Students and organizations affiliated with Fraternity and Sorority Life recently received regional and national accolades for outstanding contributions to Greek life at Clemson University and impact on the local community.
Clemson’s Interfraternity Council (IFC) earned a pair of awards. Clemson was one of six universities from “Power Four” conferences to earn the Outstanding Community Impact award from the North American Interfraternity Conference. Alabama, Arizona, Kansas State, TCU and Virginia Tech were the others. The award recognizes Interfraternity Councils who participate in and provide opportunities for meaningful community outreach, service and actively engage campus and community partners.
“IFC put its values into action,” says Gary Wiser, assistant dean of students and director of Fraternity and Sorority Life. “Following the devastating impact of Hurricane Helene, IFC officers wanted to support the community immediately. They worked with Mayor Robert Halfacre and Clemson Community Care to spearhead a donation drive along with the other Greek councils and Undergraduate Student Government. Their advocacy and desire to serve as the driving force behind this award.”
Through its donation drive, IFC helped collect more than 7,500 pounds of items to benefit the local community. Additionally, the North American Interfraternity Conference recognized Cole Gibson of Pi Kappa Alpha as one of its honorees for Outstanding IFC President. The accolade recognizes presidents whose leadership is a driving force for growth, positive change and interfraternalism. Gibson served as IFC president in 2024.
IFC was one of three governing councils — along with the College Panhellenic Association and National Pan-Hellenic Council — to also earn the Council Impact Award from the Southeastern Greek Leadership Association (SGLA). Council Impact Award recipients excel in social/cultural awareness, civic and philanthropic engagement, and campus/community relations. Clemson’s Multicultural Greek Council received certificates of excellence for cross-council collaborations and campus/community relations.
Clemson’s fraternity and sorority community grew to 6,825 students in Fall 2024. Fifty-one chapters combined for excellence inside and outside of the classroom. Overall, FSL members achieved a 3.504 cumulative GPA. Members combined for 40,000 hours of community service and raised more than $568,000 toward chapter philanthropies last semester as well.
“We have a grand vision for Clemson’s fraternity and sorority community, so it’s important for them to showcase their great work through regional conferences and through national governing boards,” Wiser says. “Our governing councils produce a lot of good work and have been collaborative in their programs, and it’s gratifying to see them recognized for the type of work we see every day as a staff.”
