Volume 8, Issue 6 - March 2013

In This Issue…

Page 1: HuskyTHON Recap Page 2: Senior Spotlights Page 3: Greeks of the Month; Greek Allies; NGLA Page 4: Arête Awards Winners Page 5: Greek Week, Philanthropy Update Page 6: Spring Break Safety Tips; Career Corner

http://www.greeklife.uconn.edu/

Happy St. Patrick’s Day from OFSL! HuskyTHON experienced another year of amazing growth. With a grand total of over $343,000 raised for Connecticut Children’s Medical Center and Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, HuskyTHON broke many of its own personal records and set the bar even higher for next year. This year was the largest HuskyTHON ever with over 1,600 participants, including dancers, dancer representatives, morale captains, volunteers, and the management team. HuskyTHON was proud to invite 44 Miracle Children—kids whose lives have been greatly influenced by CCMC/CMNH—to partake in the festivities. The Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life can’t wait for an even bigger HuskyTHON 2014!

One night. One heart. One cause. FTK!

Senior Spotlights Danielle Bloom has been an important member of the Delta Zeta and Greek community in her past four years at UConn. She has been Delta Zeta's Public Relations Chair and Panhellenic Delegate, while also serving as Recruitment Counselor in Fall 2011 and the Director of Potential New Member Communication on this past year’s Recruitment Management Team. Danielle has not only touched her chapter members with her shining personality and small stature, but also the Greek Community as a whole. After graduation, Danielle plans to become a Registered Dietician working in pediatrics.

Callie Matthews has without question been one of the most influential and outstanding seniors in the Delta Zeta Chapter and the Greek Community as a whole. She worked hard as the co-executive director of HuskyTHON and she is a strong leader who shows compassion in all that she does for Connecticut Children's Medical Center. She has proven to be organized and extremely motivated throughout the entire year of planning. Callie has also served on the Delta Zeta executive board as Vice President of Recruitment, working so hard to help the chapter through an amazing recruitment. Also, this past fall she choreographed our dances for lip-sync resulting in amazing dances and a memorable time for all the sisters involved. Throughout all of this hard work and time-consuming commitments, she has been a loyal and amazing friend–always being there for when any sister needs her. Callie is going to be greatly missed in the Delta Zeta house next year!

Tommy Pham, also known as Majin Buu by those that known him well, is a brother that exemplifies Pi Delta Psi's Four Pillars, especially friendship and loyalty. Crossing in Fall 2009 as one of the eleven Distinguished Deltas, Tommy has held many positions within the fraternity, including the position of Pledge Educator for the Immortal Iotas in Spring 2012. Though Tommy is extremely active within the brotherhood, he has never forgotten what it means to be a brother.

He continues to be a dependable and trustworthy brother who exemplifies everything Pi Delta Psi stands for, yet he never forgets that college is an educational experience where learning takes place and memories are made. Although Tommy is graduating this coming spring, his personality, values and ideals have been passed on to those that have crossed after him.

Adrianna Rinaldi has been a great representative of Kappa Kappa Gamma over the past four years due to her leadership and outstanding service. Throughout her time in Kappa, she has become extremely passionate and well involved with HuskyTHON. She has fulfilled the roles of dancer, Assistant Director of Recruitment, Morale Captain, and Director of Special Events. This job entails her to work with others to implement fundraisers, and to be solely in charge for the production, creation, and development of the largest student-run fundraiser for HuskyTHON: The Miracle Walk Fashion Show. This event, which Adrianna has been preparing for all year, was extremely successful and raised $11,000 for the kids. On top of all the effort and success Adrianna has contributed to HuskyTHON for the past four years, she has also contributed her leadership skills to Kappa Kappa Gamma. She was Activities Chairman and led her sorority to win Homecoming 2011. She was also the Fraternity Educator, which entailed planning events for seniors and educating new members on Kappa values. With her impressive leadership abilities and her passion for service, there is no doubt that Adrianna will continue to do great things and make her fellow sisters proud once she leaves UConn this spring.

