Three undergraduates and one fraternity at the University of Rochester were honored with four awards at the Northeast Greek Leadership Association (NGLA) Conference, held in Hartford, Conn., last month. The NGLA provides opportunities for learning and leadership to members of fraternities and sororities throughout the northeast region.
Three students from the University, Kyle Coapman ’13 of Delta Upsilon Fraternity, Harini Morisetty ’13 (T5) of Delta Phi Omega Sorority, and Kelly Scull ’14, Sigma Delta Tau Sorority, were recipients of the Greek Leaders of Distinction Award. This award recognizes students who exemplify the ideals of their fraternity or sorority within their daily lives. Nominees were judged on several criteria, including leadership, scholastic and academic achievement, character as displayed through fraternity or sorority membership, and service to the University, to the individual’s organization, and to the fraternity and sorority community at large.
Sigma Phi Epsilon also was recognized with the Amy Vojta Impact Award for Philanthropy & Service; which recognizes programming and initiatives that made an impact on a chapter. The fraternity was honored for their work planning and organizing the 19th Ward Spelling Bee.
The annual event is a partnership between Sigma Phi Epsilon, the 19th Ward Community Association, Rochester City School District, Rochester Area Community Foundation, and University of Rochester Admissions Office. Throughout the academic year students in grades three through seven receive spelling bee support in their respective schools and attend monthly sessions where members of Sigma Phi Epsilon tutor them in preparation for the preliminary and the final rounds. Students’ hard work culminates with the final round, held in the spring. Prior to the competition students and their parents also have the opportunity to explore the River Campus and engage with members of the University community.
“By bringing students to our school and showing them what they are capable of, we believe that we intrinsically motivate them to learn and reach their full potential,” wrote Jonathan Macoskey ’15, Sigma Phi Epsilon president, in a letter nominating the fraternity for the award. “We hope that as these students near the end of high school, this event’s impact will be visible; encouraging the pursuit of higher education at a young age will hopefully aid in increasing high school graduation rates in the city of Rochester.”
Winners for each grade level receive a $500 scholarship given upon high school graduation and intent to attend college.
