Student Life \ Greek Life \ Greek News and Events \ Greek News

Greek News
For more information on the following stories, contact:

Jessica Schmidt
Greek Life Advisor
University of Central Oklahoma
405/974-2580
Jschmidt8@uco.edu


May 3, 2007

UCO’s Panhellenic Council Raises nearly $400 for Red Cross

EDMOND, OKLA. — UCO’s Panhellenic Council, the governing council of the four Panhellenic sororities on campus, raised more than $375 for the Red Cross at the inaugural Mr. Greek UCO Pageant.

“This was a brand new idea for UCO, but something we see has a building tradition for the campus and the Greek system,” said Jayme Petete, Panhellenic President and one of two emcees for the event. “We wanted to combine an annual fundraiser with something the campus would enjoy.”

This year, the money raised from ticket sales and donations will benefit the Central Oklahoma Chapter of the American Red Cross. Each year, the Panhellenic Council will choose a different recipient for their fundraising efforts. They hope to be able to serve a variety of community needs over the next few years.

Mr. Greek UCO was a pageant designed to showcase the talent of the men who represent UCO as members of Greek houses. This year’s pageant had six contestants representing four chapters. The contestants included Nathan Box, Pi Kappa Alpha; Anthony Brown, Kappa Sigma; Mitch Elvik, Tau Kappa Epsilon; Skyler Pittman, Sigma Tau Gamma; Trevor Smith, Sigma Tau Gamma; and Daniel Stockton, Pi Kappa Alpha.

Each of the men competed in five categories ranging from business wear to swimwear and talent. Judges representing the UCO community and the Red Cross rated each contestant on a 100 point scale.

“Our dream is to make this pageant even bigger in the year’s ahead,” said Vickie Enis, Panhellenic Vice President of Programming and emcee of the event. “By creating an annual event that people can plan for and look forward to, we’re confident it will become a campus tradition.”

Enis hopes creating a tradition will lead to increased contestant participation and audience attendance, which will help raise more funds for charitable organizations.

“It’s exciting to create something and see it through the process,” said Enis. “But, it’s more worthwhile to see the idea worked and the Red Cross will be able to help people because of [UCO Panhellenic’s] effort.”

Panhellenic Council represents the four Panhellenic sororities on the UCO campus — Alpha Gamma Delta, Alpha Xi Delta, Delta Zeta and Sigma Kappa. As the governing body for the organizations, Panhellenic assists with recruitment initiatives, membership experiences, scholastic excellence and philanthropic service.

******************************************

April 24, 2007
Photo Available Upon Request

EDMOND, OKLA. — UCO Greek Week Unites Greeks in Friendly Competition and Service
Students raise nearly $4,000, collect more than 2,000 cans and donate 200 pints of blood while celebrating being Greek

The second week of April was no typical week for students involved in Greek organizations at the University of Central Oklahoma, it was a week filled with friendly competition and service projects.

“The focus of Greek Week is on all things that are great about being Greek,” said Whitney Davis, UCO sophomore and Greek Week Public Relations Chair. “Through community service initiatives and programming, our goal was to share those things with UCO and the Edmond community.”

Two new events to Greek Week included Penny Wars and a canned food drive and sculpture competition. UCO Greeks banded together to donate more than $3895 during the Penny Wars, sponsored by the Order of Omega, a Greek honor society that recognizes the top three percent of all Greek Students. The Order of Omega Penny Wars were held over a three day period during the course of the week.

During the canned food drive, Greek students collected more than 2,000 cans that were used to create canned food sculptures. Each team designed a sculpture that reflected the Greek Week theme, ‘Being Greek is So Hot Right Now,’ or UCO school spirit. Sculptures stood in the Nigh University Center for one week and then the food items were donated to the Edmond Hope Center.

Returning to Greek Week was the annual UCO Spring Blood Drive. Each year, the UCO Greek Life office sponsors the event, but invites the entire University Community. This year, more than 200 people were able to donate blood, helping to keep the Oklahoma Blood Institute supplied.

In addition to the philanthropic endeavors of UCO’s Greek Week, students participated in a variety of activities that helped them learn more about all the Greek organizations on campus, realize the extent of their commitment as leaders of the UCO community and strengthen their bonds as Greeks. Among the activities were Spring Sing, a variety show; United We Stomp, a step show competition; and a chance to hear David Stollman, a nationally known speaker, talk about buying into the Greek experience.

Although the week ended quickly, students enjoyed the events and the next Greek Week is just around the corner.

“Plans are already in place for Greek Week 2008 and we hope it will be even more successful,” Davis said.
******************************************

March 13, 2007
Photos Available Upon Request

UCO Fraternity Lends a Helping Hand

EDMOND, OKLA. — Edmond citizens traveling on Danforth between Bryant and Coltrane were greeted with a more beautiful commute this week after members of Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity helped clean the area March 10 and 11.

Undergraduate members from the fraternity gathered to support the long running Edmond beautification project, Adopt-a-Street. This wasn’t the first time the fraternity brothers helped keep Edmond green. The men have been cleaning their assigned areas every semester for the past four years.