Alex Wegh has been a proud and dedicated brother of Tau Kappa Epsilon since his first semester at the University of Connecticut. He was instrumental in leading the Delta Gamma chapter of TKE to being on great terms with the university community. Alex will earn a degree in Management/Internal Business with Management Information Systems certificate when he graduates in May. He has routinely achieved one of the highest GPAs in the fraternity and has mentored younger brothers to strive towards the same academic success. Alex is a 2012 New England Scholar, a member of the Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society, and an Eagle Scout from Troop 75 of the Boy Scouts of America. In the fraternity, Alex served as Chief Financial Officer, Interfraternal Council Chairman, and Athletic Events Chairman. He helped raise over $12,000 for Autism Speaks through the annual TKE 5k Run/Walk. Alex has accepted a job offer at Traveler's Insurance in the Insurance Operations Leadership Development Program Associate and will begin in June.

Greeks of the Month Taylor Brown of Alpha Phi is an outstanding representative of the Panhellenic and Greek Community. Her positive attitude is always seen around campus and through her leadership abilities with all she is involved in. Taylor is a member of the Panhellenic Executive Board as VP of Internal Relations overseeing the Junior Panhellenic Council, helping to foster Panhellenic relations with newer members of the Panhellenic Council.

Taylor is also a member of the HuskyTHON Management Team as the Co-Director of Family Relations, demonstrating a dedication to philanthropy and service for the UConn Community. Taylor also remains active in her chapter as well as the Assistant New Member Educator for Alpha Phi. When Taylor isn't busy with her Greek involvement, Taylor works hard to keep her grades up as a Physiology and Neurobiology major, one of the most difficult majors offered at UConn. She is committed to her schoolwork and highly demonstrates the importance of academics as a Greek Woman.

Steve Clement, of Kappa Sigma, is the guy that you can always find at any event within the fraternity or Greek life. He is a great example of what brotherhood is all about. When Kappa Sigma needs one extra brother to attend a conference, a meeting, or anything else, they can always count on Steve. Currently, Steve serves as the Executive Vice President on IFC where he is working to improve the IFC Standards Board to help fraternities live up to their values. He commits to everything he does with a full heart, and that’s what makes him excel at everything he does. Steve remains committed to improving the Greek community as well as the UConn community as whole. Furthermore, Steve lives the Greek values and Kappa Sigma’s pillars like no other. By maintaining great grades, helping his brothers and friends any way he can, leading the Greek community/implementing changes for the betterment of Greek life, and giving back anytime he can, Steve is a great role model and example of what a Fraternity Man should be.

Crystal Torraco is an outstanding sister of Kappa Alpha Theta. She is a natural leader, and this semester her involvement in the Impact Delta Leadership Workshops will undoubtedly strengthen her leadership skills. Most recently, Crystal was one of the top donors for the Panhellenic Dress Drive, donating nine dresses, demonstrating her dedication to service and helping others. Her commitment to scholarship is evident as she has goals of being a nurse, and her care and support for all of her sisters is valuable. Crystal is extremely deserving of the Greek of the Month recognition.

Attention Fraternity and Sorority Leaders!

The Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life is partnering with the Rainbow Center to create a UConn Greek Allies program!

This program is designed to do the following:  Address stigmas and stereotypes of both Greek life and the LGBTQ community  Provide resources to members who identify as part of the LGBTQ community  Allow those members to feel more comfortable in their respective chapters  Promote and maintain an accurate image of an accepting community  Be a visible and proactive group on campus  Change the way people on campus think of the fraternity/ sorority community through education and awareness This program is open to all fraternity and sorority members, and an entire chapter can become ally certified, complete with a Husky Ally decal that can be displayed to promote a welcoming and inclusive community! For more information, or to have UConn Greek Allies present at your chapter meeting, please contact Corey Lueker.

