After sororities and fraternities participated in more than a week of events for Greek Week 2005, overall winners were announced on Wednesday at the Greek Week Awards Banquet.

Alpha Phi, last year’s Greek Week champion, claimed the title in the sorority division again this year, and Sigma Pi took the honors for the fraternity division.

Alpha Phi placed placed first in pyramids and tugs, and participated in everything, said Ali Stephans, president of the sorority.

“I think all the organizations put in a good effort and we just came out on top,” Stephans said. “I think we’ve started a good tradition and hopefully we can continue it in the years to come.”

Other awards were also announced at the banquet, including Greek Man and Woman of the Year. The woman and man that stand out above all the rest are Tara Coghlan of Sigma Kappa sorority and Danny Scheck of Sigma Pi fraternity.

“I was kind of surprised,” Scheck said. “All of the other candidates were very qualified.”

Scheck is currently ending his position as the Interfraternity Council vice president of membership development. He has also held positions such as the Junior Greek Council adviser as well as positions in his house dealing with membership development.

Scheck was also on this year’s Greek Week Steering Committee, was in charge of Tugs and other games that went on during the week and participates in many community service projects.

“I’m charismatic, and one of the main components of the award was an interview process,” Scheck said, adding that he tried to show the judges a bit of his own personality which gave him an edge, rather than simply showing them his accomplishments on paper.

Each chapter nominated an upperclassman candidate for the honor, and those candidates were interviewed by a panel of university faculty and staff. Next, speakers gave two-minute presentations explaining their candidate’s qualifications to the presidents of every chapter on campus, who voted for their top choices, said Bob Dudolski, director of Greek Life.

Finally, the candidates were judged on their applications by a panel of faculty and staff judges. The candidates were judged 60 percent on interviews, 10 percent on their applications and 30 percent on chapter presidents’ votes, Scheck said.

Tara Coghlan spoke in favor of Scheck, which Scheck said he appreciated.

“I heard she did a great job,” Scheck said. “That’s another reason why I think I did so well.”

New initiates as well as active members were recognized for their contributions to the Greek community.

Kelly O’Malley of Alpha Phi was named outstanding sorority new initiate.

“I’m very honored,” O’Malley said. “It was just something that caught me by surprise.”

O’Malley became involved with Junior Greek Council and was a delegate to Panhellenic Council for Alpha Phi. A bone-cancer survivor, she spoke at last year’s Relay for Life and got her sorority to participate in this year’s relay, which took place Friday and Saturday. Mitch Forney of Sigma Phi Epsilon was named outstanding fraternity new initiate.

“My competition was pretty tough so being named it was a great honor,” Forney said.

Forney is the new member educator for Sigma Phi Epsilon, and he is on the standards board.

The week after Forney’s initiation, he ran for an executive board position in the Interfraternity Council, the governing body of all the fraternities on campus. He has held positions in the council such as vice president of community service and vice president of membership development.

“Instead of being involved with (only) my house I went straight to the top,” Forney said.

Mary Kate Lobough of Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority was recognized for her work with community service and was given the outstanding community service award.

Three chapters and two members of their respective chapters were recognized for their fraternal values. They were Alpha Gamma Delta sorority in first, Alpha Sigma Alpha sorority in second, Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity in third, D’Anna Cepela of Sigma Kappa sorority in fourth and Nick Pinaire of Sigma Phi Epsilon in fifth place.

Greek Award Winners

– Greek Week Sorority Champion: Alpha Phi

– Greek Week Fraternity Champion: Sigma Pi

– Greek Woman of the Year: Tara Coghlan

– Greek Man of the Year: Danny Scheck

– Sorority Adviser of the Year: Ann Brownson

– Fraternity Adviser of the Year: Doug Dehority

– Sorority President of the Year: Jackie Engel

– Fraternity President of the Year: Dan Blair