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.”
More recognition was awarded throughout the night, as the AR Panhellenic Council was awarded the Dr. Lori Hart Panhellenic Council of the Year award for the second consecutive year and also received honors for Council Impact and Community Cultivation.
“Being named the Panhellenic Council of the Year is an absolute honor,” said Katherine Ford, president of the Panhellenic Council and a member of the 2023 executive board. “This is a testament to the quality, dedication, sisterhood and unwavering support that exists within our Panhellenic Community. This recognition means so much not just for our council, but for every woman who makes up our community.”
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.
Throughout the year, the Greek Life staff helps to develop and implement educational and social programming for chapters and its members. Educational initiatives include, but are not limited to, scholarship, career readiness skills, inclusion and belonging, risk management, health and wellness, time management, student retention and success, and leadership development.
“The work we do is not easy and is often misunderstood by many,” Bowser said. “However, our staff sacrifices so much, by pouring into students and their programs. This also includes promoting academic excellence in all facets of their leadership involvement and development. This huge achievement truly demonstrates that our hard work is worth it. The leaders we make, the relationships we build and the skills they develop equip them for their future careers. This is what student success is all about and why UA Greek Life is such a vibrant and national award-winning community!”
Several others from the university’s administration had warm regards to share, as it relates to the recent accomplishment.
“Congratulations to our Greek Councils for demonstrating how we can be better together,” said Melissa Harwood-Rom, associate vice chancellor and dean of students. “This concept has always been a tenet of Greek Life leadership at Arkansas. If Assistant Vice Chancellor (Parice) Bowser has said it once, she has said it a thousand times: ‘In Greek Life, we work together.’ I could not be more pleased that these students have been rewarded and recognized for their shared success.”
“My heartiest congratulations to our UA Greek Life community on these recognitions and the honor of Community of Year,” said Jeremy Battjes, vice chancellor for student affairs. “I’m grateful the Southeastern Greek Leadership Association recognized outstanding achievements from all four of our councils. The students and staff work tirelessly throughout the year to provide a sense of community that enables students to thrive and realize success as a member of the UA community and as an academic scholar.”
A version of this story ran in Arkansas News.