Sorority receives overall honor

Greek Life named Delta Sigma Theta, a Black sorority, Greek Life Overall Excellence Chapter of the Year for 2006 – 2007. The sorority has also received the honor of National Panhellenic Chapter of the Year.

John Mountz, director of Greek Life, said this is only the second year the Greek Life Overall Excellence Chapter of the Year award has been bestowed. He said the award was designed once Greek Life decided to apply a standards program in 2004-2005.

“As soon as we implemented [the standards program] we started giving out awards based on that,” he said.

According to Mycah Wilson, president of Delta Sigma Theta, Greek Life named the sorority National Panhellenic Chapter of the Year for the past four years.

However, this past October, Delta Sigma Theta received a new honor when it was named Greek Life Overall Excellence Chapter of Year.

“This is the first time we actually received the award for overall chapter of the year,” Wilson, a senior in biomedical engineering, said.

Wilson said she is excited about what the honor represents to her sorority.

“[We are] very thrilled and just happy that our dedication toward the community had been recognized,” Wilson said.

Shelly Dobek, associate director of Greek Life, said the award is given based on 10 of standards of Greek Life.

Dobek said the sorority exceeded in seven categories, met the standards in two categories and conditionally met one category.

“[Everything] as far as educational programs, turning in budgets, being active on campus as leaders, they met or exceeded,” Dobek said.

Students and alumni involved with Delta Sigma Theta noted the honor and the influence the award will have on the image of the sorority.

Malikah Mustata, former member of Delta Sigma Theta, said as a graduated member of the sorority, she feels elated about the award.

“It’s an honor because it just shows we’re just overall succeeding and we overall make a difference at N.C. State,” she said.

Deandra Duggans, vice president of Delta Sigma Theta, agreed with Mustata.

“It’s great to be an example for others,” Duggans, a senior in parks, recreation and tourism management, said.

Current and former members of Delta Sigma Theta said they saw the award as a source of inspiration.

Ashley Springs, former member of Delta Sigma Theta, said the award serves as motivation to continue striving for success on campus.

Wilson said she also saw the award as a drive to continue to “serve the community with excellence,” because she said the sorority believes public service is very important.

“[The honor] just makes you want to work harder and do better,” Duggans said.

According to Dobek, an overall excellence award goes to one fraternity and one sorority each year.

Members saw Delta Sigma Theta’s recognition as a product of hard work and dedication.

Natasha Carter, special events chair of Delta Sigma Theta, said the honor allows fellow students to see the sorority’s hard work and presents a clear idea of “exactly what [the] sorority is about.”

“It has given us the recognition that we’ve worked hard to obtain,” Carter, a junior in psychology, said.

Mustata said the sorority is very active in the community and on campus.

“[Delta Sigma Theta is] very involved — very deserving of that award,” she said.