Our Greek organizations have a history of receiving many prestigious awards on a national level as well as holding many leadership positions at the University of South Carolina and beyond. They also continue to contribute back record numbers of community services hours and money raised for charity each year! Please read below to find out more about how Greek Life at the University of South Carolina is continuing their goal of “Building the Premier Greek Community in North America”!

To have a press release about Greek Life written or added to the website, please contact Holly Stout at sagreeks@mailbox.sc.edu.

USC’s Newest Sorority Colonizes the Largest Chapter in the Nation

September 25, 2009

It was hard to overlook their captivating enthusiasm and charm as the women of Phi Mu work to establish the largest Phi Mu colonization in the country here at the University of South Carolina.

On September 18, Phi Mu’s newest chapter, Lambda Theta, at the University of South Carolina, invited the maximum amount of women to join their organization. With 252 women this will make the largest colonization in the nation.

“We are thrilled to have Phi Mu as our newest member of the Greek Community at Carolina,” commented Ron Binder, Director of Greek Life. “They bring a wonderful set of values that will help us achieve our goal of becoming the Premier Greek Community in North America,” said Binder.

Recruitment has been underway for Phi Mu the last few weeks on campus. University of South Carolina undergraduates had the opportunity to talk to alumna of Phi Mu from other schools in order to determine if it would be a good fit for them. By joining the Lambda Theta chapter, members will not only be a part of a founding chapter, but possibly the largest chapter ever to be colonized by a NPC sorority in the nation!

Phi Mu is the second oldest sorority. It was founded in 1852 at Wesleyan College in Macon, Ga. Since then, Phi Mu has colonized 120 collegiate chapters as well as 175 alumnae chapters and is in the works to colonize five more, including the Lambda Theta Chapter.

After becoming a new member of Phi Mu, the women will be guided to pursue personal and academic development, service to others, commitment to excellence and lifelong friendships through a shared tradition. As its mission statement also states, “Phi Mu promotes vibrant living encouraging members to achieve their personal best.”

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Excels at South Atlantic Regional Conference

September 11, 2009

The Theta Gamma Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. recently received the Norma Solomon White Scholarship Award at the South Atlantic Regional Conference. The conference includes Alpha Kappa Alpha chapters from Florida, Georgia and South Carolina.

The Norma Solomon White Scholarship Award is presented to the chapter with the highest scholastic average of the quarter or semester immediately preceding the conference. The Theta Gamma Chapter currently holds the highest NPHC GPA (3.37) which stands above the all Greek GPA (3.28) and all undergraduate GPA (3.19) here at the University of South Carolina.

Courtney Robinson, an active member of the Theta Gamma chapter, was also recognized at the conference for her academic achievements. She received the Norma Solomon White Scholar Award for acquiring the highest scholastic average in the region.

Robinson was also recognized back on April 19, 2009, by NPHC of Columbia as the undergraduate Alpha Kappa Alpha Collegiate Scholar of 2009 at the Anniversary Program for NPHC.

Members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. are extremely proud of Courtney’s achievements as well as their own. They especially thank the Office of Greek Life at the University of South Carolina in assisting them in applying for these top awards.

Alpha Kappa Alpha continues to pursue Greek Life’s goal of “Building the Premier Greek Community in North America” by being a chapter of excellence and high standards. They continue to raise the bar for other Greek organizations to step up and work toward this goal as well.

USC Fraternities Receive National Recognition for Accomplishments

September 11, 2009

Several NPC fraternities at the University of South Carolina were recognized at their individual national conventions over the summer for their achievements in and out of the classroom.

Members of the Alpha Beta Chapter of Chi Psi were awarded the national Chi Psi Founders Trophy. This award is one of two top awards presented annually to a particular chapter of Chi Psi. The Alpha Beta Chapter was presented this award for their overall improvement in the past few years.

Chapter president, Anthony DiPaolo, says he “credits the influence of Greek Life director, Ron Binder, as well as the guidance from local alumni in receiving this award.”

Another fraternity awarded for their accomplishments was the members of the Xi Chapter of Pi Kappa Alpha. They were presented a scholarship plaque at their convention in recognition of the chapter’s 3.22 GPA, which is also the highest among fraternities at the University of South Carolina.

The Raymond L. Orian’s Chapter of Excellence Award was also given to the members of the Xi Chapter for placing in the top 25% of chapters based on overall performance. Pi Kappa Alpha is currently the largest fraternity at the University of South Carolina with 126 members and has an 83% member involvement. They also raised nearly $3,000 for charity last semester.

Chi Psi and Pi Kappa Alpha continue to set examples for other Greek organizations on campus with their continued improvement as well as academic success. Their achievements are currently influencing the process of “Building the Premier Greek Community in North America” here at the University of South Carolina.

Member of Delta Zeta Receives Highest Honors

August 31, 2009

A member of the Beta Delta Chapter of Delta Zeta has been awarded the Grace Mason Lundy Award. It is the highest honor an active member of Delta Zeta can achieve. Maryssa Kucksar is one of this year’s six recipients of this prestigious award.

