Joe French from Phi Gamma Delta (FIJI) participated in FIJI’s inaugural Leadership Institute at the International Headquarters in Lexington, Ky. As a part of the institute, French participated in community service activities with brothers from across the country. Also, members Nolan Gill, AJ Weisbrod and Jackson Pitts, as well as adviser Dean Altstaetter, attended Ekklesia in Boston, Mass., in August. The chapter was recognized with a certificate of academic achievement (second consecutive year of exceeding the all men’s GPA). Finally, FIJI sent Drew Ridgeway and Josh Herd to Recruitment Boot Camp.
· Nicole Hamilton, assistant director of student involvement, served as a small group facilitator at the Undergraduate Interfraternity Institute, sponsored by the North American Interfraternity Conference, in Bloomington, Ind.