To better serve the fraternity/sorority community, the UConn Greek Allies program offers a private support group for individuals within the fraternity/sorority community who may be struggling with identity and sexuality. If you would like to participate in this support group, contact Corey Lueker at Corey.Lueker@uconn.edu or call (860) 486-3449.

Northeast Greek Leadership Association From February 21-24, 23 Greek students and OFSL staff members attended the 13th annual Northeast Greek Leadership Association (NGLA) Conference in Hartford, CT representing the UConn Greek community. The weekend was filled with interactive icebreakers, connecting with 900 brothers and sisters from other universities, networking with professionals, and leadership programs. NGLA allowed participants to explore fresh ideas, inspired abilities, and the common belief that a values-based existence brings all of us together, regardless of campus, age, or affiliation.

Coming back, we now have the knowledge, ability, and skills to solve the challenges that our UConn Greek community faces by implementing newly enhanced programs and initiatives within our chapters, organizations, and councils. The NGLA Conference is a remarkable leadership opportunity, so look forward to the chance to participate next year.

Additionally, congratulations to Mike Pollack-Twomey for winning a Greek Leader of Distinction Award!

Congratulations to the 2013 Arête Awards Recipients!

Fraternity of the Year Beta Theta Pi (ΒΘΠ)

Sorority of the Year Kappa Alpha Theta (ΚΑΘ)

Fraternity Man of the Year Matthew Dempsey (ΒΘΠ)

Outstanding Advisor Lexia Nowicki (KKΓ)

Highest Average Chapter GPA Kappa Alpha Theta (ΚΑΘ)

Outstanding Faculty/Staff Member Lisa Coté, Student Activities

Outstanding Chapter President Bryant Dominguez (ΛAΥ) Allison Hayes (ΠΒΦ)

Outstanding Community Involvement Lambda Alpha Upsilon Fraternity, Inc. (ΛAΥ) Phi Sigma Rho (ΦΣΡ) Excellence in Leadership Development Lambda Alpha Upsilon Fraternity, Inc. (ΛAΥ) Mu Sigma Upsilon Sorority, Inc. (MΣΥ) Outstanding Membership Development Program Zeta Beta Tau (ZBT) Lambda Theta Alpha Sorority, Inc. (ΛΘA) Outstanding Auxiliary Group Member Owen Sandoval (KΣ) Anna Wittman (AΦ)

Highest New Member GPA Beta Theta Pi (ΒΘΠ) Outstanding Greek Senior William Scannell (ZBT) Amy Chea (ΚΑΘ) Outstanding Chapter Management Beta Theta Pi (ΒΘΠ) Kappa Alpha Theta (ΚΑΘ) Lindsay L. Sell Outstanding Panhellenic Woman Meg Ferguson (ΦΣΡ) Outstanding Member Development Program Zeta Beta Tau (ZBT) Delta Gamma (ΔΓ) Outstanding Scholar Aaron Burrick (ΒΘΠ) Elana Katz (ΠΒΦ)

Outstanding Academic Achievement Program Beta Theta Pi (ΒΘΠ) Kappa Alpha Theta (ΚΑΘ)

Excellence in Ritual and Values Sigma Chi (ΣX) Alpha Epsilon Phi (AEΦ)

Emerging Greek Leader Nicholas Walcott (ΒΘΠ) Emily Thompson (ΚΑΘ)

Outstanding Risk Management and Reduction Program Sigma Alpha Epsilon (ΣAE) Kappa Phi Lambda (KΦΛ)

Sorority Woman of the Year Monica Vaughn-Flam (ΚΑΘ)

Excellence in Member Education Alpha Epsilon Pi (AEΠ) Delta Gamma (ΔΓ) Outstanding New Member Program Beta Theta Pi (ΒΘΠ) Delta Zeta (ΔZ) Outstanding Campus Involvement Zeta Beta Tau (ZBT) Pi Beta Phi (ΠΒΦ) Outstanding Council Officer Cristhian Bedon (IGC) Becca Brooks Most Improved Chapter GPA Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc. (ΣΓΡ) Outstanding External Relations Program Alpha Epsilon Pi (AEΠ) Kappa Phi Lambda (KΦΛ) Most Improved Chapter Sigma Chi (ΣX) Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. (ZΦB) Outstanding Recruitment and Retention Program Kappa Sigma (ΚΣ) Pi Beta Phi (ΠΒΦ) Outstanding Alumnus/Alumna Lauren Kelly Gall (AΦ) Outstanding Greek Volunteer Shelby Flynn (ΔΖ)

