Towson University Greek Life racks up national awards
TU fraternities and sororities earn awards for chapter excellence, academics, philanthropy and more
With over 2,800 members, Greek life at Towson University continues to be an integral part of TU鈥檚 campus community.
Representing more than 15 percent of TU鈥檚 undergraduate population, fraternity and sorority members work diligently in the areas of philanthropy, community service and member education.
Through their hard work, Towson University Greek Life organizations and members won several national awards this past summer and during the early part of the fall semester. These include awards for academics, philanthropy, engagement and overall chapter excellence.
鈥淥ur students have displayed an intense dedication to their values and it shows through all the recognition they are receiving from their (inter)national offices,鈥� said Matt Lenno, director of fraternity and sorority life at TU[BROKEN LINK]. 鈥淚 am proud that I am able to serve my students in the role as a director, while being able to watch and help them accomplish so many great things.鈥�
Here is a list of organizations and individuals who won national awards this past year.
The Risk Management Award: Awarded to the chapter/colony that has excelled in reducing risks in its programming. The Towson University chapter was given this award after re-writing its entire constitution and reforming the chapter.
Most Spirited Delegate and Delegation: Awarded after the chapter was the most involved and engaged in the conclave programs.
Ruby Level Standard of Excellence: Awarded after the chapter achieved the highest level in the national organizations鈥� chapter assessment.
Quota Honor Roll: The chapter met the national quota during formal recruitment.
Strike out Arthritis: Chapter was recognized for holding a 鈥淪trike out Arthritis鈥� charity event.
Academic Honor Roll: The TU chapter met the national organization鈥檚 academic criteria for the Fall 2015 term.
Total Honor Roll: The TU chapter maintained its total membership numbers.
Initiation Honor Roll: The chapter initiated all members who pledged during the formal recruitment period.
Community Service Cup: The TU chapter showed outstanding community service to their own philanthropies and other fraternities, sororities and outside service.
Excellence in Colony Management Award: Awarded to the TU chapter for its effective leadership team.
The 100% Ritually Proficient Award: Awarded to the chapter because each member has one or more Certificates of Ritual Proficiency.
Chapter Academic Excellence Spring 2015 Academic Term Award
Chapter Academic Excellence Fall 2015 Academic Term Award
Chapter Academic Excellence Spring/Fall 2015 Academic Year Award
Champion Chapter: Awarded to chapters that feature 60 members or more.
Undergraduate Chapter of the Year
Miracle Maker: Awarded after the chapter showed continued high performance in support and fundraising for the Children鈥檚 Miracle Network Hospitals.
Lending a Helping Hand Award: Chapter showed support of extension through helping with the opening of a chapter at a neighboring school.
Zilgitt Leadership Award: Awarded to chapter president Chris Camponella for his leadership.
James S. Whitfield Chapter of Honor award
Five Star Conference
Best Regional Conference
Scholarship Plate: Awarded to chapters who maintain a 3.0 grade point average.
100+ Man Chapter: Awarded to chapters who have over 100 members.
Alumni Advisory Board of the Year
American Red Cross Fraternity of the Year, 2015-16: Awarded to the TU chapter for going above and beyond for volunteering with the American Red Cross through tabling and volunteering at blood drives.
National Chapter Achievement Award: This award is handed out to chapters that excel in the core fundamental areas of chapter operations.
USO Service Award: The award is presented to the chapter that commits the highest number of combined service hours to the USO in a given academic year.
USO Fundraising Award: Presented to the chapter that raises the most money for the USO in a given academic year.
Recruitment recognition: Awarded to the chapter for its excellence in recruitment
Intramural sports recognition: Awarded for its intramural sports participation
Recruitment Improvement Recognition: Given to the TU chapter for improving its recruitment numbers.
Leonard S. Malmud Recognition: Awarded for its participation in community service projects
Most Outstanding Program or Event with another chapter: Awarded for the event
鈥淕reen Light Go.鈥� The event was a partnership with George Washington, the University
of Maryland and American University, who held a massive game of 鈥淩ed Light, Green
Light,鈥� to raise awareness of sexual assault on college campuses nationwide.
Zeta Lady: Awarded to TU member Kara Hammersla for representing the all-around epitome of a chapter recruit.
Scholastic Achievement Award: Awarded to TU members Anna Gakill for maintaining a high GPA along with being active inside and out of the chapter.
Crown Chapter: Awarded to the TU chapter for hitting all the criteria set by national organization.
Major Donor: Donating at least $300 in the past year to the national foundation.
Quota/Total and Highly Commendable Scholastic Achievement
Alumnae-Collegiate Relations Silver Award: Give to chapters for programming and activities with alumnae.
Zeta Pride Award: Given to a chapter that has shown both improvements and maintain all aspects of the chapter at a high standard.
Maximum Chapter Size: Awarded to the TU chapter for maintaining its quota.
Academic Achievement Award: Given to the TU chapter for maintaining a 3.0 average over the academic year.
Along with Towson University鈥檚 individual chapters, Lenno also received awards from both the Chi Phi and Theta Chi Fraternities鈥� national organizations. This includes:
The Chi Phi Fraternity Campus Administrator of the Year: Given out at their national convention in Columbus, Ohio. Lenno was nominated by Barbre Berris, director for Greek Life at Kennesaw State, Mike Azarian, executive director of Chi Phi and Towson University students.
Theta Chi Floyd W. Field Award: The Floyd W. Field Award honors outstanding university administrators and faculty including deans of students, Greek advisers and chapter advisers who have made extraordinary efforts toward the enhancement of the Greek movement.
According to Deb Moriarty, vice president of student affairs at Towson University, it is easy to see why TU鈥檚 Greek Life has won so many awards with Lenno at the helm.
鈥淚n my 12-plus years at Towson University, we have worked hard to bring nationally recognized groups to campus,鈥� Moriarty said. 鈥淲e also hold those individuals and chapters accountable to uphold the standards and expectations not only of their national organization, but also of our campus.
鈥淒uring this time, we hired an outstanding director of Greek Life, Matt Lenno, who has formalized our expectations and created programs and initiatives, which hold our students accountable," she added. "Matt has received numerous national recognitions for his work related to hazing and the formation of strong fraternities at Towson University.鈥