The Office of Fraternity & Sorority Affairs is proud to recognize individuals and organizations on their outstanding accomplishments during the 2020-2021 academic year. Though the past year has certainly posed unexpected obstacles and challenges, our community has shown true leadership and demonstrated what it means to be members of Greek letter organizations.
Though we could not celebrate in person, OFSA moved forward with Fraternity and Sorority Leadership Awards in our second virtual celebration! We are proud to recognize the following individual and organizational award recipients.
Individual Awards
Greek Leader of the Year
This award recognizes individuals for their achievements and contributions to the fraternity and sorority community and larger campus community. Leadership is not limited to those holding positions, therefore consideration will be given to individuals who exemplify many, if not all, of the values of brotherhood or sisterhood, strong character, leadership, scholarship, and service in their daily lives.
Outstanding IFC/Panhellenic/CGC President of the Year
Awarded to the chapter president who has demonstrated superior leadership and service to his/her chapter, as well as to the fraternity and sorority community. This leader is one who consistently represents their organizational values, communicates a clear vision for success, and leaves their organization in a better place than when they took office.
Emerging Leader of the Year
Awarded to a newer member of the fraternity and sorority community who has shown leadership characteristics within their peer group, fraternity and sorority community, and greater Lehigh community. These members are enthusiastic about their experience as new members and are eager to pursue leadership opportunities and bring about positive change to the fraternity and sorority community.
Advisor of the Year
This award recognizes the extraordinary efforts of an advisor who has helped to positively shape the experiences of fraternity/sorority members. Advisors willingly, often without receiving anything in return, give of themselves to contribute to overall chapter excellence, daily operations, university and headquarters relations, and role modeling through leadership, and thus we encourage nominations for any advisor whom you feel is worthy of this distinction. Nominators should indicate whether the nominee advisor is an alumni or faculty/staff advisor, so that we can recognize and thank the advisors for their contributions from these distinct roles.
Tradition of Excellence
This award is presented to one or more individuals who consistently exceed expectations in one or more of the following focus areas for college students and active fraternity/sorority members. This award is intended to affirm the efforts an individual can make in one area that was deserving of significant focus, or in several areas that showcase their ability to impact a community in several ways. Nominators should identify the appropriate focus areas for which they believe the nominee should be recognized (listing is appropriate), and provide examples for each area of, to ensure recognition is given for all selected areas:
Living the Ritual; Inclusive Leadership; Empowering Others; Inspiring Change
Organization Awards
Fraternity/Sorority Chapter of the Year
This award is given to a chapter that excels in all of the following areas: Leadership and Member Development, Organizational Operations, Community Service and Engagement, and Academic and Intellectual Advancement. In addition, this chapter has positively contributed to both fraternity and sorority life as well as the Lehigh community. This chapter served as role models for their fellow members and led by example.
Outstanding Philanthropic Effort
This award is given to an organization that has gone above and beyond in supporting a cause, effort, or agency in a sustainable and meaningful way. This is typically represented by groups who recognize the nature of philanthropy as efforts to raise both awareness and support (e.g. financial, goods, time, and energy), while collaborating with others for a shared purpose. Efforts that are distinguished in this category can be either ongoing or one-time programs.
Commitment to Service
This award recognizes meaningful service efforts and action where participants gain exposure, develop an understanding, and respond to the needs of the community voice. This typically includes building and developing positive relationships, developing active citizens, and incorporating reflection. These criteria, when established and achieved, are indicative of dedicated efforts to create and inspire sustainable change. Efforts that are distinguished in this category can be either ongoing or one-time programs.
Program of Distinction
This award is given to an organization that is proud of a particularly successful event, program, or effort they executed in the past academic year. Consideration will be given to those efforts that incorporated collaboration, innovation, and/or education components as well as addressed a problem and/or met a need.
Most Improved
This award is given in recognition of the efforts an organization has taken to address a substantial challenge or issues they were/are facing. Change can be hard and waiting for the effects can feel slow, so this award was established with that in mind; this award is meant to affirm the actions an organization has taken and remind them that all the hard work is worth it. Nominations for this award should include identification of the particular need to be addressed, examples of action taken to create change, and reflection on the improvement that has been observed.
Tradition of Excellence
This award is presented to an organization that excels in one or more of the foundation areas of success for fraternities and sororities. This award is intended to affirm the efforts an organization can make in one area that is deserving of significant focus, or in several areas that showcase their ability to multitask, delegate, and impact a community in a significant way. Nominators should identify the appropriate focus areas for which they believe the nominee organization(s) should be recognized (listing is appropriate), and provide examples for each area of, to ensure recognition is given for all selected areas:
Living the Ritual; Inclusive Leadership; Empowering Others; Inspiring Change
We would also like to recognize and thank the numerous staff, alumni, and students that served on the Fraternity & Sorority Leadership Awards Selection Committee - this is possible because of you!