K-State achievements--2004 Student groups

Kansas State University achievements

2004 Student groups

* The K-State chapter of Alpha Tau Omega fraternity received the Top Chapter Award for the sixth time in seven years at the fraternity's 76th Congress this summer in Atlanta. The Top Chapter Award was created in 1998 to recognize the most outstanding chapter of Alpha Tau Omega in the nation. The K-State chapter received the award in 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002 and again this year. They were national runner-up in 2003. The fraternity was also recognized for the most outstanding communications with the presentation of the Joseph R. Anderson Gold Award; for being one of 25 outstanding chapters with the True Merit Award; for outstanding social service with the Ross Impact Special Mention Award; and for outstanding scholarship with the Excellence in Scholarship Award. Brian M. King, junior in mechanical engineering from Iola, current chapter president, received the ATO Foundation Undergraduate Scholarship National Runner-Up Award. Overland Park residents Erik M. Rome, senior in finance and marketing, and a minor in leadership studies, and William H. Casper, senior in prelaw, history and political science, both received Foundation National At-Large Scholarship Awards. Andrew M. Newton, Stilwell, a May graduate in electrical engineering, received the Thomas Arkle Clark Award, which recognizes the most outstanding undergraduate in the nation. This is the fourth time in 10 years that a K-State ATO has received this award. October 2004

* The K-State chapter of Delta Chi fraternity returned from the 54th International Convention in Washington, D.C., with many awards. The K-State chapter received the Award of Excellence, the second highest award given to Delta Chi chapters. This is awarded for overall outstanding programming and performance, characterized by above average membership and strength in all the individual and performance areas. The fraternity also was recognized for Outstanding Alumni Newsletter, Outstanding Campus Leadership, Outstanding Chapter Scholarship, Outstanding Intramural Sports Program and Most Dollars Donated, Region IV (Midwest). September 2004

* K-State's student branch of the American Society of Agricultural Engineers was presented the 2004 Annual Association of Equipment Manufacturers Competition Cup at the American Society of Agricultural Engineers International Annual Meeting Aug. 1-4, in Ottawa, Canada. This cup is awarded each year to the student branch of the association that the judges think has the most outstanding record of activities and achievements for the year. This award means that K-State's biological and agricultural engineering students have the best student organization in the U.S. and Canada among the more than 47 ASAE-affiliated departments. The K-State Fountain Wars team beat out 12 other teams to take home the first place trophy for the 2004 American Society of Agricultural Engineers Gunlogson Environmental Student Design Competition. August 2004

* K-State's chapter of Mortar Board, a national college senior honor society, has received the 2004 Ruth Weimer Mount Chapter Excellence Award. The honor is presented to the top Mortar Board chapter in the nation. Mortar Board has 212 collegiate chapters. The K-State chapter was cited for its children's reading project, multicultural recruitment efforts and many other projects focusing on leadership, scholarship and service. August 2004

* The K-State Order of Omega was announced as the 2004 national chapter of the year at the recent Mid-American Greek Council Association conference in Chicago. The conference involved more than 120 colleges and universities and had nearly 1,600 attendees. The K-State chapter received an award of $1,000 from the national organization. Selection for the award was based on the chapter's programming, impact on the local community, diversity and academic performance. The K-State chapter has 57 members and a cumulative grade point average of 3.612. Order of Omega is a leadership honor society for the top 1 percent of leaders in K-State's fraternities and sororities. Selection is based on demonstrated leadership, scholarship and service. April 2004

* Aaron Siders, senior in marketing at Kansas State University, Wichita, received the North-American Interfraternity Conference 2004 Undergraduate Award of Distinction, also known as the "Ironman Trophy." Siders was presented the award at the conference's award dinner April 25 in Washington, D.C. He was one of only seven individuals chosen nationally for the distinction. Selection for the award was based on the candidates' overall leadership and excellence in the advancement of fraternity ideals, according to the conference. Individuals were nominated by fraternities, campus advisers and other undergraduates. According to its mission, the conference is a national body focused on "advocating the needs of its member fraternities through enrichment of the fraternity experience, advancement and growth of the fraternity community and enhancement of the educational mission of the host institutions." The conference has approximately 350,000 undergraduate members located on 800 campuses throughout the United State and Canada. April 2004

* The K-State Interfraternity and Panhellenic Councils, which together make up the K-State Greek Council, were given high ratings at a recent Mid-American Greek Council Association conference in Chicago. The conference involved more than 120 schools in three different divisions and had nearly 1,600 attendees. Councils competed in eight different program areas: educational development; council management; academic achievement; philanthropy and community service; membership; recruitment; risk reduction and management; and self-governance and judicial affairs. Executive officers from both the Interfraternity and Panhellenic Councils compiled notebooks illustrating the council's performance in each of these areas. The notebooks were submitted and judged against established ideals of what makes a healthy and vibrant Greek system. The K-State Panhellenic Council, representing the 11 national sororities on campus, was a finalist in six of the eight program areas. It was also selected as a finalist for the Sutherland award, presented to the council that exhibits the healthiest Greek system in its division. The K-State Interfraternity Council, representing the 25 national fraternities on campus, was a finalist in all eight of the program areas. It was also awarded the Jellison award, which, much like the Sutherland award, recognizes the top council in its division. April 2004

*The Men's Glee Club at Kansas State University accepted its third invitation to participate in the Intercollegiate Men's Choruses National Seminar at Harvard University Thursday, March 11, through Saturday, March 13. The K-State group is one of 15 male choruses from across the nation selected to perform at the Festival of Men's Choruses. During this time conductors are given the opportunity to attend seminars discussing diverse subjects including Georgian music, expanding financial resources and fostering choral community. The K-State Men's Glee Club is directed by Gerald Polich, associate professor of music. March 2004