Greek Week 2013 is right around the corner, and this year’s Management Team is proud to announce that UConn Greeks will be “Saving the World, One Greek Week at a Time!” Starting on Sunday, April 7th in Husky Village, Greek Week will kick off with Can-Struction and the Greek Games! This year, the management team is implementing a new Greek Game: the First Annual Chariot Race! On Monday, April 8th, the Greek Community is invited to Jorgensen to cheer on their peers in the Greek God and Goddess Pageant, debuting their special talents and artistic togas. On Tuesday, April 9th, UConn welcomes David Stollman as the Greek Week Speaker, who will be presenting his lecture “Buy in or Get Out”. Wednesday, April 10th, the final day of Greek Week, will be a fun night full of dancing and cheering on your team members as they perform in Greek Sing as their favorite superheroes. Winners will be announced after the show, so make sure to stick around until the end!

Please follow Greek Week on Facebook and @UCGreekWeek on Twitter for the most up-to-date information from the Greek Week Management Team. Contact the Public Relations Directors, Kaitlin Latham and Jack O’Brien, at uconngreekweek@gmail.com with any questions regarding the upcoming events!

The women of Kappa Alpha Theta would like to announce the return of the Theta 5KAO Race and Fun Run, which will be held on Sunday, March 3, 2013 at 10:00 am. 100% of the proceeds from this event will benefit their philanthropy, CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) and the Kappa Alpha Theta Friendship Fund, which provides gifts to Thetas experiencing extreme financial hardship due to serious or terminal illness, job loss, natural disaster, and other devastating occurrences.

If you are interested in running or walking, the registration fee is $50 for a team of 6, $75.00 for a team of 12, and $10 for individual runners. Registration will begin at 9:30 AM on Fairfield Way across from the Jonathan the Husky Statue, and the race begins at 10AM. Registration is $15 on the day of the event, so sign up early! If you are interested in participating in the Fun Run, bring your roller blades, scooters, or skateboards! Even dogs are welcome! The sisters of Kappa Alpha Theta are looking forward to seeing you all there!

Please contact Maddie Love (madison.love@uconn.edu) and check out our Facebook event (Theta 5KAO Fun Run) for more information.

Zeta Beta Tau Fundraises for the Friends of Mel Foundation

Pi Delta Psi Fraternity, Inc.’s Card Drive for St. Jude Children’s Hospital The Omega Chapter of Pi Delta Psi Fraternity, Inc. hosted a Card Drive for St. Jude Children's Hospital last semester. Holiday cards were hand-made by UConn students and helped to spread holiday cheer to the children at St. Jude Children’s Hospital. The event was a success, as the brothers collected many cards and donations for the hospital, as well as donations of stuffed animals that were sent to the Sandy Hook community. Recently the fraternity was contacted by the St. Jude Connecticut Network and the card drive is now an annual fundraiser to support St. Jude Children’s Hospital. The Brothers of Omega Chapter are incredibly honored to be a part of the Network and look forward to continuing the Card Drive in the winter.

Keep connected with the Omega Chapter through Facebook https://www.facebook.com/UConnPiDeltaPsi

The gentlemen of Zeta Beta Tau teamed up with Skating Strides and Hockey East this January to raise funds for the Friends of Mel Foundation. The Friends of Mel Foundation helps and supports the advocacy of breast cancer and breast cancer screenings. Brothers raised money all month by selling t -shirts, water bottles, Chuck-a-Pucks, and other 'pink' gear, along with the UConn Women's Ice Hockey team. In addition, brothers volunteered during the Skating Strides Hockey Clinic, where children of all ages could practice and improve their hockey skills. Zeta Beta Tau was honored and overjoyed to present a check of $15,000 to the Friends of Mel Foundation.

