UConn’s Panhellenic Council, which governs nine sorority chapters at the University of Connecticut, was awarded the College Panhellenic Excellence Award last week. The council received the award at the National Panhellenic Conference that took place Oct. 17 through 19. The award recognizes councils that have demonstrated outstanding contributions to all award criteria including academic innovation, community impact, leadership, recruitment, programming and marketing, according to the NPC website.
UConn was one of 12 schools to receive the award, out of 580 overall universities and colleges considered.
“[Receiving the award] shows the strength that we have built in the council over the past few years and shows how we grow with the changing world, practice diversity, equity, and inclusion, and counteract the stigmas that are typically drawn about us,” said Panhellenic Council President Katherine Bates, who is a fourth-year economics and statistics major.
The council watches over all nine sororities at UConn and encourages them to make positive impacts on the community. According to Bates, a main goal of the council is to destigmatize the somewhat negative associations regarding Greek life.
“Joining Panhellenic allowed me to build a professional network,” Bates said. “Without the leadership experience I gained through my sorority and the Panhellenic council, I wouldn’t have become as well connected with the University and involved in other clubs. The social relationships lead to professional relationships. Panhellenic brings out the best in people by learning social and professional skills and applying them to their academics and jobs.”
These efforts have caused an uptake in recent recruitment, with this year’s Panhellenic recruitment increasing by 47%, according to UConn’s Panhellenic Council. With the increase in recruitment, many students get to experience the benefits that come from Greek Life, according to Bates
The council’s Executive Vice President, Naomi Mathew, who is a third-year molecular and cell biology major, said she believes the Panhellenic community is a tight-knit group within UConn’s large student body.
“Every single connection in the Panhellenic community is true, which has shaped my experience. My life here would never be the same without my sorority chapter or this community, and I am so grateful to have found something that is greater than any degree,” Mathew said.
The Panhellenic community at UConn aims to build relationships among communities, offering leadership positions and networking opportunities, according to their website.
According to Mathew and Bates, “Being recognized on a national level not only acknowledges the outstanding achievements [of UConn’s sororities] but promotes the uplifting and inspiring community the Panhellenic council has built for undergraduate women on campus.”