The Grace Mason Lundy Application describes a recipient of the award as a collegiate woman who “demonstrates outstanding loyalty and service to Delta Zeta” as well as someone who “upholds the high standards of Delta Zeta with enthusiasm and pride.”

Maryssa Kucksar, a native of Amherst, N.Y., graduated this past May from the University of South Carolina with a degree in elementary education. She is currently working for Teach for America in Las Vegas, N.V. As a member of the Beta Delta Chapter, Maryssa served as Vice President of New Member Education and Co-community Service Chair.

“Maryssa was one of our most involved members during her time here at USC and was a great role model for all of our sisters,” Beta Delta Chapter president, Emily Keane, states.

The Office of Greek Life is proud to have had Maryssa as an active member through the Beta Delta chapter of Delta Zeta. As an alumna, there is no doubt she will continue to represent herself as a true recipient of this prestigious award.

Alpha Delta Pi Sorority Receives Highest Award at Grand Convention

August 31, 2009

Members of the Beta Epsilon chapter of Alpha Delta Pi here at the University of South Carolina received highest honors at their Grand Convention this past summer, The Maxine Black Golden Lion Award. This award is presented to chapters for their outstanding performance over a six year period in the following categories: Alpha Education, Finance, Panhellenic, Membership Recruitment, Scholarship and Total Member Education.

The chapter also had to obtain the Diamond 4-point award five out of the past six years, qualify for the Excellence Award the current year, receive the Standard or Golden Lion within the past six years, as well as have a letter of support from Greek Life director, Ron Binder. The last time the chapter won this prestigious award was 18 years ago.

Alpha Delta Pi’s chapter president, Morgan Brown, stated, “We are incredibly proud of receiving this highest honor that recognizes the first and the finest chapters throughout the nation.”

Ron Binder, director of Greek Life commented, “We are very proud of Alpha Delta Pi and their award. As we are building the Premier Greek Community in North America we need to have the premier chapters in North America as well. Alpha Delta Pi is certainly helping us achieve that goal.”

The chapter currently has the highest Greek GPA (3.55), 216 members, produced nearly 2,500 service hours, raised nearly $60,000 for charity and had 100% of their members involved at Carolina.

USC Dance Marathon wins prestigious Ryan White Adversity Award

The University of South Carolina Dance Marathon student group was recently awarded the Ryan White Adversity Award for raising a record $111,000 while overcoming significant challenges stemming from the economic downturn and the state’s budget crisis. Despite these challenges the group raised a record amount of money for Palmetto Health Children’s Hospital and set a record for the number of student dancers at more than 1,000.

Binder receives award

Ron Binder, director of Greek Life, was recently named the Greek Advisor of the Year by the Lambda Chi Alpha International Fraternity. Binder was given this award not only for his good work with the University of South Carolina chapter of Lambda Chi Alpha, but for his more than 20 years of Greek advisor experience at four major institutions. The award will be given July 31 at Lambda Chi’s Centennial Celebration in Indianapolis, Ind. Lambda Chi Alpha is a men’s fraternity founded in 1909 and currently has 200 chapters with more than 10,000 undergraduate members and 200,000 alumni.

Greek Students Host a Remembrance Concert

The University of South Carolina's Greek Programming Board in conjunction with the Five Points Association's Five after Five present the Inaugural Remembrance Concert in honor of students who have passed in previous years. The first concert is dedicated to the memory of those who were lost in the Ocean Isle Fire Tragedy in October 2007. The Inaugural Remembrance Concert will provide a time for students, faculty, staff and the community to celebrate the lives of those lost. Fundraising efforts include T-shirt sales and sponsorships.  Read More >>

Alpha Chi Omega to host IMPACT

On November 17th the Theta Upsilon chapter of Alpha Chi Omega at the Universityof South Carolinawill participate in IMPACT alpha chi omega, a values-based leadership program sponsored by the Alpha Chi Omega Foundation. 

IMPACT alpha chi omega is a chapter retreat designed to bring an entire chapter together to plan positive change for the chapter.  The curriculum of IMPACT alpha chi omega focuses on values as the basis for behavior and examines the elements of building a healthy community that benefits all members.  All sessions offer hands-on experiential activities and discussion. 

Past IMPACT alpha chi omega participants have said the following about the program:

"This curriculum applies to more than sorority values-based leadership is so needed in the workplace, in local communities and in families. Yeah to Alpha Chi Omega for challenging women to change their worlds!"

"As a new member, I didn't know I was that significant. Now I know I can make changes and improvements. I can't wait!"

"This was excellent! Really helped our chapter make differences! Helped us see that there is always room for improvement."

 "I loved how we actually ended with a concrete plan of action and not just ideas"

IMPACT alpha chi omega is funded by the Alpha Chi Omega Foundation.< o:p>

For more information on the IMPACT alpha chi omega program please contact Beth Conder at bconder@alphachiomega.org or 317-579-5050.< o:p>