Kappa Delta Epsilon sorority and Alpha Theta coed fraternity walked away from the ceremony tied in first place for the prestigious O'Connor Award, granted to the organization that exemplifies the most outstanding scholarship, leadership and service, inclusivity, brotherhood-sisterhood and accountability, according to an Office of Residential Life brochure. This is the first year that two organizations tied for the award, according to Deb Carney, director of Coed, Fraternity and Sorority Administration.
"Both were so exceptional in each of the principles that we had to pick co-winners," she said.
KDE led the field in accountability, and was recognized for hosting an alcohol-free dance party to promote awareness of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. Alpha Theta came in first in the leadership category for holding yearly officer retreats and creating officer manuals.
Alpha Theta is the first coed house to receive the award since the Order of Omega was established 20 years ago, Carney said.
Delta Delta Delta sorority was recognized at the ceremony for the organization's promotion of scholarship through newsletters and mock job interviews. Kappa Kappa Kappa fraternity was commended for organizing the community easter egg hunt, and Sigma Nu fraternity was acknowledged for holding the highest GPA of all Sigma Nu chapters in the nation.
Order of Omega presented Kate Robb '08, a member of Alpha Xi Delta sorority and president of the Panhellenic council, with the Greek Person of the Year Award. Robb was honored for her help in implementing a new sorority recruitment process and for holding several leadership positions within AZD.
Robb said she aims to unite the fragmented Greek organizations.
"In the last three years I've seen cohesion not only within [house councils] but between councils," she said.
Robb added that she is appreciative of Order of Omega for shedding light on the great things Greek organizations are doing.
"Service hours and scholarship aren't things that people make a big deal about," she said. "The Omega awards let you know who has been doing great things within the Greek community."
Brenna O'Neill '08, former president of KDE, won the President of the Year Award, and was commended for her efforts to promote and develop relationships between women on campus. Members of KDE, who nominated O'Neill for the award, said O'Neill is "conscientious, kind, empathetic, organized and a great leader and friend."
O'Neill said she enjoys the opportunity the award ceremony provides to learn about what other organizations have been up to.
"It can be difficult for the Dartmouth community to see all that sororities and fraternities do beyond the social aspect," she said.
The Order of Omega was established in 1959 and instituted its Lamda Rho chapter at Dartmouth in 1991.
Various students and the board of the order collaborate to nominate, select winners and coordinate the event.
"It is student centered with support from the administration in guidance and financial incentives," Carney said.
