Arkansas Greek Life was recently recognized for a number of awards at the Southeastern Greek Leadership Association annual conference in Atlanta, including Community of the Year.
Each year at the conference, fraternity and sorority communities, councils and individuals are recognized for their outstanding accomplishments over the past year. These awards recognize excellence in leadership, philanthropy, community service and academic achievement among Greek communities.
To be named Community of the Year, Arkansas Greek Life submitted more than 100 pages of documentation, as it related to civic and philanthropic engagement, strategic branding, educational programming, campus relations, leadership development and academic enhancement. Individually, each of the four Greek governing councils had to be recognized for efforts within their own respective councils to be eligible.
Parice S. Bowser, the assistant vice chancellor for Greek Life and associate dean of students, shared what this honor means to her students and staff.
“I am truly grateful for this award recognition,” Bowser said. “This is a prestigious honor to be considered the best Greek Life community in the country. This award is for all 9,200 Greek students including council and chapter leaders, staff and alumni. We did this together!”
“The Greek community’s commitment to academic excellence, service and student engagement makes it an integral part of the University of Arkansas,” said Chancellor Charles Robinson. “I am proud to see our Greek organizations recognized for their outstanding contributions to the U of A and the surrounding area.”
The U of A Interfraternity Council received the Victor Felts Interfraternity Council of the Year award for their efforts both on and off campus and were recognized for council impact and community cultivation.
“This award fills me with an indescribable sense of gratitude and achievement,” said Alex Davis, interfraternity council president. “This award highlights the positive impact our council has on the university and the city of Fayetteville.”
The U of A’s chapter of the National Pan-Hellenic Council was also awarded the council impact and community cultivation award. This council was named Council of the Year through the National Pan-Hellenic Council in October 2023.
“These honors truly emphasize the way we aim to live out the ideals and values of the National Pan-Hellenic Council,” said Markell Cox, NPHC president. “Whether it be through philanthropic efforts, academic enhancement or social engagement, we are committed to making an impactful and lasting change both on campus and within the NWA community.”
The United Greek Council received the Council Impact Award through their efforts within social and cultural awareness, civic and philanthropic engagement, and campus and community relations. “This award is proof that although small in membership, our impact is being made. I am thankful to receive such an honor and look forward to pushing the needle forward. We truly have a desire to enrich both our campus and local community,” said Alexa Gaucin, UGC president.
