Two Greek Kent State chapters were recognized as the top grade performers for fall 2014.

For the Panhellenic council, Delta Zeta was awarded the highest overall GPA, which was an average of 3.25. As for the Interfraternity Council, Sigma Chi had the highest GPA with a 3.14.

Delta Zeta has won best grades for three consecutive semesters in the past and is excited to have earned the title again. Out of their 171 members, 40 percent made the Dean’s list.

The Panhellenic Council requires members of their sororities to have a minimum GPA of 2.5. However, Delta Zeta raised their requirement to a 2.7 last semester. Typically, during recruitment, they will not take girls that have a GPA below a 3.0.

Delta Zeta was congratulated by the Panhellenic Council at its first meeting of the semester Wednesday night for its hard work. Champaigne Powell, academics chairman for Panhellenic Council, noted the importance of recognizing academic excellence in Greek life.

“It’s important to recognize who is putting in the most work into academics because that is the main reason we are all here. We just happened to join Greek Life too,” Powell said.

Brianna McCaskey, academics chair for Delta Zeta, is responsible for making sure that all members meet the required GPA and encourages her sisters to raise their grades with weekly study tables.

“There is a running joke that DZ controls the second floor of the library because at any time of the night you can find a sister studying there,” McCaskey said. “It’s an honor to be part of an organization that values grades so much.”

Likewise, Sigma Chi has taken pride in the motivation they give each other as brothers, said Jim Gross, scholarship chairman for Sigma Chi. The fraternity found itself on the ideas of friendship, justice and learning. They came into the semester motivated and ready to push each other to work harder.

Gross said the brothers make sure that there is good communication regarding academics. All the brothers took their competitive drive and split up into teams to see who could receive the best grades. He said he pushes his brothers to help one another with their homework and make sure they put their grades first.

“Being a top performer tells me that hard work pays off,” Gross said. “This isn’t something we each did on our own. This is something we earned as a group.”

Contact Zabrina Hvostal at [email protected].