Contact: Rachael Paul, graduate adviser for the Greek community, (517) 827-2778; or Kristin K. Anderson, University Relations, (517) 353-8819, ander284@msu.edu
6/24/2004
EAST LANSING, Mich. � The Michigan State University Greek community has recognized five members for leadership and contributions to the community.
Recipients each received a plaque honoring their contributions to the Greek system for being named InterFraternity Council Greek Man of the Year, Pan-Hellenic Council Greek Woman of the Year, Greek Academic Man of the Year, Greek Academic Woman of the Year or Fourth Greek Independent Council (4GIC) Leader of the Year.
The chapters, the executive councils and advisers nominated the students. Nominees were interviewed and selected by a Greek selection committee.
�Being a member of the Greek community has many benefits,� said Rachael Paul, the graduate adviser for the Greek community. �Students receive leadership development, academic achievement and community service opportunities, as well as many friendships and a meaningful connection to MSU.�
Anthony Morabito of Dearborn, son of Michael and Rosanne Morabito, received the award for InterFraternity Council Greek Man of the Year. He is a 1998 graduate of Dearborn High School.
�I was honored to receive the award,� Morabito said. �There are a lot of very bright and dedicated members of the Greek community at MSU.�
Morabito was the president of Sigma Phi Epsilon and the MSU InterFraternity Council. He also was a student chairperson on the Union Advisory Board. He graduated in May with a degree in civil engineering with an environmental option and environmental studies and applications.
�Being a part of the Greek community at MSU has opened my eyes to many interpersonal experiences that cannot be gained in the classroom,� Morabito said. �There are an infinite number of ways to get involved in and around the community to help build character and improve leadership skills that will impact you for the rest of your life.�
Carrie Dietiker of Elburn, Ill., daughter of Michael and Kathleen Dietiker, received the award for the Pan-Hellenic Council Greek Woman of the Year. She is a 2000 graduate from Rosary High School.
�I was thrilled and honored to receive the award,� Dietiker said. �I had put so much effort into the Greek community and MSU. It was awesome to be recognized for all of my hard work and dedication.�
She is majoring in finance and is on the dean�s list. She is a member of the Associated Students of MSU (ASMSU) funding board and the Students Consulting for Non-profits. She was the Student Class Council�s commencements co-chairperson.
Dietiker is a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma, and she acted as its president and assistant Pan-Hellenic delegate and was on their standards and scholarship committee. She also was vice president of administration for the Pan-Hellenic Council. She was named Greek Woman of the Year in 2003.
Christopher Moore of Clarkston, son of Allan and Christine Moore, received the award for Greek Academic Man of the Year. He is a 2002 graduate from Clarkston High School.
�I am proud because I was acknowledged for my intellectual capabilities,� Moore said. �I hope that all students who thrive academically will be awarded similarly.�
Moore is a volunteer for Clarkston Medical Group, the American Cancer Society, Make a Wish Foundation and the National Arthritis Foundation. He tutored students in various subjects at Clarkston High School.He is a member of the Osteopathic Medical Scholars Program and the chairperson of recruitment, philanthropy and public relations for Tau Kappa Epsilon. He majored in medical technology, pre-medical in the Lyman Briggs School of Science.
�I joined the Greek community because of the thousands of people you have the opportunity to meet,� Moore said.
Whitney Luke of Springfield, Ill., daughter of Michael and Robyn Luke, received the award for Greek Academic Woman of the Year. She is a 2000 graduate of Springfield High School.
�I was very excited about receiving the award,� Luke said. �Academics are very important to me, and I am proud of what I have accomplished. The award was a nice recognition for the time and effort I put into everything.�
Luke is a member of the Honors College and Gamma Sigma Alpha, the Greek Honors Fraternity. She received the 2004 Recruitment Counselor of the Year Award for the Greek Community, the National Honors College Scholarship, the Lisa Ann Cornelius Scholarship and the McCortney Foundation Scholarship. She was a course assistant for kinesiology and graduated with a degree in kinesiology in May.
Luke is a member of the Gamma Phi Beta sorority, and she acted as its financial vice president and unity chair. Within the Greek community, she was associate director of administration for Greek Week 2004 and recruitment counselor.
�Belonging to a Greek organization allowed me to experience many things that I would not have the opportunity to do otherwise,� Luke said. �I was able to participate in different philanthropic events that benefit the community, such as Greek Week. The Greek community�s participation and effort raised more than $140,000 for various charities. One of the most important impacts of being a Greek is realizing how a small group of people can make a huge difference.�
Marlene Ocampo Baranda of Roseville, daughter of Marlon and Gilda Baranda, received the Fourth Greek Independent Council (4GIC) Leader of the Year award. She was a 1999 graduate from Roseville High School.
�Everything I did for my chapter and for the 4GIC was enjoyable, and I never thought of it as �work,�� Baranda said. �Receiving the award was a pleasure because it helped put my last four years in perspective and helped me realize that I did give back to my community.�
Baranda is majoring in biology and education and expects to graduate in August. She is an active member of the Asian Pacific American Student Organization, a mentor at Eastern High School in Lansing and a volunteer for various philanthropic events. She traveled to Italy through MSU�s travel abroad program.
For 2003-04, Baranda served as the secretary of the 4GIC and the president of her chapter, Alpha Kappa Delta Phi. In past years, she served as vice president of internal relations, vice president of external relations, social chairperson, financial officer and secretary of her chapter.
�Being a Greek opened up many possibilities for me,� Baranda said. �It has given me support, love and a family at MSU. By joining my house, I was given the opportunity to volunteer for various philanthropies, learn about my culture, excel in academics and expand my horizons by meeting sisters across the nation.�
For more information about MSU�s Greek community, visit the Web at www.gogreek.msu.edu