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All four of Schreiner University’s
Greek organizations walked away with multiple awards for
service and accomplishment at their recent national
conventions. Jennifer Hudson-Velazquez, director of
student activities at Schreiner, is justifiably proud of
the accomplishments of these students.
“When our Greek chapters go to their national
conventions, they are competing for awards for community
service and academics against chapters from huge
universities that may have 100 to 300 members. So when a
20- or 30-member Schreiner chapter is able to win an
award for, say, most number of hours committed to
community service, that’s a really big deal.”
Chi Phi was the first fraternity established on campus
and has recently distinguished itself among its peers by
receiving the prestigious Gehring Award for Chapter
Excellence – only the second time this award has been
given to a Chi Phi chapter. When informed of the award,
Peg Layton, vice president for enrollment and student
services, said, “To be singled out for the top honor
that a Chi Phi chapter can receive not only acknowledges
the contributions these young men have made to their
national organization, but also their outstanding
service to Schreiner University and to the Kerrville
community.”
Brian Tenclinger, director of undergraduate services at
the Chi Phi Fraternity National Office, said the awards
committee was blown away by the Schreiner chapter’s
efforts.
“For a chapter that once struggled to merely survive, to
receive this award is exceptional,” Tenclinger said.
“Their programs in recruitment, alumni relations,
financial management, public relations and academic
excellence were all recognized as first class.”
Phi Delta Theta won awards for community service and
excellence in academics and for overall chapter
excellence. Phi Delta Theta’s award for community
service was based not only on contributions the whole
chapter makes to the community, like taking
responsibility for cleaning up a two mile stretch of Hwy
16 four times a year, but also for the level of
commitment to service shown by individual members,
whether volunteering at the Kerr County Humane Society
or feeding the homeless. On the academic side, Phi Delta
Theta was recognized for its overall excellence, as well
as for its innovative program for tracking the academic
progress of every member, ensuring that anyone needing
help can get it right away.
Schreiner’s chapter of Delta Phi Epsilon received awards
at their national conference for having the chapter most
actively involved in campus life and for their
outstanding program on management of eating disorders.
The national Delta Phi Epsilon organization’s two
priorities are anorexia & associated disorders and
cystic fibrosis, and Schreiner’s chapter has chosen to
focus on ANAD. In the past year the chapter has hosted a
candlelight vigil with 100 percent attendance, has
brought a guest speaker to campus to promote discussion
of anorexia & associated disorders, and has reached out
campus-wide with programs to raise awareness. In
addition to the organizational awards, former Delta Phi
Epsilon member and Schreiner graduate Delma Thompson ’06
received the Outstanding Collegian of the Biennium award
for her accomplishments in service, academics, and
extracurricular involvement in campus life.
Schreiner’s newest Greek organization, Alpha Sigma
Alpha, was designated as an “Attain Chapter” at their
national convention in July. Attain Chapters have vowed
fully to uphold their role, responsibility and
commitment to being an energizing influence in the
future of their chapter and Alpha Sigma Alpha. This
designation is the third highest level of recognition
awarded by Alpha Sigma Alpha, and represents a
significant achievement for a chapter that is in its
first year on campus.
Summarizing these latest accomplishments of Schreiner’s
Greek organizations, Jennifer Hudson-Velazquez comments
“Our Greek organizations are a vital part of Schreiner’s
campus life and these awards demonstrate that community
service and scholarship are as vital to their success as
the social life and fellowship they offer to their
members.” |
