The annual greek awards capped off Greek Week April 26, honoring Baker University’s top men, women and chapters.
Director of Greek Life Bryan VanOsdale said the purpose of the awards is to acknowledge those who best represent what greek life stands for.
“I think it’s really great to recognize the organizations and the men and women who exemplify those principles,” he said. “They espouse the values of what greek life is.”
The top individual awards, greek man and woman of the year, went to seniors Jon Xenos of the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity and Megan Lamb of the Alpha Chi Omega sorority. During his time at Baker, Xenos has served as the president and executive board adviser for his fraternity and as an Interfraternity Council delegate for two years and as treasurer.
“I was very honored to receive the award. It meant a lot to me after four years of hard work,” Xenos said.
Lamb served as president as well as vice president for recruitment for her sorority and as president of Order of Omega, the national greek honors and leadership society. Order of Omega replaced Greek Council as the governing body of greek life on campus in October.
“I was very excited, and it’s just a really great honor at Baker, especially at a university that has such a great tradition of greek life with so many individuals who contribute,” Lamb said.
Both worked with IFC and Panhellenic to restructure the governance of fraternity and sorority life. Earlier this year, IFC restructured the party policy to set guidelines for social activity in greek organizations.
VanOsdale said the awards couldn’t replicate the amount of effort and leadership present among the greek community.
“When I think of a leader, I see a sense of confidence yet a humility about them. I think each one of these people possesses that,” he said. “They have made a lasting impression on fraternity and sorority life. The greatest thing about this is these people have been true role models.”
VanOsdale said the goals of the greek system correspond with those of the university in general.
“They’re not just good greeks. They’re good students,” he said. “I think that’s kind of an unspoken mission of our institution of higher learning. We’re creating our society’s future leaders.”
Lamb said she thought the greek awards were a nice time to reflect on greek life.
“It’s just an opportunity to show the whole greek community what they’ve been doing and how that’s impacted Baker,” she said.
Chapter awards
Alpha Chi OmegaScholastics (3.49 GPA), Chapter Programming, Campus Involvement
Delta Delta DeltaExcellence in Philanthropy ($2,500), Outstanding New Member Education Program
Delta Tau DeltaExcellence in Philanthropy ($2,300), Excellence in Community Service, Outstanding New Member Education Program, Most Improved Chapter
Kappa SigmaHouse Spirit
Phi MuMost Improved Chapter
Sigma Phi EpsilonScholastics (2.97 GPA), Chapter Programming, Campus Involvement, Chapter of the Year
Zeta Phi BetaHouse Spirit
Zeta Tau AlphaExcellence in Community Service, Chapter of the Year
Individual awards
Greek Man & Woman of the YearJon Xenos, ???; Megan Lamb, ???
New Member of the YearRyan Smith, ???; Amanda Wahlmeier, ??
Adviser of the YearMike Preston, ??; Angie Butell, ???
Outstanding Greek ScholarScott Driver, ???; Bliss Hartnett, ZTA
President of the YearChris Woolery, ??; Michelle Pressgrove, ZTA