Greek members gathered together in their pin attire to honor academic achievement last night.

The Panhellenic and Interfraternity councils’ scholarship chairs handed out awards to the presidents of fraternities and sororities, last night at Eastway Dinning Hall.

It was both Meredith Jones’ and Tom DiMiero’s first year planning the Scholarship Banquet.

“The Greek community is usually swept up with all kinds of events,” said DiMiero, scholarship chair for Interfraternity Council. “Tonight is good to reward the chapter s academic achievements.”

Dean of Students Greg Jarvie and Center for Student Involvement Director Sheryl Smith attended the event.

“The Greek community does concentrate on grades,” said Jones, scholarship chair for the Panhellenic Council. “We want the community to help each other achieve academic excellence by encouraging each other.”

Kent State Banquet Services served a pasta dinner to the group, followed by the award ceremony.

This is the first year the councils are going to give out more awards, such as the New Member Award, Jones said.

“We have more awards to keep the Greek community motivated,” Jones said. “To say keep working, don’t give up.”

Awards were given out to the top three sororities and top three fraternities for best grades for the spring 2006 semester.

Delta Zeta and Delta Lambda Phi won the Best Cumulative Average.

The Most Improved Cumulative Average went to Phi Sigma Kappa and Delta Zeta.

Jones said she took the fall 2005 cumulative averages of each chapter and compared them to the end of spring 2006 cumulative averages. The chapter with the biggest difference won, she said.

Delta Gamma and Sigma Nu won the New Member award.

“Delta Zeta swept the sororities by winning four of the five awards,” Jones said.

Contact Greek life reporter Jessica Parmelee at [email protected].