Looking for a résumé booster? A Certificate of Professional Development will help you stand out to employers and graduate schools, explore various career paths, and form valuable connections along the way. Career Services and the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences have been working hard to develop a series of events held throughout the year that will help students prepare for internships, jobs, and life after graduation. By attending just four of these events over the academic year, you will have earned a Certificate of Professional Development, a business card holder, and an invitation to a recognition event at the end of April. If you’ve attended a Career Fair, an Alumni Panel, or a Career Services résumé or interview presentation so far this year, you could be well on your way to your certificate already.

Visit career.uconn.edu to see a list of our professional development events this semester. As always, if you have any questions, stop by Career Services in Wilbur Cross room 201, or visit http:// www.career.uconn.edu/.

Career Corner

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The Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life would like to wish a Happy Founder’s Day to the following organizations:

Pi Kappa Alpha—March 1, 1868 Sigma Alpha Epsilon—March 9, 1856 Kappa Phi Lambda—March 9, 1995 Delta Gamma—March 14, 1873

From CLAS to Career: Marketing Yourself in the Interview and Beyond

March 7th 5:00 - 8:30 pm UConn Alumni Center

Join CLAS and Career Services for a night of networking and professional development! Come engage in strategy sessions with prominent alumni and participate in exercises that will help you confidently articulate the value of your education and experiences.

President of Allstar Marketing Group and UConn alumnus, Ron Steblea (BA in Economics ʹ88 & M.A. in English ʹ90), will deliver the keynote address and share his personal career story.

Advanced registration is required and space is limited. To see the schedule of events and register, visit http://tinyurl.com/UConnCLAS. This is a Certificate of Professional Development Event.

Avoid going out/traveling alone. Your mother always said that there’s safety in numbers, and she was right! You are a vulnerable target if you are by yourself, so make sure to go everywhere with at least one other person by your side. This is especially important if you are going to the ATM—friends can keep a lookout while you withdraw money to lower the risk of robbery.

Know your emergency contacts. If you are traveling outside of the USA, the emergency number is not 9-1-1. Make sure to keep a list of emergency contacts with you at all times, including an emergency response number, contact information for those you are traveling with, etc.

Keep your money and other valuables hidden. Do not take out a wad of cash or multiple credit cards at once; you are making yourself more vulnerable to theft. Only carry a limited amount of money with you, and make sure to alert your credit card company and bank that you are traveling so they do not put holds on your account due to suspicious activity in a foreign city/country.

Be aware of the sun! Spending the whole day on the beach can be a relaxing affair. However, it is important to be aware of how much sun you’re getting. Stay hydrated and reapply a suntan lotion of at least SPF 15 often.

Go out with friends, come home with friends. Knowing your group makes your whole night safer and eliminates 95% of bad drama. With a group of friends, you can keep an eye on one another and make sure everyone has a fun, safe night and returns home safely at the end of it.

HuskyDrive Ignite!

“Ignite is UConn's first crowdfunding competition that gives UConn students and young alumni the opportunity to follow, connect with, and support causes at the University of Connecticut that they are most passionate about.” Please consider supporting Greek Life—the money raised goes toward sending students to the Undergraduate Interfraternity Institute (UIFI) and on a Greek Alternative Break! To learn more or to donate to Greek Life, please visit: http://ignite.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp? ievent=1044943&supid=376106165 Do you know an outstanding Greek Senior? How about a member in any Greek organization that goes above and beyond for their chapter? Nominate them for a Senior Spotlight or Greek of the Month! Anyone in the Greek Community can submit nominations, and you can find the nomination forms here.

Would you like your chapter to be featured in the newsletter? Please send all submissions to Kaitlin Latham at Student1498@ad.uconn.edu by 5pm on Wednesday, March 27th, to be featured in the April edition.