“Tau Kappa Epsilon is an avid supporter of this program and we’re happy to participate,” Jared Smith, president said. “We dedicate at least one weekend a semester to make sure we’re doing our part.”

Because Adopt-a-Street is a long standing tradition for the Tau Kappa Epsilon chapter, members are proud of the heritage the project has created.

“Adopt-a-Street is important because to us because it’s a way for our fraternity to share our pride for the Edmond community,” Smith said.

Tau Kappa Epsilon was originally founded at UCO in February 23, 1957 and was the first fraternity to start on the campus. Tau Kappa Epsilon is a brotherhood of men who support each other’s mental, moral and social development. Since its founding in 1899, more than 240,000 men of good character have become members. Tau Kappa Epsilon is one of the largest college social fraternities in the world, with more than 268 chapters and colonies on campuses across the United States and Canada. Members of Tau Kappa Epsilon value scholarship, character, leadership, teamwork, service and brotherhood. They aim to make a positive difference in society and become better people in the process.

******************************************

February 22, 2007
Photo Available Upon Request

UCO Student Receives National Greek Honor Society Scholarship

EDMOND, OKLA. — University of Central Oklahoma student and Edmond native Kristin Blair Jones received one of 171 scholarships from the national council of Order of Omega.

Order of Omega is a Greek Honor Society that recognizes the top three percent of all Greek students nationwide. As a founding member, Jones helped start the UCO chapter nearly two years ago.

When the time came to complete a scholarship application last November, Jones said there was no question in her mind whether or not to apply. “It was a great opportunity and I wanted to take the chance,” Jones said.

Her instincts paid off and in January she was notified she had been selected as a recipient because of her contributions to her sorority, Alpha Xi Delta, to the Greek community and to the university community.

“I was honored to receive the award and to be selected from among such a large number of applicants,” Jones said. “This extra funding will assist me with tuition payments and allow me to further my scholastic goals.”

As a graduate of Edmond North High School in 2003, Jones grew up in Edmond. She is no stranger to UCO, as her mother, Dr. Darlene Kness, has taught there for a number of years.

Jones was quick to jump into life at UCO and become involved with a number of organizations. Gamma Beta Phi honor society, Fashion Troupe, Big Event, Taste of Edmond and the UCO Orientation Team are just a few of the additional activities and organizations where Jones volunteers her time.

She most recently held the position of Panhellenic President. Panhellenic is the governing body of many of the sororities at UCO and Jones was selected to serve as president when it was her sorority’s turn to reign. During the same year, she also served as president for the UCO chapter of Order of Omega.

“Being a founding member and the president of Order of Omega [at UCO] was a very positive experience for me,” Jones said. “Receiving a scholarship from them just served to increase my belief in the strength and foundation of such a prestigious organization.”

Since its inception in 1985, the Order of Omega Scholarship Program has awarded over half a million dollars to its undergraduate members. This year alone the scholarship committee awarded over $60,000.

******************************************

February 15, 2007
Photos Available Upon Request

Sorority Raises $2,000 for Red Cross

EDMOND, OKLA. — During a recent benefit concert, Alpha Xi Delta, a Panhellenic Sorority at the University of Central Oklahoma (UCO), raised $2,000 to donate to the Red Cross.

The concert took place February 2 at Hamilton Field house on UCO’s campus. Three Oklahoma bands played sets at the show, including, The Effects from Oolagah, Okla.; Red Light Knights of Bethany, Okla., and Falling High, of Oklahoma City. In addition to keeping fans entertained, the bands encouraged fans to keep the donations coming.

“The dedication from the bands was impressive and we’re grateful for their support in helping us reach our goal,” said Winter Hollingsworth, Alpha Xi Delta president.

For the women of Alpha Xi Delta, the concert was an inspiration, but also a way to honor the memory of their late sister, Caroline Still. Still passed away in December 2006 from a pulmonary embolism. She had been planning the concert as a way to assist with fundraising for the Hurricane Katrina relief effort when she passed away. Still’s Alpha Xi Delta sorority sisters decided to honor her by turning her dream into a reality and proceeding with the concert.

“We’re so pleased with the results of our concert,” Hollingsworth said. “In fact, we’ve decided to make it an annual tradition to honor our sister and help with Red Cross fundraising.”

Natalie Scott, Community Relations Coordinator for the Red Cross said the organization was pleased with the students’ initiative to raise money and help the Red Cross.

“The concert is a great way for people to have fun while supporting a great cause,” Scott said. “The fact that they’re honoring their sorority sister’s wishes is a pretty special tribute as well.”

Scott was grateful to the women of Alpha Xi Delta for realizing the need for fundraising assistance for the Red Cross in order to provide relief to those affected by disaster. She said the sorority came up with a great way to help.

“We’re happy that the giving spirit is alive and well in Oklahomans of all ages,” Scott added. “Their creative support of the Red Cross services is a great example of how we can help people in our communities and across the nation.”

******************************************