Rose students earn Greek Awards

Special to the Tribune-Star

TERRE HAUTE April 29, 2007 12:05 am

— After reading a long list of Jennifer Frey’s accomplishments at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology during the past four years, fellow Chi Omega sorority member Megan Ulery wondered “There are still 24 hours in a day aren’t there?”
Trying to get the most out of life helped Frey and 10 other seniors in receiving Greek Leadership Awards for their dedication to their fraternity and sorority chapters, the college and Terre Haute community. The award dinner, sponsored by the Office of Student Affairs, featured a keynote address by Rose-Hulman President Gerald Jakubowski, a former president of the national Triangle fraternity for engineering and science students.
Students recognized have served as tutors for local middle-school students, helped with Hurricane Katrina relief efforts, served meals for Meals on Wheels, collected canned goods to fill local food pantries, and organized fundraising events for a long list of not-for-profit organizations.
At Rose-Hulman, this year’s Greek Leadership Award winners were distinguished Army ROTC cadets, dean’s list students, cheerleaders, resident halls assistants, and helped organize homecoming festivities.
And, for their Greek organizations, the students organized crews for home-improvement projects, hosted bible study and test review sessions, and helped educate future members about their organizations.
“These students’ contributions were and are essential to the quality of life in our Greek community. They bring out the best in all of us, help us face our challenges, and assist us in keeping our focus on what we face in the future,” stated Tom Miller, associate dean of students.
This year’s Greek Leadership Awards winners were:
Brent Covele, Pi Kappa Alpha: Served as scholarship chairman for the chapter, volunteers to lead other chapter activities and organized a team that participated in an Anchor Splash fundraising event. The senior physics major from Greenwood is a member of the Pi Mu Epsilon mathematics honor fraternity and has been on the dean’s list for every quarter in college.
Scott Decker, Lambda Chi Alpha: Recently completing a term as chapter president, the senior computer science major from Avon Lake, Ohio, has helped reinvigorate the chapter and increase spirit among members and alumni. He helped organize weekend work crews that completed several improvements to the chapter’s house. The chapter also contributed 1,200 pounds of food to Terre Haute’s Lighthouse Mission from this year’s North American Food Drive.
Jennifer Frey, Chi Omega: As recruitment chairwoman, Frey helped educate members about the sorority’s values and role on campus. Leading by example, the senior chemical engineering major from Harrison, Ohio, has served as a resident assistant for two years, executive director and vice president of the Student Government Association and co-captain of the cheerleading squad.
Keith Godin, Theta Xi: Has served as president and senior house leader for the fraternity. “Keith takes responsibility seriously and gets his work done. His organizational skills and motivation have led us,” stated member Matthew Hein. Godin is a senior computer engineering major from Prescott, Wis.
Brandon Hathaway, Sigma Nu: Was recognized after serving as chapter president, house manager and alumni relations officer during the past four years. The senior mechanical engineering major from Huron, S.D., also organized Sigma Nu members to participate in Rose-Hulman’s Bikes for Tykes project, served as a judge for the West Central Indiana Science & Engineering Fair, helped build a playground for a local community center and is a member of the Blue Key National Honor Society and American Society of Engineering Education.
Matthew Kivett, Alpha Tau Omega: Has volunteered to deliver food and supplies to homebound elderly persons through the Meals on Wheels program, sang for residents at local nursing homes and organized bible study sessions as ATO chaplain in 2005. The senior software engineering major from New Palestine is a member of the Upsilon Pi Epsilon software engineering honor fraternity and Blue Key honor society.
Stephen Lewis, Triangle: Served as the fraternity’s pledge class president, sergeant-at-arms, community service chairman, and executive committee secretary. He helped organize a Students Against Destructive Decisions Games event for local middle-school students. The senior applied biology major from Canton, Ohio, has also been president of Rose-Hulman’s Student Alumni Association and Blue Key honor society, organizing homecoming and community events; been treasurer for the National Society of Black Engineers chapter; and served as manager for the women’s soccer team.
Abigail Rebhorn, Delta Delta Delta: As philanthropy chairwoman, she expanded the number of fundraising activities organized by the chapter with the addition of a campus trivia night and Penny Wars event. A Teeter-Totter-A-Thon also was organized to support the Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis. The senior applied biology major from Ridgefield, Conn., also serves as a member of the Office of Admissions’ A-Team, which organizes campus visits for prospective students and their families.
Ryan Robinson, Phi Gamma Delta: Has served as scholarship chairman, participated in chapter outreach that helped in Hurricane Katrina relief efforts near Slidell, La., and assisted in activities for Trees Inc., Bikes for Tykes, Happiness Bag and Lighthouse Mission. The senior civil engineering major from Danville, Ind., has been the distinguished cadet in Rose-Hulman’s Army ROTC battalion, named the Civil Engineering Department’s “Star Student,” earned Academic All-American honors as a football player and earned varsity letters on the golf team.
Jordan Wysong, Delta Sigma Phi: Organized the fraternity’s successful 24-hour basketball marathon fundraising activity for March of Dimes and served as the chapter’s former house manager, coordinating restoration of the building’s second-floor living quarters. The senior mechanical engineering major from Pana, Ill., also attended Delta Sigma Phi’s national convention and served as a good friend for all chapter members.
Jesseca Zapf, Alpha Omicron Pi: Played a key role in the formation of a third sorority on campus, from forming a sorority interest group to reviewing possible national affiliate organizations to becoming the chapter’s president. The senior mechanical engineering major from Dayton, Ohio, has maintained relations with AOP’s international headquarters throughout the colonization process, which will culminate in May with the chapter’s formal installation. Zapf has helped establish Rose-Hulman’s ballroom dance club and competition dance team.
Rose-Hulman and community persons that serve as Greek advisers also were recognized for their dedication to their chapters and members.